Sun Nov 23 16:12:18 UTC 2025: Summary:
Following a Supreme Court directive, the Tamil Nadu government is exploring the feasibility of establishing animal shelters for street dogs. This is a complex undertaking due to conflicting central ABC rules, the lack of central funding, and the need for comprehensive surveys and planning. While the Greater Chennai Corporation is constructing shelters for terminally ill and aggressive dogs, a state-wide implementation of permanent shelters will likely take several years.
News Article:
Tamil Nadu to Study Shelters for Street Dogs Following Supreme Court Order
Chennai, November 23, 2025 – The Tamil Nadu government is embarking on a study to determine the feasibility of establishing shelters for street dogs across the state, following a recent Supreme Court directive. This move aims to provide safe housing for stray animals instead of releasing them back onto the streets.
However, officials warn that the initiative could take several years to implement due to a number of challenges. These include conflicting rules issued by the central government regarding Animal Birth Control (ABC) procedures, the lack of dedicated financial support from the central government, and the need for extensive planning.
“We are considering handing over land to NGOs to set up these shelters,” a senior government official stated. “However, these facilities may take four to five years to become operational.”
The state government intends to conduct thorough surveys of veterinary institutions, doctors, and NGOs, as well as enumerate the street dog population in each district. This data will be crucial in developing a comprehensive plan.
Meanwhile, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is moving forward with the construction of two shelters for terminally ill and aggressive dogs, located in Vadaperumbakkam and Manali, at a cost of nearly ₹2 crore each. These shelters are expected to house around 250 dogs each.
Shruti Vinod Raj, a member of the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB), emphasized the complexity of the task, highlighting the contradiction between the Supreme Court’s directive and existing ABC rules that mandate the release of sterilized dogs back to their original locations.
“There is also no financial support from the Centre for setting up such shelters, so funding sources need to be identified. Implementation may therefore take time,” she said.
Despite the challenges, the Tamil Nadu government is committed to finding a humane and sustainable solution to manage its street dog population. The GCC reports that nearly 1.18 lakh dogs have been vaccinated in Chennai since September 2025, demonstrating the ongoing efforts to control rabies and improve animal welfare.
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