Need of policy to control dog and cat population

The population of dogs and cats in India currently exceeds the capacity of our society to care for them and provide homes for them as companion animals. As a result, millions do not have homes and are euthanised annually by animal control agencies, humane organizations, and veterinarians in private practice. Dogs and cats that are not adopted can become victims of trauma, starvation, or disease. Therefore dog and cat population control is a primary welfare concern of our society.

A. Education

• There is need of public education campaigns that can help pet owners be more responsible and concerned.
• Comprehensive public education campaigns to prevent abandonment will require the commitment and cooperation of state and local governmental agencies, humane organizations, and veterinary associations.
• Education to prevent abandonment should include tenets of responsible pet ownership, including appropriate selection, the importance of early-age spaying and neutering, keeping pets indoors or in restricted environments, preventing or solving behavioral problems, and consulting with veterinarians for information on these issues.
• The government should encourage all independent sources of pets (eg, breeders, pet shops, shelters, animal control facilities, private individuals) to educate new owners about the importance of surgical or non-surgical sterilization and regular veterinary care.
• Veterinary college and research institute should emphasize the prevention and/or solution of behavioral problems and other factors leading to dog and cat abandonment

B. Research

• The government should encourage research into the development and use of non-surgical methods of sterilization.
• The  government agencies should also better define and quantify the dog and cat overpopulation problem.

C. Public Policy

State and local governments must:

• Provide significantly more funding to animal control agencies to facilitate strict enforcement of existing animal control laws, and 
• Prohibit the sale or adoption of intact dogs and cats by humane organizations and animal control agencies.
• Promote surgical and non-surgical sterilization of intact dogs and cats.
• Require licensing, rabies vaccination, and permanent identification.