Tamil Nadu plans to set up six shelters for abandoned and injured animals

The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB) is planning to establish six animal shelters across the State under the Vallalar Palluyir Kappagangal Scheme for abandoned, rescued, and injured animals.

The Board said that the shelters will function under the Department of Animal Husbandry to house abandoned, injured, rescued, and ferocious animals that need to be set apart from the other animals and require additional care.

The shelters will function as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and by certain guidelines issued by the Board, according to a statement released recently.

Medical care and emergency treatment at the shelters will be overseen by veterinarians deputed by the Regional Joint Director of the department. Eligible dogs admitted to the shelters will be sterilised at nearby Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres, based on fitness certification by the deputed veterinarian, the statement, dated February 24, 2026, added.

Each shelter will have four animal handlers and one cook, whose deployment and payment will be borne by the Board. Selected organisations will also engage additional night-shift handlers.

Financial assistance will be provided towards animal feed and operational expenses, subject to the maintenance of proper accounts and submission of utilisation certificates, the statement read.

Organisations managing the shelters will maintain intake, treatment, feeding, medicine stock, and mortality registers, and extend co-operation for inspections by Board and departmental officials.