Archive · 17 Jan 2026
India's Animal Birth Control Rules Effective
India has made great progress in reducing rabies deaths and dog bites over the past 20 years.
The Animal Birth Control Rules, which involve capturing, sterilizing, vaccinating, and returning stray dogs to their habitats, have been very effective.
However, some people think that building large shelters for dogs is a better solution.
This is not practical because shelters can quickly become overwhelmed, and it is very expensive.
Sheltering also leads to the unnecessary killing of animals.
India should continue with the Animal Birth Control Rules, making sure they are implemented properly and consistently across cities.
This approach is better for both people and animals.
Rabies deaths in India have decreased from 20,000 per year in 2003 to 5,700 per year in 2022-2023.
Dog bite incidence has also declined from 15.6 per 1,000 persons in 2003 to 5.6 per 1,000 persons in 2022-2023.
Animal Birth Control Rules, involving sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs, have been effective in reducing dog populations and rabies.
Sheltering stray dogs is impractical and expensive, as seen in the US where over 600,000 dogs and cats are killed annually to make space.
India should focus on professionalizing and consistently implementing Animal Birth Control Rules rather than resorting to sheltering.
- Who
- Elly Hiby, Director of the International Companion Animal Management Coalition
- What
- Discussion on the effectiveness of India's Animal Birth Control Rules and the impracticality of sheltering stray dogs
- When
- Recent court hearings and media coverage
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address the debate on managing stray dog populations and rabies control
- Rabies Deaths (2022-2023)
- 5,700 per year
- Rabies Deaths (2003)
- 20,000 per year
- Dog Bite Incidence (2022-2023)
- 5.6 per 1,000 persons
- Dog Bite Incidence (2003)
- 15.6 per 1,000 persons
- US Shelter Spending
- Over $3 billion per year
- US Shelter Animals
- 6 million per year
- US Shelter Deaths
- 600,000 dogs and cats annually
- India Shelter Cost per Dog
- Less than Rs 2,000