Lucknow Municipal Corporation and Humane World for Animals India sign MoU to promote compassionate and effective stray dog management
Lucknow: In a pioneering move toward compassionate and effective management of stray dog populations, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) and Humane World for Animals India (formerly Humane Society International India) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the country’s first public and comprehensive Animal Birth Control (ABC) Training Centre at Jarhara, Lucknow.
This first-of-its-kind centre will serve as a national training hub for veterinarians, para-veterinary staff, animal handlers, and animal welfare organizations—both those already engaged in ABC operations and those preparing to initiate such programs. Unlike existing facilities that focus primarily on surgical sterilization, the Lucknow centre will provide holistic training covering all aspects of animal birth control through a 15-day module that combines theoretical learning with hands-on experience.
The curriculum will include humane dog-catching techniques, pre-surgical health checks, anesthesia protocols, sterilization methods, and post-operative care. Participants will also be trained in kennel management, data recording and reporting, monitoring mechanisms, and legal compliance. A key component of the programme will focus on community engagement strategies, ensuring that ABC initiatives are not only scientifically sound but also socially inclusive and compassionate.
This initiative aligns with the Supreme Court’s August 2025 directive, which recognized Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes as an integral part of India’s comprehensive stray dog management strategy. The establishment of this centre in Lucknow is thus seen as a timely and significant step toward strengthening humane and legally compliant animal management practices across the country.
Under the three-year MoU, Humane World for Animals India will design and conduct the training programmes through expert-led modules, while the Lucknow Municipal Corporation will provide the necessary infrastructure, logistics, vehicles, and operational support.
Dr. Piyush Patel, Director of the Companion Animals and Engagement Team at Humane World for Animals India, said:
“ABC programmes are key to managing India’s stray dog population safely and sustainably — benefiting both people and the dogs who share our spaces. The Lucknow centre will go beyond sterilization surgery, focusing on compassionate practices and high standards of animal care. We hope it becomes a hub for learning and collaboration, empowering teams nationwide to implement high-quality, humane ABC programmes that foster coexistence between humans and street dogs.”
Dr. Abhinav Verma, Animal Welfare Officer at Lucknow Municipal Corporation, added:
“This training centre reflects our commitment to structured, compassionate, and effective stray dog management in Lucknow. It will help build skilled professionals and ensure that ABC programmes operate according to the highest animal welfare standards.”
The Lucknow centre is expected to become a model for other Indian cities, promoting both capacity building and empathy-based animal welfare, while setting new benchmarks for sustainable and humane stray dog population management in the country.
