Public protests, scarcity of land hampering setting up of dog shelters, says Kerala govt.

Wed Jan 07 16:49:17 UTC 2026: # Kerala Grapples with Dog Shelter Shortage Amidst Public Protests and Land Scarcity

The Story:
The Kerala state government is facing significant challenges in establishing dog shelters, as mandated by the Supreme Court. An affidavit submitted to the court cites high population density, public protests, and the scarcity of available land as major impediments. While two dog shelters are currently operational, and sheltering facilities have been initiated in all 20 permanent Animal Birth Control (ABC) centers, the government is struggling to identify suitable land for expansion, with District Collectors tasked to find appropriate locations.

The government is also addressing court directives regarding fencing for educational institutions, reporting that 20,872 institutions already have such measures in place, while 3,383 still require them. The delay in construction was attributed to the model code of conduct during recent civic polls. Nodal officers have been appointed across various departments and local bodies to oversee fencing and stray dog removal from educational premises.

Key Points:

• Kerala government cites population density, public protests, and land scarcity as hurdles in establishing dog shelters.
• The Supreme Court has directed all states to set up dog shelters.
• Two dog shelters are functioning, with sheltering facilities started in all 20 permanent ABC centers.
• District Collectors are tasked with identifying land for new shelters, with the Revenue and Local Self-Government departments involved.
• 20,872 educational institutions have fencing or compound walls, while 3,383 still need them.
• 22 dog feeding centers are operational across the state, with efforts underway to identify more.

Key Takeaways:

• The Kerala government is under pressure to comply with a Supreme Court directive amidst significant logistical and social challenges.
• Land scarcity and public opposition are major factors hindering animal welfare initiatives in the state.
• The government is coordinating across multiple departments and local bodies to address both animal shelter needs and safety concerns at educational institutions.
• Civic polls have caused delays in some constructions.

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