The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Chandigarh administration to urgently improve living conditions for animals housed at government-run shelters, particularly those shifted to a temporary facility in Raipur Kalan following renovation work at the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Sector 38 West.
The directive was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Sehjeevi Trust, a city-based NGO. The court has sought a detailed reply from the administration by July 29.
The trust, in its plea, raised serious concerns over the welfare of animals relocated to Raipur Kalan, alleging that the site lacks even the most basic amenities. The animals, it claimed, are confined to a cramped and poorly maintained environment without proper sanitation, separate defecation zones, clean water, or adequate ventilation. The plea further pointed out the absence of essential veterinary infrastructure, including an operational operation theatre, diagnostic machines, and a CCTV monitoring system.
According to the trust, the temporary relocation has also resulted in reduced volunteer participation, as the remote location limits access for those who regularly assisted at the previous SPCA shelter. Despite repeated written representations to the authorities over the past two months, no corrective action has been taken, the plea stated.
The PIL also called for increased budgetary allocations for food and medical care, and demanded a probe into alleged misappropriation of funds earmarked for animal welfare. It cited findings from a 2020 Animal Welfare Board of India inspection report that highlighted multiple irregularities at the SPCA facility—issues which, the trust said, remain unaddressed even after five years.
At a recent press conference, Sehjeevi Trust revealed information obtained through RTI, claiming that 96% of the SPCA’s annual budget is spent on employee salaries, while less than 1% is allocated for animal medical care and just 3% for food—despite these being the shelter’s core responsibilities.
Following media coverage and public outrage, the UT administrator visited the facility last month, but the trust contends that substantial changes are yet to be made.
The High Court has now emphasized the need for humane treatment, adequate food and medical facilities, and overall well-being of shelter animals, directing that steps be taken without delay.
