Notified by

The Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023—notified by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying—lay out comprehensive procedures and obligations concerning the management of street dogs and community animals in India under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

Articles

Article 1: Short Title and Commencement

These rules came into force on the date of their final Gazette publication in March 2023.

Article 2: Definitions

Defines key terms such as

“Animal Birth Control (ABC) Center,”
“Animal Welfare Organisation (AWO),”
“Community Animals”,
"Local Authority," and more.

Article 3: Project Recognition

Local authorities or accredited AWOs must obtain recognition from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to conduct any ABC program for street dogs.
Applications require evidence of capability, experienced veterinarians (with proof of 2,000+ ABC surgeries), and infrastructure.

Article 4: Refusal of Recognition

Grounds for denial include submission of false information, convictions under animal welfare laws, or inadequate infrastructure.

Article 5: Prohibition Without Recognition

ABC programs cannot be conducted without official recognition.
In the event of application failure or rejection, ongoing programs must be halted.

Article 6: Renewal of Recognition

ABC project recognition is valid for 3 years and may be renewed with timely application and re-inspection.

Article 7: Animal Classification

Only distinguishes between pet animals (owned, indoors) and street/abandoned dogs for these rules.

Article 8: Responsibility for Vaccination and Sterilisation

Owners are responsible for pets;
local authorities for street/community animals.
Local governments may engage AWOs for implementation.

Article 9: Monitoring Committees

Mandates formation of:

Central Monitoring and Coordination Committee
State Implementation and Monitoring Committees
Local ABC Monitoring Committees Each is tasked with program oversight, adherence to standards, and complaint monitoring.

Article 10: Obligations of Local Authority

Ensures infrastructure (kennels, vans, incinerators, records, CCTV), cleanliness, and financial reimbursement for AWO services.
Progress must be monitored monthly.

Article 11: Capture, Sterilisation, Immunisation, Release

Humane capture only, with explicit prohibition of tongs/wires.
Only a limited number of dogs as per the facility’s capacity.
Puppies under 6 months and lactating females with young pups are not to be picked up.
Detailed kennel specifications; separation of males and females.
Dogs must be returned to original capture sites post-procedure; marked with a V-notch on the ear.
Minimum 4 days of post-operative care and proper record-keeping.

Article 12: Maintenance of Records

Detailed logs of every dog’s capture, surgery, treatment, release, feeding, deaths, staff, and equipment must be maintained and updated daily.

Article 13: Reporting

Monthly and annual progress reports must be submitted to relevant Monitoring Committees and the Board, with all ABC surgery details and outcomes.

Article 14: Inspections

The Board can send inspection teams (without prior notice) and each recognized unit shall be inspected at least once annually.

Article 15: Euthanasia

Only permitted in cases of incurable illness or mortal injury, via humane methods and with a designated team; strict record-keeping required.

Article 16: Complaint Resolution (Dog Bites/Rabies)

Local authorities may set up helplines;
records of incidents and medical referrals are required.
Dogs showing communicable disease symptoms are isolated, and suspected rabid dogs are either kept till natural death or released post-treatment.

Article 17: Counting and Disposal of Organs

Removed reproductive organs to be stored in formaldehyde and counted by an independent team; documented, and destroyed in their presence.

Article 18: Non-Compliance and Blacklisting

Rules violations attract show-cause notices, possible suspension, or cancellation of recognition, and reporting of offending officials or organizations.

Article 19: Cat Sterilisation

On State Board advice, similar ABC protocols (separate housing, Board guidelines) apply for cats.
Infrastructure and finances to be covered by the local authority.

Article 20: Feeding of Community Animals

Mandates Resident Welfare Associations/local bodies to designate mutually-agreed feeding spots/times with concern for minimum human-animal conflict.
Disputes to be resolved by an Animal Welfare Committee (final authority rests with State Board if needed).

Article 21: Appeals

Outlines process for appeal to Board and, if required, to the Department Secretary, whose decision is final.

Article 22: Application Where Local By-laws Exist

Preserves more animal-friendly provisions in local laws
those local laws will apply only if they are less irksome (i.e., more animal-friendly) than the national rules.
if local rules are harsher, national rules prevail. Perplexity