Chennai's Tambaram to Get Its First Pet Crematorium Soon

Chennai: The Tambaram City Municipal Corporation has officially approved and allocated INR 1 crore to build the city’s first dedicated pet crematorium in Thiruneermalai, Zone 1, marking a significant milestone in pet welfare infrastructure and public health management within the rapidly growing Chennai suburb. 

The move comes as the corporation seeks to address long-standing concerns about the safe, dignified, and environmentally responsible disposal of deceased pets, particularly dogs and cats, which today often lack formal cremation options in Tambaram.

For years, many pet owners and animal lovers in Tambaram have struggled to find regulated ways to handle their pets’ remains after death. Without a formal facility, some families have had no choice but to leave pet bodies by the roadside or in public waste collection areas, creating health, sanitation, and environmental risks for residents. 

According to Tambaram Corporation Commissioner S. Balachander, the lack of a pet crematorium has forced unsafe disposal practices. He said, “We have identified several dead pets dumped along roads during garbage collection. While some residents abandon the remains, many do not know the correct way to dispose of a dead dog. This is why we have decided to build a pet crematorium within the corporation limits.”  

The pet crematorium will be built at Thiruneermalai, a key area within Zone 1 of Tambaram. Construction is planned to start soon, with completion expected by mid-2026. The facility will be equipped to serve pet owners across Tambaram’s zones, offering a safe and regulated way to conduct animal cremations.

Local residents, pet owners, and animal rights advocates have widely welcomed the plan. Experts say that proper pet cremation facilities play an important role in reducing public health hazards from decomposing animal remains in residential or garbage collection areas. This will also provide emotional closure and respectful end-of-life services for pet families. This project aligns with broader municipal goals of improving sanitation and environmental safety services as Tambaram grows.

Tambaram has also witnessed rising concerns over stray dogs, cattle, and related public health issues. Recent civic reports show that stray livestock and animals frequently create hazards on roads and public spaces, highlighting how expanded animal welfare services, including pet cremation facilities, are becoming increasingly essential for urban communities.