In a significant policy step toward balancing animal welfare and public safety, the Uttarakhand Urban Development Department has directed all urban local bodies to establish designated dog feeding zones for strays in every ward across the state. The move also introduces a formal adoption mechanism and marks the first structured effort to regulate stray dog management under state supervision.
The new directive, issued this week, mandates municipal corporations, municipalities, and nagar panchayats to identify feeding sites in each ward based on stray population density, accessibility, and safety parameters. The department has instructed that these areas be clearly marked with signboards and kept clean, with food provided only at these designated spots. Feeding outside these zones will now attract penalties under civic regulations.
Each municipal body has been asked to conduct a ward-wise survey to identify the number of strays and propose suitable feeding sites. These sites must be located away from schools, children’s parks, hospitals, and senior citizen areas to ensure safety. Local authorities will also coordinate with animal welfare NGOs to maintain cleanliness, monitor health, and ensure food and waste management at these zones.
Officials said the state government’s goal is to encourage responsible feeding practices while reducing stray aggression and road conflicts. The notification clarifies that community feeders must avoid littering or obstructing public spaces, and violators could face fines or action under municipal laws.
Our correspondent adds that the Urban Development Department has also instructed urban bodies to initiate formal adoption procedures for stray dogs. Interested individuals can apply for adoption through municipal offices, after which dogs will be registered and handed over following vaccination and sterilisation. The department emphasised that once adopted, a dog must not be abandoned under any circumstances.
The policy includes special provisions for injured or rabid dogs, directing civic bodies to shift them to Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres or designated care facilities until medically cleared. A central monitoring cell will oversee data collection, and each urban body will submit periodic progress reports to the Director of Urban Development.
Senior officials stated that the new system will standardise stray dog management and reduce the growing number of bite-related complaints in cities such as Dehradun, Haridwar, and Haldwani. They added that the initiative also aligns with the principles of compassion and coexistence promoted under the Animal Birth Control (Amendment) Rules, 2023.
Public opinion on the policy has been divided. Animal rights activists welcomed the move, calling it a “progressive and humane reform” that recognises both public health and animal rights. However, some residents expressed concerns about enforcement, urging the state to expand dog shelters and ensure adequate supervision to prevent overcrowding and neglect.
Municipal officials said that once the feeding zones are approved, awareness drives will be launched in residential colonies and marketplaces. These will educate citizens on responsible feeding, reporting injured strays, and the benefits of adoption. Training programmes for municipal staff and dog handlers are also being planned to ensure humane treatment and vaccination compliance.
Our correspondent adds that the department has instructed every civic body to set up a helpline service to address stray-related complaints and coordinate medical assistance. The data collected from these calls will help authorities assess stray density, track incidents, and refine urban animal management policies.
Officials believe that this structured approach will bring long-term benefits — reducing road conflicts, improving public hygiene, and ensuring that stray dogs receive regular care and food in safe zones. They added that the model could later be replicated in semi-urban and rural areas to promote uniform animal-welfare standards across the state.
With Uttarakhand’s urban population steadily increasing, this initiative is being viewed as a timely intervention to promote coexistence between humans and animals while addressing one of the most visible civic challenges in modern city life.
