Introduction
If you care for community dogs in India, you have likely heard of the ABC program. The Animal Birth Control program is the only legally and scientifically sanctioned method to manage the street dog population in India.
In 2023, the Central Government notified the updated Animal Birth Control Rules, giving much-needed clarity on how street dogs should be treated, sterilized, and returned. Whether you are a dedicated feeder or just a concerned citizen, understanding these rules is crucial to protecting the dogs in your neighborhood.
What is the ABC Program? The ABC program follows a simple, humane protocol: Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Release (CNVR). Municipal authorities or recognized animal welfare NGOs temporarily capture street dogs, surgically sterilize them so they cannot reproduce, administer an Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV), and release them.
You can always tell a dog has been through the ABC program because a small V-shaped notch will be clipped from one of their ears.
The Golden Rule: Relocation is Illegal The most critical takeaway from the ABC Rules 2023—and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act—is that street dogs must be released back into their exact original territory. Dogs are highly territorial. Relocating a dog to a new area is not only cruel (they often face starvation or fatal fights with local dog packs), but it is strictly illegal. If your RWA or local municipality attempts to permanently remove a dog, they are violating federal rules.
Your Role as a Community Feeder Feeders are the unsung heroes of the ABC program. Because the dogs trust you, you are vital to the process!
- Help the Catchers: When the local NGO van arrives, help them identify which dogs need sterilization and assist in gently catching them.
- Monitor the Return: Keep a record of which dogs were taken and ensure they are dropped back in the exact same spot 3 to 5 days later.
- Post-Op Care: Keep an eye on the dog’s surgical incision for a few days to ensure it isn’t infected, and provide them with clean food and water as they recover.