I live in Mumbai, so Mumbai is the reference point here, but this is not a Mumbai problem; it is a national pet governance failure playing out as everyday pet chaos in our cities. From Delhi to Bengaluru and Pune to Chennai, Indian cities are one outstanding example of modern civic philosophy: Regulate everything badly, then act surprised when chaos follows.

We regulate shop signs, parking, garbage bins, balconies, noise, food carts, language, and building setbacks. But when it comes to pets, rules are optional, data is cruelty, and enforcement is anti-animal. And this is not necessarily about stray animals.

Take pet licensing. In theory, every city wants responsible pet ownership. In practice, many portals for such licences behave like spiritual tests of detachment—apply for renewal, wait, payment pending, try to pay, approval is required first, return after enlightenment, and repeat ten times in twenty-five days. This is not just about a broken portal; it is what pet governance failure looks like in practice—confusion, delay, and eventual non-compliance. May be, in this instance, municipal systems have decided to follow Osho, who rightly pointed out that confusion can be a method of control.

If the government wants pet lovers and pet parents to be serious about pets, it has to be serious about pet control; licensing should be simple, fast and mandatory; vaccination a must; collars definite; leash walking a must; and certain........

© Free Press Journal