Andhra Pradesh to Set Up 5 Animal Shelters per District to Tackle Stray Menace
The initiative is expected to improve urban and rural animal management while promoting humane treatment and welfare standards across the state.
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government has announced the establishment of five dedicated animal shelters in each district. The initiative aims to ensure the safety and welfare of stray, lost, seized, and abandoned animals.
The aim is also to ease the inconvenience faced by motorists and pedestrians in the streets.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to complete the construction of shelters across all districts by March 31, 2027.
According to the animal husbandry officials, the shelters will be constructed near constituency headquarters with financial support from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. These facilities will provide essential services, including shelter, nutrition, and veterinary care to destitute animals.
Each shelter will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 10 lakh and will require a minimum land area of half an acre. The shelters are designed to accommodate 20 to 25 large animals. Additional land within the premises will be utilised for cultivating fodder grass. Provisions for drinking water will also be made.
The revenue department has been entrusted with arranging the required land, while the rural development department will oversee construction activities.
Veterinary services will be provided by the animal husbandry department. The day-to-day management of the shelters will be handled by selected self-help groups, ensuring community participation in the initiative.
Officials stated that land allotment has been completed in eight districts, and efforts are under way to expedite the process in the remaining regions through regular monthly reviews with district animal husbandry officers.
Director of animal husbandry Dr T Damodara Naidu appealed to animal lovers, welfare organisations and voluntary groups to extend their support for effective implementation of the scheme.
The initiative is expected to improve urban and rural animal management while promoting humane treatment and welfare standards across the state.
