`Safe With Dogs’: A campaign designed to teach Hyderabadis how to interact safely with man’s best friends

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad district administration has rolled out the` Safe With Dogs' campaign to teach people how to interact safely and confidently with canines while fostering empathy and responsible pet ownership across the city.

The campaign was launched on Wednesday by Hyderabad Collector Harichandana Dasari, under the aegis of the Department of Medical Health, Government of Telangana, in collaboration with the Hyderabad Canine Club (HCC).

Building Awareness Around Pet Safety

Speaking about the initiative, Philip Butt, Honorary Secretary of the Hyderabad Canine Club, said the campaign is intended to make Hyderabad a model city for responsible pet ownership.

“‘Safe With Dogs’ educates communities to interact safely and confidently with dogs, reducing fear, preventing conflict in public spaces, and fostering empathy and responsible pet parenting,” he explained.

The move comes amid growing concern over the need for awareness about how people engage with animals in urban settings. The campaign aims to reduce instances of fear or conflict in shared spaces such as parks, residential complexes, and public streets.

Recognising Responsible Pet Establishments

As part of the initiative, the Hyderabad Canine Club has introduced a ‘Safe With Dogs Partner Program’, which will identify and recognise responsible pet-related establishments across the city. This includes pet shops, veterinary clinics, cafés, grooming salons, and boarding centres that follow ethical and safety standards.

Participating businesses will receive official certification and a ‘Safe With Dogs Partner’ sticker endorsed by the Telangana government. Their details will also appear in a Hyderabad Safe With Dogs Directory, a citywide registry of establishments committed to animal welfare and community safety.

Training and Onboarding at HyCan 2025

The first round of partner establishments will be trained and certified at HyCan 2025, the annual Hyderabad Dog Show, which will be held on November 8 and 9 at OM Convention, Narsingi. Pet business owners and organisations are being encouraged to register during the event to become part of the citywide network.

“Safe With Dogs is not just about pets, it’s about people,” said a spokesperson from the Hyderabad Canine Club. “By working together, we can make Hyderabad safer and more compassionate for both humans and animals.”

Collaborative Effort

The launch event was attended by Dr. Venkat, District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO), and members of the Hyderabad Canine Club’s managing committee, led by its president and honorary secretary.

Officials said the initiative represents a joint effort to promote public safety and compassion, while also recognising Hyderabad’s growing community of pet owners. Through education, certification, and collaboration, the city hopes to set an example for humane coexistence between people and animals.