PUNE: Following multiple complaints from residents of Marvel Bounty Society in Hadapsar, a pet owner has relocated over 300 cats from her 3BHK apartment to an alternative shelter in Kharadi. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Pune district, issued a notice on February 14, directing Rinku Bharadwaj to move the cats within 48 hours. The notice was issued after an inspection revealed concerns about hygiene and health hazards due to the growing feline population, which reportedly increased from 60 in 2022 to approximately 300 within three years. 

Bharadwaj requested additional time to complete the relocation and moved the cats to a rehabilitation center in Kharadi by Friday. Officials from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Hadapsar police, and the SPCA visited the premises to confirm the transfer.

Dr. Sarika Funde-Bhosale, PMC’s veterinary chief, stated that authorities documented the relocation and received a written commitment from Bharadwaj to adhere to guidelines set by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and PMC. Officials plan to inspect the new shelter to ensure the animals’ welfare and assess their impact on the surrounding community.

Meanwhile, the AWBI has instructed the Maharashtra Animal Welfare Board to investigate the matter after Bharadwaj alleged harassment from society members and mistreatment of community cats.

Residents have been voicing concerns since 2022, citing issues such as foul odors, potential disease risks, and the overwhelming number of cats in the confined space.