Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu during the foundation stone laying ceremony of a modern dog shelter at Sector-29, Dwarka, on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Lieutenant-Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for the Capital’s first dedicated dog shelter in Dwarka, nearly a year after the Supreme Court directed authorities to move aggressive and rabies-suspected stray dogs into shelters instead of releasing them back onto the streets after sterilisation.The shelter, to be built by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in Sector-29, Dwarka, will come up on around 6,050 square metres and is expected to be operational by the end of November, said a senior MCD official from the veterinary department. Delhi currently has 20 animal birth control centres for the sterilisation and vaccination of stray dogs, but no dedicated dog shelter.Addressing the gathering, Mr. Sandhu said the shelter should be run with the participation of all stakeholders, including resident welfare associations, animal welfare groups, dog lovers, veterinarians and other experts, to ensure scientific and humane management. He said the project reflected “a collaborative approach between the civic body and the private sector towards improving animal welfare in the city”.The project had been under consideration for years and came into focus after the Supreme Court’s order in August last year. However, it was delayed due to inter-departmental coordination issues, despite the plot in Dwarka being identified soon after the order was pronounced, the official said. While the tender paperwork remained in progress for a long period, the project is now being developed through corporate social responsibility funding by the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation. The official said the project would not involve any expenditure by the MCD.According to him, around 30% of the site will be covered, while the remaining 70% will remain open. “The facility will include separate kennels for aggressive dogs, treatment areas, exercise and play zones, as well as sheds and semi-covered spaces for rescued animals,” he said.On August 22 last year, the Supreme Court directed that dogs suspected to be infected with rabies or displaying aggressive behaviour should be sterilised and vaccinated but should not be released back into public spaces. The court had said such animals should, as far as possible, be housed in separate shelters or pounds after treatment. Published - July 29, 2026 12:58 am IST
