The Central government has rolled out a comprehensive plan for humane stray dog management and rabies elimination, combining sterilisation, vaccination, and infrastructure development across states.
The initiative is guided by the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. These rules align with global standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for the Capture–Neuter–Vaccinate–Release (CNVR) approach.
Local Bodies have been tasked with executing sterilisation and vaccination programmes in collaboration with recognised animal welfare organisations. Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, informed the Lok Sabha that advisories were issued in November 2024 and again in July 2025, stressing that sterilisation of at least 70% of stray dogs is key to population control.
“The sterilisation programme is an ongoing process being implemented by Urban Local Bodies. Large-scale ABC units are necessary to bring stray dog numbers under control,” the minister said.
Financial Assistance
The revised Scheme for Birth Control and Immunisation of Stray Dogs and Cats is now operational from this financial year.
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Rs 800 per dog and Rs 600 per cat has been earmarked for sterilisation and vaccination under the scheme.
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Rs 2 crore one-time grant will be provided to State-run veterinary hospitals for developing infrastructure like surgical theatres, kennels, and recovery units.
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The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) will support animal shelters, offering up to Rs 15 lakh for small shelters and Rs 27 lakh for large shelters.
Rabies Elimination Efforts
In addition, the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), through its ASCAD subcomponent, will fund the procurement of anti-rabies vaccines by states.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is simultaneously implementing the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) and the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE), launched on September 28, 2021. These initiatives aim to eliminate rabies through vaccination, awareness, and inter-ministerial coordination.
