Urgent implementation of AWBI Advisory For Rescue Centers & 24/7 Helpline

08 April 2026

To:

·      Ms Vinothpriya, Principal Secretary  AHVS, Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Government of Karnataka. 

·      Ms Shilpa Nag, Commissioner, AHVS

·      Dr Srinivas, Member Secretary, Karnataka Animal Welfare Board (KAWB).

Subject: Urgent implementation of AWBI Advisory (No. AC-02003/1/2025-AWBI) and Restructuring of AHVS resources in BBMP Zones.

Dear Sir/Madam,

We hope all is well . We  are compelled to write to address  our deep concern regarding the continued non-compliance with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) advisory dated 4th August 2025 (enclosed). This advisory specifically mandated the establishment of a 24x7 helpline and emergency veterinary services for injured and sick animals, citing the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgment in AWBI vs. A. Nagaraja & Ors. (2014).

1. No "Action Taken Report" (ATR) The AWBI advisory explicitly requested an ATR within 30 days of issuance. It is now April 2026, and there is no evidence of a functional, integrated 24x7 helpline or a coordinated emergency response system between the AHVS, KAWB, and Animal Welfare Organizations (AWOs) in Bangalore. The lack of transparency leaves citizens and rescuers in "complete darkness" when dealing with abandoned or abused animals, resulting in avoidable suffering that contravenes the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.

2. Institutional Inertia of the KAWB As the nodal body for the state, the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board should be leading the synergy between government departments and the public. So many reminders and yet board not yet formed and completed. The current lack of engagement and regular consultative meetings suggests a breakdown in the Board’s duty to promote animal welfare in the right direction. We request an immediate meeting to bridge the gap between AHVS and the animal welfare community.

3. Critical Staffing & Infrastructure Gaps in BBMP Zones With the decentralization of BBMP into five zones, after GBA  the AHVS structure has become dangerously fragmented. We observe a severe shortage of personnel, with only 1–2 officers expected to manage entire zones like West or Central. The staff are stretched and this issue is likely to blow up due to spurts in rabies, bites and drops in ABC 

• Workload vs. Capacity: The current pressure on Assistant Directors and Veterinary Officers is unsustainable.

• Infrastructure: Key staff are operating without basic office spaces, and vital units such as Goshala management and slaughterhouse oversight are being handled in a perfunctory manner.

• Staff Vacancies: There is an urgent need to fill Senior Staff, Veterinary Officer, and Group D positions to ensure humane animal management. With 250 vet positions opened up, and  transfer season upon us, I hope we can see some quick action and allotment of critical veterinary staff

Our Urgent Requests:

1. Immediate Release of the ATR: A public disclosure of the steps taken to comply with the AWBI’s 4th August 2025 note.

2. Implementation of the 24x7 Helpline: A clear timeline for when the state/district level emergency reporting system will be operational.

3. Zonal Resource Plan: A systematic review and plan for allocating adequate staff (ADs, VOs, and support staff) and infrastructure to each of the 5 GBA BBMP zones. Also for the KAWB and District SPCAs

4. Public Consultation: An immediate meeting , and then a  scheduled quarterly meeting between AHVS/KAWB and established animal welfare stakeholders to ensure collaborative oversight.

You will appreciate that Animal welfare is not a matter of administrative discretion; it is a statutory mandate. We look forward to a considered response and a time-bound action plan to address these systemic failures.

Thank you 

Yours sincerely,

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

CJ Memorial Trust and many other civic and Animal Welfare groups in Bangalore

Copy to: 

The Commissioner, GBA/BBMP; 

The Chairman, AWBI.

And relevant authorities