TIRUCHY: The Tiruchy city municipal corporation is facing a huge challenge to fund the Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) programmes as the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has not reimbursed its share for the last 15 years.
According to sources in the Tiruchy corporation, a sum of Rs 4.57 crore to sterilise and vaccinate 34,921 dogs in the last 15 years, but the AWBI has not released its 50% share (Rs 2.28 crore) it is obligated to provide till date despite several representations. With its finances stretched, the corporation is left with no option than to approach the animal husbandry department to bail it out or slow down the programme.
The corporation currently spends Rs 1,750 per dog for these procedures. As per AWBI guidelines, 50% of this cost is to be reimbursed. As per a survey conducted by the NGO World Veterinary Society at the behest of the civic body between October 2024 and January 2025, there are approximately 44,000 stray and community dogs in the city.
Of these, 24,577 have been sterilised and vaccinated so far. Corporation sources said if AWBI delays releasing funds any further, the Tamil Nadu animal husbandry department has to support the programme. "But even animal husbandry department has not been supportive. There has been no response from them, " an official said.
The ABC/ARV programme is a statutory responsibility of local bodies, and the lack of financial support from the centre is affecting other work. Speaking to TNIE, a senior corporation official said, "Prior to 2010, AWBI provided funds regularly when the stray dog population was less. But after we intensified the programme, we did not received proper support or response to repeated reimbursement requests. AWBI has to release its share of funds within three months to a year. But for the past 15 years, we have received nothing."
"If we pressurise AWBI, they suggest halting the programme until funds are released. This will result in an increase in stray dog numbers," the official said, adding the civic body is forced to divert general funds to this programme, and it has caused complications for other projects.
When contacted, Regional Joint Director of Animal Husbandry in Tiruchy S Venkatesan said, "I have recently taken charge and am not aware of the issue. I will look into it and take steps with the help of senior officials in Chennai." City Health Officer Dr M Vijay Chandran said, "Yes, funds from AWBI are pending. We have repeatedly requested them to release the reimbursement, but there has been no response so far." TNIE's attempts to contact AWBI officials for comment went in vain.