Tata Trusts Small Animal Hospital to open soon; all you need to know about this ‘pet’ project

Industrialist-entrepreneur Ratan Tata, who is known for his philanthropic activities on national and international levels, is now all prepared to launch his long-pending ‘pet’ project in Mumbai. Under the ‘pet’ project initiative, an animal hospital will be opened in Mumbai. According to reports, the hospital will be accessible from the first week of March.

According to a Times of India report, the project will house a hospital spread across an area of 2.2 acres. The 24x7 hospital will treat dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals.

In an exclusive interview with Times of India, Tata said, “A pet is no different from a member of one’s family today. As the guardian of several pets throughout my life, I acknowledge the need for this hospital.”

The 86-year-old industrialist also spoke about the reason behind rolling out a world-class animal hospital. He recalled the instance wherein he had to fly one of his pets to the University of Minnesota for a joint replacement. He said, “I was too late, and so they froze the dog’s joint in a certain position. That experience made me see what a world-class veterinary hospital was equipped to do,” reported TOI.

The Tata Trusts Small Animal Hospital, which has been built at a cost of ₹165 crores, is located in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai. This 24x7 veterinary hospital has five stories with a capacity to admit as many as 200 'patients'. To bring the best for the hospital, Tata Trusts Small Animal Hospital has appointed Thomas Heathcote, a British veterinarian. Heathcote, who has relocated to Mumbai will be leading a team of doctors, reported Money Control.

Tata’s ‘pet’ project was announced in 2017 when the hospital was supposed to be built in the Navi Mumbai region. However, keeping the distance in mind, Tata considered moving the location a bit closer to the centre of the city. He said, “This (distance) could've been a major challenge for the pet parents, especially those in need of emergency services. With this in mind, finding the right space for land and getting permissions was also a reason for delay”, reported TOI.