Dog Shelter Project for Sterilised Strays Stuck for Nine Years

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has yet to secure the allocated land for dedicated shelters meant for sterilised stray dogs, nearly ten years after promising the project. Without these facilities, concerns persist about the effectiveness of sterilisation efforts as Mumbai faces a potentially rising stray dog population and ongoing administrative and legal challenges.

Nearly a decade after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) pledged before the Bombay High Court to establish dedicated shelters for sterilised stray dogs, the project remains stalled, with no significant progress on securing the identified land. Around 25 acres in Wada, Palghar district, were allocated for the facility, but the BMC has yet to take possession, hindered by opposition from local residents and other obstacles.

The initiative aims to address the growing stray dog population in Mumbai by relocating sterilised animals to exclusive shelters. However, the absence of such infrastructure has drawn criticism from elected representatives across party lines, who question the effectiveness of ongoing containment efforts.

Dr. Saeeda Khan, a standing committee member and NCP corporator, criticized the practice of sterilising dogs and releasing them back onto the streets, arguing that it undermines the goal of reducing the stray dog menace. She also pointed to a lack of administrative resolve to complete the shelter project despite long-standing plans.

On April 19, the BMC standing committee approved a ₹23.30 crore proposal to sterilise 1,34,940 stray dogs over the next three years. Both ruling and opposition members raised concerns about whether current measures are sufficient to control the stray dog population.

Congress corporator Tulip Miranda noted that since 1998, the BMC has spent nearly ₹70 crore on sterilisation programs, with the average cost per dog estimated at ₹12,000. Despite this expenditure, she stated, Mumbai continues to face challenges from stray dogs and lacks proper shelter facilities. Miranda also criticized the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), deeming their efforts inadequate in managing the issue.

According to a 2024 BMC report, the city currently has an estimated 90,757 free-roaming dogs across its 24 wards, reflecting a 21.8% decrease from 2014 figures. Of these, nearly 63% have been sterilised under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. However, approximately 33,671 dogs remain unsterilised, including 11,224 females. The report warns that if each unsterilised female gives birth to four puppies annually, the stray dog population could grow to as many as 448,000 by 2033.

Shiv Sena group leader Amey Ghole pointed out that the land transfer process is ongoing and emphasized the need to reassess legal frameworks in light of recent Supreme Court rulings related to stray dog rehabilitation. The combination of administrative delays, legal complexities, and opposition from local communities continues to hinder the implementation of a project seen as vital to managing Mumbai’s stray dog population.