Chandigarh is set to take a major leap in animal welfare with the Municipal Corporation earmarking 1.7 acres of land in Sector 25 (West) for the city’s first-ever dedicated dog shelter. This long-awaited development responds to the growing need for a structured, humane approach to caring for the city’s stray dog population.
A Much-Needed Facility for Stray Dogs
Chandigarh has had more stray dogs each year, but there has been no permanent shelter to provide them with medical care, rehabilitation, or a safe place to stay. The new shelter will help solve this problem. It is next to the Material Recovery Facility near the Daddumajra dumping site, so it will not disturb homes or businesses and will give the dogs a quiet place to recover.
The shelter will cover 1.7 acres and can house up to 1,762 dogs, making it one of the largest in the area. There will be 881 kennels (separate enclosures or cages for housing each dog) on the ground floor and 881 on the first floor, so each dog has enough space and fresh air. The shelter will also have treatment rooms, special areas for sick dogs, open spaces for exercise, and wide corridors to prevent crowding. This setup will help provide better and more humane care for the animals.
A Step Toward Better Animal Management
The initiative comes at a time when the city has been under pressure to comply with national rules. This new shelter is being built because the city must comply with national rules on animal birth control and stray dog management. The Supreme Court has also asked cities in India to make safe places and shelters for stray dogs. Chandigarh’s new shelter will help keep both people and animals safe. Until now, stray dogs picked up for sterilization or vaccination often had nowhere to rest or recover, creating challenges for both civic workers and animal rescuers. With a permanent facility, authorities will be able to implement long-term programes without logistical gaps.
Organized Feeding Zones on the Cards
The Municipal Corporation also plans to set up official feeding stations for stray dogs in Chandigarh. This will help prevent arguments between residents and animal lovers and ensure dogs are fed in clean, safe spots. Having set feeding areas will also make it easier to catch the dogs for sterilization and vaccination.
Standard Operating Procedures to Guide the Process
The Animal Welfare Board of India will soon issue detailed instructions on managing stray dogs in public places, including hospitals, schools, markets, and parks. These rules will help local authorities follow the same steps everywhere and make sure animals are treated well.
A New Chapter for Animal Welfare in Chandigarh
Building the dog shelter in Sector 25 is an important step for Chandigarh. It shows that the city is moving toward better and more organized animal care. For stray dogs, this shelter will mean a safer place to live and better medical help. For people in the city, it will help manage the dog population in a safer and more responsible way, making public spaces better for everyone.
