The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has been preparing to microchip all dogs kept as pets by the metropolis’s residents.

Officials hope that microchipping the dogs will help pet owners locate their animals when they get lost. The measure also aims to hold owners accountable if they abandon their pets.

“Dog owners will have to pay the cost of microchips, which cost less than Rs 1,000,” said Dr Awadesh Jha, chief of the Agriculture and Veterinary Department of the KMC. “We are planning to start microchipping next week.”

Pet microchips are tiny devices that are inserted under a pet’s skin. Officials said that the chip can be scanned and information about the owner stored in the chip can be accessed easily.

Jha said that the measure would discourage owners from abandoning their pets when they get old or sick. Officials estimated that there are around 20,000 pet dogs in the 32 wards of the metropolis.

“Owners have to register their pets, administer anti-rabies vaccine and get permission from the local authority,” Jha said. “We will fine those who do not fulfil the procedures.”

The metropolis warned that it can slap a fine of up to Rs5,000 to the owners who release their pets on streets to defecate but do not clean it up afterwards.

The KMC has sterilised over 4,300 dogs in the last two months. Nine different organisations got in contact to sterilise the stray dogs. Around 12,000 dogs have been administered anti-rabies vaccine and the vaccination programme will continue, officials said.

The KMC has also set up a shelter where injured and violent stray dogs will be housed. Officials said that the metropolis has already constructed a shelter for around 50 dogs and has ordered shelter for an additional 100 dogs.