1 hr ago
BMC Proposes ₹13.35-Crore Shelters for Stray Dogs
Mumbai’s civic body, the BMC, is planning a new way to care for some stray dogs.
Dogs found at places such as schools, hospitals and stations would be taken to shelters.
First, they would be sterilised and vaccinated.
Unlike the current practice described by a civic official, these dogs would not be returned to the same area.
The BMC proposes hiring an animal welfare organisation to care for them for two years.
The organisation would provide food, water, medical care and safe places to rest.
It would also keep digital and GPS records about each dog.
The plan is expected to cost ₹13.35 crore, including taxes.
The BMC will review the arrangement before deciding whether to extend it.
The BMC proposes moving dogs picked up from specified sensitive locations to designated shelters after sterilisation and vaccination.
The covered locations include schools, hospitals, sports facilities, bus terminals and railway stations.
A two-year contract with the Janice Smith Animal Welfare Trust is estimated at ₹13.35 crore, including GST.
The organisation would receive ₹155 per dog per day and provide shelter, food, medical care and other daily needs.
The proposal follows Supreme Court directions; any contract extension would depend on a review of performance, costs and shelter availability.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the proposed shelter operator, Janice Smith Animal Welfare Trust.
- What
- A proposed system to move stray dogs picked up from specified sensitive locations to designated shelters after sterilisation and vaccination.
- Where
- Mumbai, covering locations such as schools, hospitals, bus terminals and railway stations.
- When
- The proposed contract would run for two years; the article is dated October 5, 2026.
- Why
- The plan follows Supreme Court directions concerning stray dogs in sensitive public locations.
Shelter proposal
Current approach and review concerns
What happens to dogs from sensitive locations
Shelter proposal
Under the proposal, dogs picked up from specified sensitive locations would be sterilised, vaccinated and transferred to designated shelters for ongoing care.
Current approach and review concerns
A civic official said dogs are currently taken to one of seven BMC animal birth control centres for sterilisation and vaccination, then released in the same area; the new plan creates an exception for specified locations.
Contract and continuation
Shelter proposal
The BMC proposes a two-year contract with an AWBI-recognised organisation to provide shelter and daily care.
Current approach and review concerns
Any extension is not automatic and will be considered after reviewing the number of dogs housed, expenditure, the organisation’s performance and whether BMC-run shelters are available.
Key facts
- Estimated contract cost
- ₹13.35 crore, including GST
- Proposed contract term
- Two years
- Daily payment per dog
- ₹155
- Estimated annual expenditure
- Around ₹5.66 crore
- Estimated stray-dog population
- 90,757 in Mumbai in 2024
- Dogs sterilised, 1994–August 2025
- 4.34 lakh
- Recently approved sterilisation plan
- ₹23.31 crore to sterilise 33,671 dogs over three years
Quotes
Senior civic official
An unnamed senior official of Mumbai’s civic administration
“At present, dogs picked up by the BMC are taken to one of its seven ABC centres for sterilisation and vaccination before being released back in the same area. The proposed policy will create an exception for dogs picked up from specified sensitive locations, which will instead be moved to designated shelters.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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