Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – The Lucknow Municipal Corporation’s (LMC) Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, launched in 2019, has earned nationwide praise as a model for humane stray dog management. On August 23, 2025, the Supreme Court hailed the initiative as India’s benchmark, urging other cities to follow its “capture, sterilise, vaccinate, release” approach. With over 84% of the city’s stray dogs sterilised and vaccinated, Lucknow is showing how to balance animal welfare with public safety.
Partnering with NGOs like Humane World for Animals India, the LMC has tackled the city’s stray dog population, which grew from 75,000 in 2019 to about 1.2 lakh in 2025 due to urban expansion. Despite this, the programme has slashed the stray dog birth rate from eight newborns per 100 dogs to under four. Only 2% of female strays are now lactating, down from 13% in 2019, proving the programme’s impact. Each day, teams sterilise and vaccinate 60 to 65 dogs, marking them with a V-shaped ear notch for easy identification. This effort has also cut dog-related complaints, like bites, by addressing over 28,000 cases through focused campaigns.
The Supreme Court’s nod came after a controversial August 2025 order to remove strays from Delhi-NCR sparked protests. On August 22, the court shifted gears, endorsing Lucknow’s model for its humane and effective methods. Dedicated feeding zones and helplines, already part of Lucknow’s strategy, are now recommended nationwide. The programme’s success lies in its community focus, workshops, volunteers, and education campaigns have helped residents and dogs coexist peacefully.
Looking ahead, the Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Department is set to expand the “Lucknow Model” across the state. With 17 ABC centres already running, two new ones are planned for Lucknow and Ghaziabad, backed by a ₹34 crore state fund. A first-of-its-kind training centre in Lucknow will soon teach veterinary surgeons and staff the ABC method, aiming for 90% sterilization and vaccination coverage by year’s end. The LMC is also using AI-enabled cameras to improve dog identification and plans a new stray dog shelter.
Challenges remain, though. A 2024 court order flagged rising dog bite complaints, pushing for better monitoring. Still, animal welfare advocates see the programme as a win, avoiding cruel measures like culling. “This is about compassion and results,” said Dr. Piyush Patel from Humane World for Animals India. “Lucknow proves we can manage strays humanely while keeping people safe.” As the city works toward a 90% target, its approach offers hope for a national solution to stray dog issues.
