The ABC or the Animal Birth Control Programme is a government directive under which stray dogs have to be sterilised and vaccinated to control their population and prevent transmission of fatal diseases such as rabies.

A few years ago, stray dogs were killed cruelly as a solution to arrest their population. It was inhumane and also not a viable solution.

The ABC or the Animal Birth Control Programme was put forward by the World Health Organisation as a practical and kind solution to control stray dog population. The Government of India in the Dog Rules 2001, has asked municipalities in cities to work with NGOS and other animal welfare organisations to implement the programme.

As per the programme, stray dogs should be caught and sterilized and vaccinated as per the guidelines of the government. These dogs should also be returned to their original localities. It is also instructed that no dogs should be killed, harmed or dislocated.

Utkarsh conducts regular sterilization and vaccination drives in Mumbai. Every month, around 500-600 animals are sterilized and vaccinated. Utkarsh aims to make Mumbai rabies-free in the near future.

You can organise the sterilization and vaccination drives in your neighbourhood.