Why Every City Needs an Animal Ambulance Network

When a person is injured in a road accident, emergency services can be contacted. Ambulances, hospitals and trained medical personnel form part of an established emergency response system.

But what happens when the victim is a dog hit by a vehicle, a cat trapped in a drain or a cow suffering from a serious injury?

In many Indian cities, the person who discovers the animal must begin searching for help independently.

This is why animal ambulance networks should be considered an essential part of urban infrastructure.

The problem with emergency animal rescue

Animal emergencies are unpredictable.

An injured dog may be unable to move. A cat may be trapped on a rooftop. A bird may suffer from a fractured wing. A cow may collapse in the middle of a busy road.

In such situations, time matters.

However, people frequently encounter several obstacles:

• They do not know which organisation to contact.
• Rescue numbers may be unavailable or unanswered.
• Transportation may not be accessible.
• The nearest veterinary facility may lack emergency services.
• The animal may be too large or injured to move safely.
• There may be confusion about who is responsible for the rescue.

These delays can worsen an animal's condition.

What should an animal ambulance network provide?

An effective network requires more than a vehicle carrying an animal.

It should include several interconnected services.

1. A central emergency helpline

Residents should have access to a reliable number for reporting animal emergencies. Calls should be recorded, prioritised and directed to the appropriate response team.

2. Equipped vehicles

Vehicles should have suitable cages, stretchers, ventilation, basic handling equipment and emergency supplies.

Different animals require different transportation arrangements. A vehicle suitable for a dog may not be appropriate for a large injured cow.

3. Trained rescue personnel

People responding to emergencies should understand safe animal handling, restraint, transportation and basic first aid.

Untrained handling can worsen fractures, spinal injuries and other medical conditions.

4. Veterinary partnerships

An ambulance network needs access to veterinary hospitals and clinics that can receive emergency cases.

Transport without a treatment destination does not solve the problem.

5. Follow-up and rehabilitation

Some animals need surgery, extended treatment or temporary shelter after rescue. The network should connect them with appropriate facilities and foster organisations.

The role of technology

A centralised digital platform could make animal rescue more efficient.

Residents could report an emergency through an application or website, share the location and upload photographs where safe.

The system could identify the nearest available response team and provide updates on the case.

A city-level database could track emergencies, response times, treatment outcomes and frequently affected locations.

Such information would help municipalities identify accident-prone areas and plan preventive interventions.

Who should take responsibility?

Municipal corporations should play a central coordinating role, working with animal welfare organisations, veterinary institutions and private service providers.

Corporate social responsibility funding could support vehicles, equipment and operating expenses.

Veterinary colleges could contribute trained personnel and clinical partnerships. Volunteers could assist with reporting, transportation coordination and temporary care.

The network should also include provisions for cats, cattle, birds and other animals rather than focusing exclusively on dogs.

An investment in compassion and civic responsibility

Animal ambulances are not a luxury. They address a genuine gap in urban emergency infrastructure.

A city that recognises animal welfare as part of its civic responsibility must provide mechanisms for responding to distress.

The objective should be to build a coordinated, accessible and accountable system rather than depend entirely on individual rescuers.

An injured animal cannot call for help. It depends on someone noticing its suffering and a system capable of responding.

Every city should have both.

References

1. Animal Welfare Board of India – Advisory for Establishment of 24x7 Helplines and Emergency Veterinary Services, 4 August 2025 – Government advisory on emergency response for injured and sick animals.
2. Animal Welfare Board of India – Guidelines for Animal Shelters and Veterinary Facilities – Veterinary infrastructure and animal-care requirements.
3. National Action Plan for Rabies Elimination in India – Coordination between veterinary services, public health authorities and local bodies.

Article content © S Vejay Anand. All rights reserved.