Chennai: The GCC’s annual budget has earmarked funds for Chennai’s furry friends, with Rs 25 lakh being directed towards building a dedicated 24×7 emergency trauma care centre for injured pets at Kannammapet in T Nagar. The number of doctors and crew is yet to be decided for the unit which will be equipped with facilities like electrocardiogram (ECG), X-ray, and ultrasonography machines, said GCC veterinary officer Kamal Hussain. A burial facility for deceased pets will also be set up at Moolakothalam crematorium in North Chennai. Apart from this, pet clinics will be established in 10 zones, and a mass vaccination and deworming drive for 1.8 lakh street dogs will be carried out at a cost of Rs 3 crore. The veterinary officer informed that around 68,000 dogs were vaccinated in the previous drives, and that at least 1,000 dogs will be vaccinated every day. The Corporation has also allocated Rs 15 lakh to set up pet clinics near every animal birth control centre in Thiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Tondiarpet, Alandur, Adyar, and other zones under GCC. Dr Hussain pointed out that awareness campaigns will be conducted to inform people about the importance of the vaccination drives with zone-specific announcements.