The Animal Welfare Board of India is the country’s apex body for promoting the welfare of animals. Established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (No. 59 of 1960), the Animal Welfare Board of India started working under the stewardship of Late Shree Uttam Ji Gupta (Tambi), a well known humanitarian. From ensuring that animal welfare laws in the country are diligently followed, to providing grants to Animal Welfare Organizations and advising the Government of India on animal welfare issues, the Board has been the face of the animal welfare movement in the country for the last 50 years. The Board consists of 21 Members. The term of office of Members is for a period of 17 years. The Board celebrated the Golden Jubilee Year during the current financial year.
The Animal Welfare Board of India continues to be country’s single, largest Non-Profitable organization for animal welfare work. Out of 600 Cows recognized by the Board, over .... Society, who have applied for financial assistance including Gaushalas, AWOs/SPCAs, are given financial assistance to carry out Animal Welfare activities. The financial assistance is given for construction and maintenance of animal shelters, water troughs, purchase of veterinary medicines and equipment, helping Gaushalas and AWOs with Animal ambulances, facilitating the implementation of Animal Birth Control programme for controlling rabies and population of stray dogs and rescue and relief grants to animals affected by natural calamities.
During 2018-19, a sum of Rs..... lakhs was provided as financial assistance to NGOs / SPCAs / AWOs/ Society and Gaushalas.

MANDATE OF THE BOARD

a) To keep the law in force in India for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals under constant study and to advise the Government on the amendments to be undertaken in the animal protection laws from time to time; b) To advise the Central Government on making of rules under this Act with a view to prevent unnecessary pain or suffering to animals generally and more particularly when the animals are being transported from one place to another or when they are used as performing animals or when they are kept in captivity / confinement; c) To advise the Government or any local authority or other person on improvements in the design of vehicles so as to lessen the burden on draught animals; d) To take all such steps as the Board may think fit for amelioration of suffering and pain in animals by encouraging or providing for the construction of sheds, water troughs and the like and by providing veterinary assistance to the animals;

ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA ________________________________________

e) To advise the Government or any local authority or other person in the design of slaughter houses or the maintenance of slaughter houses or in connection with slaughter of animals so that unnecessary pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is eliminated in the pre- slaughter stages as far as possible and animals are killed, wherever necessary, in as humane a manner as possible;
f) To take all such steps as the Board may think fit to ensure that unwanted animals are destroyed by local authorities, whenever it is necessary to do so, either instantaneously or after being rendered insensible to pain or suffering;
g) To encourage by the grant of financial assistance or otherwise, the formation or establishment of Panjarapoles, rescue homes, animal shelters, sanctuaries and the like, where animals and birds may find a shelter when they have become old and useless or when they need protection;
h) To co-operate with and co-ordinate the work of associations or bodies established for the purpose of preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals or for the protection of animals;
i) To give financial and other assistance to Animal Welfare Organisations functioning in any local area or to encourage the formation of Animal Welfare Organisations in any local area which shall work under the general supervision and guidance of the Board;
j) To advise the Government on matters relating to the medical care and attention which may be provided in animal hospitals and to give financial and other assistance to animal hospitals whenever the Board thinks it necessary to do so;
k) To impart education in relation to the humane treatment of animals and to encourage the formation of public opinion against the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering to animals and for the promotion of animal welfare by means of lectures, books, posters, cinematographic exhibitions and the like;
l) To advise the Government on any matter connected with animal welfare or the prevention of infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.

MOBILE ANIMAL CLINIC

The Board is providing on the spot free treatment to animals belonging to the poor and downtrodden people through its mobile animal clinic programme operating from its Headquarters. The Mobile clinic under the In-charge of Veterinary Surgeon of the Board visits predetermined localities in and around the city where the animals are concentrated to treat the animals on the spot free of charge, during forenoons as per the fixed programme.
Ambulance Service: The Animal Welfare Board of Trust responds to public call by helping through treatment of sick and injured stray animals. A variety of clinical cases in cattle, dogs and cats which includes severe trauma, maggot wound and skin diseases were attended.
First aid and vaccination: The Board encourages the public to vaccinate canine animals to prevent rabies.