In a move aimed at promoting responsible pet ownership, the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD), in coordination with the State Animal Welfare Board, has begun the process of amending laws to tighten dog licensing norms and address the issue of pet abandonment.
The initiative follows recent Supreme Court directions asking states to enforce stronger and more humane measures to control stray dog populations.
As per the proposed amendments, abandoning a pet would attract a penalty of ₹5,000 and could lead to imprisonment of up to six months. A new provision on responsible pet ownership is set to be added to both the Panchayat Raj Act and the Kerala Municipality Act. The state also plans to invoke Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with negligent treatment of animals, allowing authorities to impose fines, jail terms, or both for violations, TNIE reported.
State Animal Welfare Board member R Venugopal said the draft amendments are ready and are expected to be rolled out shortly. He noted that abandonment of pet dogs has emerged as a serious concern in Kerala and has contributed significantly to the growing stray dog problem. He explained that compulsory licensing, anti-rabies vaccination, and microchipping of pets would make it easier to trace owners who abandon animals and initiate legal action against them.
Venugopal added that the state also plans to mandate registration and licensing for pet shops and breeders. He said the Animal Welfare Board has decided to enforce the relevant central rules, which have already been officially notified, and that registration and licensing forms are now available on the Animal Husbandry Department’s website.
In a first-of-its-kind measure, the government is also preparing to introduce a home-shelter licensing system for rescued dogs, as part of a broader revamp of animal welfare policies. The move comes amid a shortage of government-run shelters and increasing concern over the number of stray dogs.
Animal Husbandry Minister J Chinchu Rani said the government intends to extend support to private NGOs and individuals who rescue abandoned or stray dogs. She noted that establishing new shelters often faces resistance from local communities, and therefore the immediate focus is on strengthening and supporting existing facilities.
She added that district veterinary officers have been instructed to hold meetings with NGOs and animal welfare volunteers, and that veterinary hospitals would provide free vaccination and sterilisation services for rescued dogs. The government, she said, is also considering supplying free rations to help feed animals taken in by shelters and caregivers.