Schemes for Animal Welfare

Schemes for Animal Welfare

• Scheme for Provision of Ambulance Service for Animal In Distress

• Scheme for Provision of Shelter Houses for Looking after the Animals

• Scheme for Birth Control and Immunization of Stray Dogs.

• Scheme for Relief to animals during Natural Calamities and Unforeseen Circumstances

• Scheme for Scholarships to the Students for Studies Abroad in Animal Welfare

Scheme for Provision of Ambulance Service to Animals in Distress

A large number of domestic, stray and uncared for animals need care and protection particularly in times of natural calamities such as floods, droughts, famines, forest fires etc. In addition, animals frequently suffer from injuries and disabilities as a result of road accidents or diseases. The infrastructure for provision of emergency services to animals is almost non-existent and there is a need to strengthen the capabilities of organisations working in the field at the grass root level throughout the country.  The basic objective of the scheme is to make available emergency ambulance services to animals in distress throughout the country by provision of appropriate assistance to competent Non-Governmental organisations working in the field.  This scheme is a central sector scheme.  Ten percent of the total cost of the ambulance vehicle is borne by the organisation and ninety percent of the cost is borne by the Central Govt. with the ceiling of Rs.4.50 lakh for the cost of the vehicle including modifications.  The money is  released  in one installment.

cheme for Provision of Shelter Houses for Looking after the Animals

There are almost one billion animals in our country roaming around in the streets and everywhere.  A number of them are not cared enough and are left in the streets either wounded or suffering from various diseases.  Though we have shelter houses operating at various places their number is not adequate and the facilities provided are insufficient.  In such a situation it becomes imperative that shelter houses are established and made available at least one in a district with all the facilities like health care, stall feed etc.  The scheme will endeavour to fill this gap and provide requisite services to uncared for animals by making provision for establishment and maintenance of shelter houses in all the districts of the country for care and protection of the animals.

This is a Central Sector Scheme and the NGOs are assisted to the extent of 90 percent of the project cost of the construction of a shelter house with a ceiling of Rs.25 lakhs including 10 percent contribution to be made by the NGOs.  The amount is released to NGOs in two equal installments for a maximum of Rs.11.25 lakhs for the items as mentioned in the common application for three NGO Schemes as mentioned above.  A list of documents required to be submitted for this scheme is also enclosed with the common application form.

Note:  Above mentioned schemes I & II were launched on pilot basis during 1998-99. SFC vide its meeting dated 24.12.99 has approved this Scheme to be continued on regular basis in the light of their successful implementation.

Scheme for Birth Control and Immunization of Stray Dogs.  

The prevailing system of indiscriminate destruction of stray dogs to control their population and to minimize the incidence of rabies has not succeeded as per expectations.  The municipal bodies have been killing stray dogs under the pretext of controlling rabies by Health Department. Though the Animal Welfare Board of India has been trying to control the dog population by encouraging the voluntary organisations to conduct sterilization programmes but the same have not had much impact owing to limited funding.  A shift in policy to an alternative and more humane system of sterilization-cum-immunization is required for proper dog control and management.

The basic objective of the scheme is to control the population of stray dogs by sterilization and reduce the incidence of rabies by immunization.  The sterilization-cum-immunization of stray dogs are required to be conducted zone/colony-wise and proper records are to be maintained under the provision of this scheme.  Immunization of stray dogs will be conducted in the locality itself to assure the community about the safety from stray dogs.

This is a Central Sector Scheme under which 100 percent amount is released to NGOs in two equal installments.  For sterilization of dogs there is a provision for release of Rs.300 per day and for immunization (Anti-rabies) an amount of Rs.40 per day is provided in the scheme.

Scheme for Relief to animals during Natural Calamities and Unforeseen Circumstances

In order to meet the emergent and unforeseen situations like flood, cyclone, drought, famine, forest/village fires, earthquakes, landslides, heavy snowfall, hailstorm, epidemics, the Scheme under reference has been formulated during 1999-2000. This is a Central Sector Scheme under which 100% amount is released to NGOs in one installment.  The proposal is received from the States/UTs which have declared areas under their jurisdiction to have been hit by a specific natural calamity.

Scheme for Scholarships to the Students for Studies Abroad in Animal Welfare

Keeping in view the limited opportunity for higher studies in the field of animal welfare, a scheme for Scholarships to the Students for Studies Abroad in Animal Welfare has been introduced during the year 1999-2000.  Under this Scheme, the eligible students who desire to take up higher studies abroad, will be provided with admissible scholarships for taking up short-term courses.