**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Indian government's response to questions regarding the status and operation of State Animal Welfare Boards (SAWBs) across the country, as of February 10, 2026. It provides an overview of the SAWBs' establishment, functionality, and related activities. The key takeaway is that 35 States and UTs have established SAWBs, with varying degrees of functionality, according to the directions of the Supreme Court of India.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Establishment of SAWBs:**
* 35 States and UTs (excluding Lakshadweep) have formed State Animal Welfare Boards (SAWBs).
* These boards were established in compliance with the Supreme Court's directions (W.P.(C) No.440 of 2000 and W.P(C) No.881 of 2014).
* **Functionality of SAWBs:**
* The functional status of each SAWB (fully operational, partially functional, or inactive) is detailed in Annexure-I.
* **Registration of Pet Shops and Dog Breeders:**
* There's no specific separate scheme for registering pet shops and dog breeders.
* State Animal Welfare Boards (SAWBs) are authorized to register pet shops and dog breeders within their respective States/Union Territories as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018.
* The details of the number of registered pet shops and dog breeders are maintained by the respective States/Union Territories.
* **Reporting and Meetings:**
* There's no mandatory statutory or legal provision for SAWBs to submit reports or meeting details to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) or the Ministry.
* **Strengthening of SAWBs:**
* The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) holds regular meetings with State Animal Welfare Board officials to review animal welfare issues.
* These meetings aim to strengthen the implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and related rules.
* There is no budgetary support for State Boards from the central government. The State Boards operate independently, with necessary budgetary arrangements provided by the State Governments.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** *State Governments/Union Territory Administrations*
* **Impact**: Responsible for constituting and maintaining State Animal Welfare Boards (SAWBs) as per Supreme Court directives. Required to enforce animal welfare laws and policies within their jurisdiction. Maintain records of registered pet shops and dog breeders. Provide budgetary support for the functioning of SAWBs within their state/territory.
* **Action Required**: Ensure that SAWBs are established and functional. Provide adequate resources for SAWBs to operate effectively. Enforce the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and related rules. Maintain records of registered pet shops and dog breeders.
**Stakeholder:** *Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)*
* **Impact**: Holds meetings with State Animal Welfare Board officials to strengthen the implementation of animal welfare laws.
* **Action Required**: Continue conducting regular meetings with SAWBs. Monitor the functionality and effectiveness of SAWBs across the country.
**Stakeholder:** *Pet Shops and Dog Breeders*
* **Impact**: Required to register with State Animal Welfare Boards (SAWBs) in States/Union Territories where such registration is enforced. Must comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018.
* **Action Required**: Register with the respective State Animal Welfare Board (SAWB) if operating in a State/Union Territory that enforces registration. Comply with all applicable animal welfare regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
State Animal Welfare Boards (SAWBs): State-level bodies responsible for implementing animal welfare laws and policies.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The central government ministry overseeing animal welfare policies and programs.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960: The central legislation addressing the prevention of cruelty to animals.
Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI): A statutory advisory body to the Government of India on animal welfare laws and policies.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018: Rules that State Animal Welfare Boards are authorized to register pet shops and dog breeders.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1627
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10TH FEBRUARY, 2026
STATE ANIMAL WELFARE BOARDS
1627 SHRI G LAKSHMINARAYANA:
SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS:
SHRI APPALANAIDU KALISETTI:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of State Animal Welfare Boards (SAWBs) established across the country,
State/UT-wise;
(b) the current functional status of each SAWB, indicating whether fully operational, partially
functional or inactive, State-wise;
(c) the sanctioned strength of officials and staff, number in position and number of vacancies in
each SAWB, State/UT-wise;
(d) the number of pet shops and dog breeders registered by these Boards, year-wise since inception
of scheme, year and State-wise;
(e) the number of reports submitted by each SAWB to the Ministry and the details thereof;
(f) the number of meetings held, frequency of meetings and details of the most recent meeting,
including key decisions taken in this regard;
(g) whether there are any reported challenges in operationalising SAWBs and if so, the details
thereof; State/UT-wise; and
(h) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to strengthen SAWBs, including
budgetary support, capacity building and monitoring mechanisms?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)
(a) 35 States and UTs across the Country except the UT of Lakshadweep have formed the State
Animal Welfare Boards in compliance of the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
(b) The State-wise details of current functional status of each SAWB, indicating whether fully
operational, partially functioning or inactive, is enclosed at Annexure – I(c) State Animal Welfare Boards (SAWBs) have been constituted by the respective State
Governments/Union Territory Administrations in compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble
Supreme Court of India in W.P.(C) No.440 of 2000 dated 6.8.2008 and in W.P(C) No.881 of 2014
dated 13.7.2015, to effectively implement animal welfare laws and policies. The manpower
engaged by the various State Government as per the need, is not maintained.
(d) There is no separate scheme for registration of pet shops and dog breeders. However, the
Central Government has notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and
Marketing) Rules, 2017 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, under
which the State Animal Welfare Boards are authorized to register pet shops and dog breeders
operating within their respective States/Union Territories. The details of number of pet shops and
dog breeders registered by the SAWBs are maintained by the respective States/Union Territories.
(e) & (f) At present, there is no statutory or legal provision mandating the State Animal
Welfare Boards (SAWBs) to submit reports and reporting of meetings to the Animal Welfare Board
of India (AWBI) or to the Ministry.
(g) No such information received.
(h) The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Animal Welfare Board of India
(AWBI) has held regular meetings with the officials of the State Animal Welfare Boards to review
animal welfare issues, to strengthen the implementation of the provisions of the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Rules made thereunder, and to ensure prevention of
unnecessary pain or suffering to animals.
However, there is no provision for budgetary support to the State Board. The State Board are
working independently and the necessary budgetary arrangements are made by the State
Government for their functioning.
*****Annexure –I
Status of State Animal Welfare Boards Constituted by State Governments and Union Territory
Administrations
S. No State Fully Operational Partially functional Inactive
1 Andaman & Nicobar Islands Yes
2 Assam Yes
3 Andhra Pradesh Yes
4 Arunachal Pradesh Yes
5 Bihar Yes
6 Chandigarh Yes
7 Chhattisgarh Yes
Dadra & Nagar Haveli (Diu &
8 Yes
Daman)
9 Goa Yes
10 Gujarat Yes
11 Himachal Pradesh Yes
12 Haryana Yes
13 Jharkhand Yes
14 Jammu & Kashmir Yes
15 Kerala Yes
16 Karnataka Yes
17 Maharashtra Yes
18 Meghalaya Yes
19 Mizoram Yes
20 Madhya Pradesh Yes
21 Manipur Yes
22 Delhi Yes
23 Nagaland Yes
24 Odisha Yes
25 Punjab Yes
26 Puducherry Yes
27 Rajasthan Yes
28 Sikkim Yes
29 Tamil Nadu Yes
30 Telangana Yes
31 Tripura Yes
32 Uttarakhand Yes
33 Uttar Pradesh Yes
34 West Bengal Yes
35 Ladakh Yes
36 Lakshadweep Yes