Centre asks states to include veterinary care under essential services

Union Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fishery Ministry wrote to the states asking them to consider veterinary services under the list of essential services as several states go into lockdown to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

"...it is requested that veterinary hospitals and dispensaries in the state, including private veterinary clinics, veterinary pathologies, animal shelters etc. function in the normal course and the veterinary services be considered in the list of 'Essential Services'," the ministry said.

The letter stated that emergent animal health situation can't be left unaddressed.


This comes in the wake of several states that have announced lockdown measures excluding veterinary services from the list of essential services.

The ministry's directive ordered veterinarians to ensure strict personal hygiene and avoid gathering of people at clinics.