Mumbai Battles Stray Dog Crisis as Shelters Struggle to House 90,000 Canines

As of November 9th, 2025, Mumbai is grappling with a staggering stray dog population that exceeds 90,600 canines. However, the city currently has only 8 shelters available to accommodate these strays, a stark mismatch that has raised serious concerns.

In a recent directive, the Supreme Court has ordered the relocation of these stray dogs to designated shelters after they undergo sterilization and vaccination. This move aims to address the "alarming rise" in dog bite incidents within institutional areas like educational institutions, hospitals, and railway stations, which the court has deemed a "systemic failure" to secure these premises from preventable hazards.

To implement the court's order, Mumbai will need to enhance its capacity for removing stray dogs from public spaces and shifting them to the limited number of dog shelters. Robust monitoring and execution will be crucial, as the city's authorities estimate that even if 30-40% of the stray dogs are removed from certain public areas, the shelters will need to accommodate around 40,000 canines.

The challenge lies in the fact that the average lifespan of a dog is between 12 and 15 years, and the authorities will be required to appoint dog handlers, veterinarians, and make arrangements for the animals' food and water at the shelters. This exercise, if not executed effectively, could prove to be a never-ending affair, draining tremendous resources, according to animal welfare activists.