As per Article 246(3) of the Constitution of India, Animal Husbandry is a state subject. Article 243(W) of the Constitution of India allows State legislatures to empower local bodies to perform functions and implement schemes, including those related to matters in the Twelfth Schedule. Hence, the local bodies are responsible for taking care of stray dogs including providing shelters. The Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, require local bodies to manage stray dog populations through sterilization and anti-rabies vaccination programs. Rule 16(6) specifies that if a dog is not rabid but is sick or aggressive, it should be handed over to an Animal Welfare Organization for treatment and observation. After recovery, the dog must be returned to its original location as outlined in Rule 11(19). The rules emphasize that dogs can only be sheltered temporarily for treatment or observation, not for long-term care unless they are ill or aggressive.

As per the Rule 10 of the “The Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023”, the local authority is responsible for providing the facilities such as sufficient number of kennels, veterinary hospital facility etc. for implementation of the animal birth control program.

The Animal Welfare Board of India is also promoting adoption of the community dogs/pups for preservation of indigenous dog breeds as well as to provide the human friendly shelters to the stray dogs as they can be excellent pets for their exceptional qualities.

The Animal Welfare Board of India, provides funds under the schemes namely; (i) Regular & Rescue Cattle Grant (ii) Provision of Shelter House for looking after the Animals, (iii) Provision of Ambulance for the animals in distress, (iv) Scheme for Birth Control and Immunization of stray Dogs and (v) Relief for Animals during Natural Calamities & unforeseen circumstance, to the various animal welfare organizations recognized by the Animal Welfare Board of India including the gaushalas.  The Animal Welfare Board of India is providing funds to the recognized animal welfare organizations / Gaushalas who are sheltering the stray/injured /sick animals in their shelter.

The details of fund provided by the Animal Welfare Board of India under the said Scheme in last five years are as below:

The details of funds provided by the Animal Welfare Board of India under the Scheme for Birth Control and Immunization of stray Dogs since 2018 onwards are as below:

Sl. No.	Financial Year	Grant released
1	2018-2019	Rs.24.4 lakhs
2	2019-2020	Rs.7.3 lakhs
3	2020-2021	Rs.4.03 lakhs
4	2021-2024	NIL

The local bodies are conducting the ABC programme themselves or through AWO's as per Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 and necessary funds for the same are directly being provided by the local bodies or the State Government.

The ABC Rules, 2023 was circulated to the Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs vide letter dated 27.03.2023 and to the Principal Secretaries of Department of Animal Husbandry, Principal Secretary of Department of Urban Development and Municipal Commissioners of all District of all States vide letter dated 31.03.2023 to undertake the Animal Birth Control Program in letter and spirit.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India also issued an advisory on dated 11.11.2024 to Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs for effective implementation of the Animal Birth Control Program.

The Animal Welfare Board of India publishes the message on the “World Rabies Day” every year which is celebrated on 28^th September to promote the mass vaccination drive for the stray animals, thereby controlling the population of the stray dogs.

The Animal Welfare Board of India has also published the revised Animal Birth Control (ABC) module for street dogs population management, rabies eradication and reducing man-dog conflict.

This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 26th March, 2025.

*****

AA

(Release ID: 2115191) Visitor Counter : 690