The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has announced a series of initiatives aimed at promoting animal welfare, public safety and responsible pet ownership across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with a mass sterilisation programme planned for January 2026 and a pet-centric public event scheduled later this month.
Under the Partnering for Animal Welfare and Sterilization initiative, the department will undertake a Mass Animal Birth Control programme during January, targeting pet dogs across the islands. The programme is intended to address concerns related to uncontrolled breeding, public health risks and animal welfare, while also encouraging pet owners to adopt responsible care practices.
Officials said the initiative places strong emphasis on sterilisation and timely vaccination of pets, noting that both are critical to preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases and ensuring the long-term health of animals as well as the wider community. Pet owners have been urged to cooperate by presenting their dogs for sterilisation under the Animal Birth Control programme and ensuring vaccinations are administered as per prescribed schedules.
The department outlined key responsibilities expected of pet owners, including keeping pets vaccinated at appropriate intervals, ensuring pets are properly collared and identifiable, restricting free roaming and preventing uncontrolled breeding through sterilisation. These measures, officials said, are essential to balancing animal welfare with public safety, particularly in densely populated and tourist-heavy areas.
Pet owners seeking to participate in the ABC programme or obtain vaccination services have been advised to approach their nearest government veterinary hospital, dispensary or mobile veterinary unit. Information on available veterinary institutions and services has been made accessible through the department’s official website, enabling wider outreach and easier access to services.
Alongside the welfare initiative, the department is also preparing to host a Pet Show as part of the Island Tourism Festival 2025. The event is scheduled to be held on December 28 from 3 pm onwards at the ITF Ground, providing a public platform for showcasing pets while reinforcing the importance of responsible ownership.
Pet owners interested in participating in the show have been asked to submit registration details, including information related to the pet’s breed, age, gender, vaccination record and physical attributes. Registrations can be submitted at the Veterinary Hospital in Junglighat or via email, as specified by the department. Only vaccinated pets will be permitted to take part in the event, underscoring the department’s focus on health and safety standards.
Officials indicated that the inclusion of a pet show within the tourism festival framework is intended to combine public engagement with awareness-building. By placing pets and their care needs in a high-visibility setting, the department aims to sensitise the public to issues such as vaccination compliance, animal identification and humane treatment.
The dual approach of rolling out a structured sterilisation programme while hosting a celebratory public event reflects a broader strategy to integrate animal welfare into everyday civic life. While the ABC programme addresses long-term population management and disease prevention, the pet show is expected to encourage dialogue and awareness among pet owners and the general public.
The department has called for active cooperation from citizens to ensure the success of both initiatives, emphasising that collective participation is key to creating a safer, healthier and more humane environment. With tourism footfall and urban expansion increasing across the islands, officials view responsible pet ownership as an essential component of sustainable community living.
Together, the January sterilisation drive and the ITF pet show signal a renewed push by the administration to place animal welfare higher on the public agenda, combining regulatory measures with outreach and engagement-driven initiatives.
