The Central Government has reiterated its commitment to addressing the growing menace of stray dogs through a humane and scientific approach. While the issue primarily falls under the purview of State Governments and local bodies, the Centre has framed the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
The Rules are in line with global standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health and promote the Capture–Neuter–Vaccinate–Release method of population management.
Local bodies have been mandated to implement sterilisation and vaccination programmes in collaboration with animal welfare organisations. In this regard, advisories have been repeatedly issued to States and Union Territories. Most recently, on July 16, 2025, the Secretaries of Animal Husbandry, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Panchayati Raj jointly urged States to establish dedicated Animal Birth Control units and ensure that at least 70 per cent of stray dogs are covered under sterilisation drives.
To strengthen this effort, the Central Government has revised its scheme for Birth Control and Immunisation of stray dogs and cats, being implemented through the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) from the current financial year. Under the scheme, financial assistance of up to ₹800 per dog and ₹600 per cat has been earmarked for sterilisation. Veterinary hospitals run by States will also receive one-time grants of ₹2 crore for developing facilities such as surgical theatres, kennels and recovery units. Further, support of up to ₹15 lakh for small animal shelters and ₹27 lakh for large shelters will be made available to urban local bodies and recognised animal welfare organisations.
The AWBI has also issued several advisories and circulars to aid in proper implementation of the Rules. These include standard protocols for adoption of community animals, guidelines for Resident Welfare Associations and Apartment Owner Associations, and instructions for maintaining separate dog-bite data. The revised ABC module launched on August 11, 2025, seeks to comprehensively address street dog population management, rabies eradication, and man-dog conflict reduction.
In addition to these measures, States are receiving support under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme for procurement of anti-rabies vaccines. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is implementing the National Rabies Control Programme and the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination, launched in 2021, with the aim of eradicating rabies from the country.
Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, informed the Lok Sabha today that these coordinated efforts underscore the government’s resolve to address the challenge of stray dog management in a humane, effective and sustainable manner.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has clarified its recent directive to authorities in Delhi-NCR to remove stray dogs from all localities. The apex court said the order was not a “momentary impulse” but the result of careful deliberation after consistent failure of the authorities for over two decades to address an issue impacting public safety.
A bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan stated that the judiciary’s role is not to echo popular sentiments but to uphold principles of justice, conscience and equity. The Court stressed that its directions are in the interest of both humans and dogs.
On August 11, the Court ordered that localities in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad must be made free of stray dogs, clarifying that no captured animal will be released back on the streets.
