Street Animals: Care & Protection (2025)

What are street animals and why are they called street animals?

Street animals wo hote hain jo bina owner ke sadkon, colonies aur public jagahon par rehte hain. Inka koi permanent ghar nahi hota aur ye zyada tar kutton, billiyon, gaiyon, bandar aur suar ki form mein dikhai dete hain. Ye apni zindagi garbage, leftovers aur logon ke feeding par guzar-basar karte hain.

How many street dogs and cats are there in India?

India mein street animals ki sankhya duniya mein sabse zyada hai. Reports ke mutabiq, street dogs 6–7 crore ke beech hain aur street cats lagbhag 91 lakh hain. Ye population har saal barh rahi hai kyunki sterilization aur adoption ke efforts limited hote hain.

What are the major problems faced by street animals in India?

Street animals rozana bohot si mushkilein face karte hain, jaise:

• Khana aur paani ki kami – aksar gandagi khana padta hai.

• Ghar ki kami – garmi, sardi aur barish mein khule sadkon par rehte hain.

• Sadak durghatna – hazaron street animals road accidents mein mar jaate hain.

• Cruelty aur abuse – log kabhi kabhi inhe maar dete hain.

• Bimariyan – rabies, skin diseases aur malnutrition aam hai.

Why do street animals become aggressive sometimes?

Street animals kabhi-kabhi aggressive isliye hote hain kyunki woh bhookhe, injured ya darr ke andar hote hain. Apni territory protect karne ke liye bhi ye attack kar dete hain. Rabies jaise bimari se unka behavior aur violent ho sakta hai.

How do street animals impact the environment and society?

Street animals ka society aur environment par dono tarah ka asar padta hai. Ek taraf ye garbage khakar waste management mein madad karte hain, lekin unki overpopulation dog bites, street fights, traffic accidents aur noise pollution create karti hai.

What are the common health risks associated with street animals?

Street animals ke health issues humans ke liye bhi risk ban jaate hain, jaise:

• Rabies – sabse khatarnak viral bimari.

• Parasites – fleas, ticks aur worms.

• Skin problems – mange aur fungal infections.

• Food contamination – gandagi khane se infection spread hota hai.

What are the laws for protecting street animals in India?

India mein street animals ki protection ke liye strong laws bane hain. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 ke tahat cruelty punishable hai. IPC Sections 428 & 429 mein animals ko injure ya maarne par jail aur fine dono ho sakte hain. Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001 ke mutabiq sterilization aur vaccination mandatory hai.

What rights do street animals have under the Indian Constitution?

Indian Constitution ke Article 51A(g) ke under citizens ka duty hai animals ko protect karna. Supreme Court ne bhi kaha hai ki street animals ko basic right to live milta hai aur unki feeding ya care rokna illegal hai.

Is feeding street animals legal in India?

Haan ✅ street animals ko feed karna bilkul legal hai. Courts ne feeding ko ek humanitarian act maana hai. RWAs aur authorities ise ban nahi kar sakte, lekin feeding safe aur hygienic jagah par karna chahiye.

Can Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) stop people from feeding street animals?

RWAs feeding ko completely stop nahi kar sakte. Woh sirf safe aur designated spots decide kar sakte hain jahan feeding easily aur clean way se ho. Feeding karte waqt safety aur cleanliness maintain karna important hai.

What are the punishments for harming or killing street animals?

Street animals ko harm karne par kanoon mein strict punishment hai:

• IPC 428 – kisi street animal ko injury dene par 2 saal jail + fine.

• IPC 429 – severe injury ya death par 5 saal jail + fine.

• Prevention of Cruelty Act ke tahat bhi imprisonment aur fine hota hai.

Which government bodies handle animal welfare in India?

India mein street animals ke welfare ke liye kai authorities kaam karti hain:

• Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) – national authority.

• Municipal Corporations – sterilization aur street management.

• State Animal Welfare Boards – state level schemes.

• NGOs & Forest Department – rescue aur awareness drives.

How can citizens help in controlling the street animal population?

Har citizen apna role nibha sakta hai:

• Adopt karein instead of buying pets.

• Sterilization drives mein support karein.

• Vaccination aur medical help provide karein.

• Safe feeding spots par khana de.

• Cruelty cases turant report karein.

What is the process of sterilization and vaccination for street animals?

Sterilization ek surgery hoti hai jisme street animals ko spay/neuter karke breeding roki jaati hai. Vaccination (jaise rabies vaccine) unki health aur public safety dono ke liye zaroori hai. Municipal corporations aur NGOs yeh process implement karte hain.

What is the role of NGOs in helping street animals?

NGOs street animals ke liye backbone ki tarah kaam karte hain. Ye log injured animals ka treatment karte hain, sterilization aur vaccination programs chalate hain, adoption campaigns organize karte hain aur awareness drive bhi karte hain. Kuch NGOs cruelty cases mein legal help bhi dete hain.

Why is adoption of street animals better than buying pets?

Adoption ek humanity-driven choice hai. Street animals naturally loyal aur adaptive hote hain. Adoption se ek jaan bachaai ja sakti hai aur street population bhi kam hota hai. Pets kharidna aksar breeding mills aur exploitation ko badhawa deta hai.

How to report animal cruelty cases in India?

Agar aapko street animals ke saath cruelty dikhe toh aap:

• Police helpline 100 par call karein.

• FIR lodge karein under IPC 428 & 429.

• Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) ko inform karein.

• NGOs jaise PETA India se bhi madad le sakte hain.

What steps can local communities take for street animal management?

Communities ke collective efforts street animals ke liye bohot helpful hote hain:

• Designated feeding spots banayein.

• Sterilization aur vaccination drives support karein.

• Street animals ko community pets banayein.

• Awareness aur education campaigns chalayein.

How can schools and colleges spread awareness about street animal care?

Schools aur colleges bachchon mein compassion jagane ka best medium hote hain. Ye workshops, student clubs, NGO tie-ups aur awareness programs ke zariye street animal care ko promote kar sakte hain. Adoption campaigns bhi ek effective step hai.

Are there any successful street animal management models in other countries?

Kai desh street animal issue ko effectively manage kar chuke hain. Turkey mein feeding stations aur shelters hain, Romania ne mass sterilization programs chalaye, Thailand mein temples animals ko adopt karte hain, aur Germany mein strict laws aur shelters ki wajah se street animal problem almost khatam ho gayi hai.

Conclusion

Street animals are part of our environment and culture. While they face many challenges, with awareness, compassion, and proper laws, we can ensure they live healthier and safer lives. Taking small steps like feeding, adopting, and supporting NGOs can bring big changes in their lives.

FAQs

Q1. Why are street animals important?

They help maintain ecological balance and are part of India’s cultural heritage.

Q2. Can I feed street animals in India?

Yes, the Supreme Court allows feeding street animals in designated areas.

Q3. How can I adopt a street animal?

Contact local NGOs, shelters, or animal welfare groups to adopt.

Q4. Are there any penalties for harming street animals?

Yes, harming animals is a punishable offense under IPC Sections 428 & 429.

Q5. What should I do if I see an injured street animal?

Call local animal rescue NGOs, veterinary clinics, or helplines immediately.