Since 2013, Humane World for Animals India has been working to change the lives of street dogs across the country. With cities like Vadodara, Dehradun, and Rishikesh proving that humane dog management is effective, the focus shifted to Lucknow, one of the most challenging cities for such initiatives.
In North India’s Uttar Pradesh, the Animal Birth Control (ABC) facility in Jarhara, provided by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) to Humane World for Animals, has been at the center of this high-volume spay/neuter and vaccination program since 2019. This facility plays a pivotal role in transforming the city’s street dog population, with impressive results. A monitoring survey in December 2024 found that 84.3% of Lucknow’s street dogs had been sterilized and vaccinated.
Engaging the Community
Street dog sterilization is not just about surgeries; it’s about changing perceptions, fostering responsibility, and engaging communities in the process. Humane World for Animals has made community engagement a cornerstone of its approach. As Dr. Vishakha Shukla, founder of Nawabi Tails Rescue Foundation, shared, “Humane World for Animals doesn’t just perform surgeries—they ensure people understand why it matters.”
Since 2019, over 15,000 residents from 475 neighborhoods have participated in workshops and training sessions. This community involvement has been critical—20% to 30% of dogs in the program were brought in through the efforts of local residents. In one notable instance in February 2025, members from the Golf City Ansal neighborhood mapped out their complex into zones and collaborated to organize a sterilization and vaccination drive, resulting in 77 dogs being sterilized and vaccinated against rabies.
As volunteer Ghazala Rizvi explained, “There was a cycle of endless suffering—puppies dying on the streets, disputes over feeding, and failed relocation attempts—all that has now turned into a movement for real, lasting change.”
Overcoming Challenges
Sterilizing street dogs in a city like Lucknow has not been easy. The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns were significant obstacles. However, through a 2019 baseline survey estimating 75,000 street dogs in the city, and subsequent biannual surveys, Humane World for Animals has kept track of their progress.
A typical day for their team involves early mornings, with animal handlers traveling across the city to identify unsterilized dogs, coaxing them into the van with compassion, and transporting them to the ABC facility. Each dog is sterilized, vaccinated, and housed for five days before being returned to its original location. The logistics require a well-coordinated team of over 60 people and multiple vehicles.
Expanding Impact
Lucknow’s success demonstrates the potential for humane street dog management in larger cities. Dr. Arvind Rao, additional municipal commissioner for the LMC, noted, “Achieving and maintaining high sterilization and vaccination rates in a city of this size proves that humane and effective street dog management is possible, despite the challenges of an ever-expanding urban landscape.”
Over the years, nearly 30,000 public calls regarding street dogs have been addressed by the community engagement team. These calls, ranging from nuisance complaints to concerns about aggressive behavior and rabies, are met with compassionate responses and solutions.
Moving Forward
What began as a small-scale initiative in Lucknow has grown into a citywide movement. By the end of 2025, the goal is to reach a 90% sterilization rate, bringing Lucknow’s street dog populations closer to a sustainable and compassionate future.
Humane World for Animals’ success in Lucknow is a testament to the power of collaboration, education, and humane management. Their efforts are not only improving the lives of street dogs but also fostering a community that values kindness, responsibility, and long-term solutions.
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