Ahmedabad: When pets leave this world, they take with them a piece of their family’s heart. For many, the only solace lies in giving their beloved companions a dignified farewell — a final act of gratitude for years of unconditional love. At Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s CNG-fired crematorium in Behrampura, which became operational earlier this year, 108 dogs have been laid to rest so far. Looking at the growing number of pet owners, and the convenience the current facility offers, AMC’s CNC department has now decided to build two additional crematoriums — one in the city’s eastern part and another in the west — at a combined cost of Rs 60 lakh. Tenders have already been floated, officials said. Among the dogs cremated was Tiger, belonging to Ramchandra Vaghela, a sanitary sub-inspector with AMC’s cattle nuisance control department. The family received Tiger’s ashes in an earthen urn — a ritual that brought ache and closure. Later, the family immersed the ashes at Narayan Ghat along the Sabarmati Riverfront.Pet owners from Gandhinagar, Rajkot, and even Udaipur have travelled to the Behrampura facility, choosing it for their furry companions’ final send-off. In memory of their pets, so far 32 families have made financial contributions totalling Rs 1.06 lakh to AMC.According to officials, 19,347 pet dogs have been registered with AMC by 17,017 owners, with registration papers required at the time of booking a cremation slot. Built to meet strict health and environmental norms, the current facility includes a chamber large enough to cremate three dogs at once, with both primary and secondary chambers ensuring odourless, clean cremations.
