In a pioneering effort, 100 stray dogs in Kharghar were equipped with QR codes on Sunday, October 8th, to provide them with a unique identity and enhance their safety. Similar to how a school ID card holds vital information about a child, these QR codes contain details such as the dog's name, vaccination and sterilization status, and the identity of their feeder. The QR codes were securely attached to the scruff of each dog's neck within a span of two and a half hours.

This initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of local dog feeders, led by animal activist Seema Tank, with the support of Pawfriend.in and the Rotaract Club of Smart City Navi Mumbai. It marks the first instance in Navi Mumbai where such QR codes have been used to benefit stray dogs, following a similar initiative for stray dogs at the Mumbai Airport.

Speaking about the initiative, Seema Tank, an animal activist, emphasized its success, saying, "The QR code tag collar drive held on October 8th for Kharghar strays was a resounding success, following the similar drive at Mumbai Airport. This citizen-led effort aimed to protect approximately 100 fur babies. We conducted this initiative as a pre-emptive measure, especially with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Kharghar in October for the inauguration of Navi Mumbai Metro. With heightened security during his visit, there was a concern that stray dogs might be picked up. These QR code collars will provide the dogs with a unique identity, akin to the Aadhaar card for humans. Moreover, these collars are reflective and will help protect strays from night time traffic accidents."

Tank further explained, "Once scanned, these QR codes provide information about the dog's name, age, location, vaccination, and sterilization status. This drive was organized in partnership with Akshay Ridlan's NGO, Pawfriend.in, with the valuable assistance of Dr. Projesh Mukherjee, President of the Rotaract Club of Smart City Navi Mumbai."

Akshay Ridlan, the founder of Pawfriend.in, who played a key role in developing the QR codes, stated, "Seema and I have been collaborating for over five years. I initially connected with her through dog rescues in Navi Mumbai. Seema and her fellow dog feeders raised funds to enable us to attach QR codes to 100 dogs in Kharghar."

He added, "These QR codes serve as a vital tool for identifying dogs. Seema informed me of Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to Kharghar in October. During the G20 summit, stray dogs in Delhi were picked up, and it was challenging to determine their place of origin upon release. Our QR codes address this issue by tagging dogs and providing information about their location, offering an effective means of identification for each dog."

Dr. Projesh Mukherjee, President of the Rotaract Club of Smart City Navi Mumbai, explained their role in supporting the initiative, stating, "The club contributed by procuring 85 to 100 collars. Akshay's innovative QR codes had to be affixed to these collars, which were then placed around the necks of the stray dogs. A team of seven to ten volunteers from the Rotaract club, in collaboration with local dog feeders, worked diligently to attach the collars to stray dogs. The initiative took us approximately two and a half hours, and we covered areas around Hiranandani and Three Star Hotel, as well as adjacent localities in Kharghar."