The Atlas/Shelters & Rescue/Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023
LawIndia
Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023
G.S.R. 193(E), 2023 · Animal Welfare Board of India
India’s national rules for the humane, veterinary-led management of street dogs through sterilisation and immunisation rather than culling.
01 What It Is
The Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 were notified by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying under section 38 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, replacing the earlier 2001 rules. They set out, nationally, how free-roaming and community dogs are to be managed.
02 What It Covers
Local authorities must implement the Animal Birth Control program for street dogs, conducting it through their own veterinary officers or by engaging an animal welfare organization recognized by the Animal Welfare Board of India. The rules define Animal Birth Control Centers as veterinary facilities with surgical and post-operative care, recognize community animals, place a Veterinary Officer in charge of the program, and require Board recognition before any organization may carry it out.
03 How It Is Checked
Oversight runs through the Animal Welfare Board of India, which grants the Project Recognition an organization needs before conducting the program, and through the local authorities responsible for delivery. The regime is built around veterinary supervision of capture, surgery, immunisation and release.
04 Why It Matters
Street-dog management is where welfare and public health meet, and historically where culling failed both. These rules commit India nationally to a veterinary, sterilise-and-immunise approach, protecting community dogs while addressing rabies, and set the standards the work must meet.
Common Questions
Are they law?
Yes. The Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 were notified under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, replacing the earlier 2001 rules, and set out nationally how free-roaming and community dogs are to be managed.
Who oversees them?
The Animal Welfare Board of India, which grants the recognition an organization needs, together with the local authorities responsible for delivery.
What do they require?
Local authorities must run an Animal Birth Control program of veterinary-supervised sterilisation and immunisation, through their own veterinary officers or an animal welfare organization recognized by the Board.
What is the approach to street dogs?
A veterinary, sterilise-and-immunise approach rather than culling, built around Animal Birth Control Centers with surgical and post-operative care, and recognizing community animals.
Who do they apply to?
Local authorities and the recognized organizations that carry out the program.
Why do they matter?
Street-dog management is where welfare and public health meet, and where culling failed both. The rules commit India nationally to a humane, veterinary approach while addressing rabies.