Explainer: What is SPCA Chandigarh, and why is it in news

The present crisis at the renovated SPCA facility in Chandigarh stems from a disturbing incident reported exclusively in The Tribune on February 23, saying a pregnant community dog had been unlawfully kept at the Raipur Kalan Animal Birth Control shelter for nearly 60 days — far exceeding the permitted three-day limit.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court took cognizance of the incident and Justice Alka Sarin ordered that all animals be shifted from the old facility to the new SPCA building in Sector 38 West within 10 days, and that the registered volunteers be issued identity cards and allowed access to provide care.

The shifting happened. The cruelty, apparently, did not stop.

Let’s dive into a brief history of SPCA:

SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Chandigarh was registered in 1986 and commenced operations in the same year.

In 1991, its current Unit-2 facility was acquired on a lease by the then privately elected managing body, after which the ground floor of the building was constructed. The first and second floors were subsequently added in 2004, enhancing the shelter’s capacity and improving the infrastructure for animal care.

SPCA was sanctioned a grant-in-aid of Rs 5 lakh under the Scheme for Provision of Shelter House for Looking After the Animal in 2004. The society established itself as a credible social welfare endeavour, working to treat both small and large animals.

UT Administration takes over

In 2015, the UT Administration decided to establish a government-run shelter in place of the SPCA, called Society for Welfare of Animals (SWA), following a report by Poroma Robello, a co-opted member of the Animal Welfare Board of India. Robello reported the poor condition of animals in the shelter, prompting the administration to take over the facility.

Resistance by the NGO

However, Ralhan in May 2015 claimed that the Animal Husbandry Department of Chandigarh was trying to take over the NGO and pressing its officials to merge with the government’s SWA or rechristen the NGO. He also wrote to the administration saying the NGO had been working tirelessly for animal welfare for years without objection.

The proposed merger included several conditions that were not welcomed by the NGO. These included:

No member of the SPCA (NGO) would automatically become part of the newly formed SWA. Those willing would have to re-apply, subject to approval by the governing body.

The NGO would have to intimate its liabilities, which the government would take over subject to approval by the UT Finance Department.

The NGO would have to hand over the land, which it had received on a leasehold basis from the UT Estate Office, unconditionally.

State of the affairs now

SPCA in Sector 38 West, Chandigarh, was recently renovated after Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria paid a surprise visit to the facility in June 2025, and expressed dissatisfaction with the infrastructure and animal care facilities.

Operational challenges persist

The facility, after renovation, is again facing operational challenges that raise questions about whether it is fulfilling its core mandate of animal welfare. Sources said several medicines used for treatment are being supplied through donations from animal lovers.

Staff shortage

The SPCA has a sanctioned staff strength of 24. On Tuesday, however, only two people were present on the premises — a staff member supervising the premises and a sweeper. Staff absenteeism is reportedly linked to delays in salary payments due to administrative issues.

Limited vet presence

Veterinarians attached to the facility reportedly visit for limited durations, spending around two to three hours on site. In their absence, treatment and care of animals is largely handled by private para-vets and a small group of volunteers. Sources reveal that the doctors, hired by the government, have their own private practice.

Concerns over isolation facilities

Concerns were also raised about the absence of isolation facilities for dogs with contagious diseases. At the time of the visit, a mother dog with puppies less than a month old was being housed in close proximity to a puppy suspected to have distemper. In the same area, healthy dogs and young puppies were kept alongside dogs with parvovirus, increasing the risk of infection.

Activists raise transparency issues

Talking to The Tribune, Udit Bhatia, an animal rights activist and co-founder of Megafauna Welfare Foundation, said, “In 2014-15, a key ground for the administration for the takeover of SPCA was opacity and a photography ban imposed by president Ralhan, which the administration wanted addressed. But despite the government having taken over, the issue of non-transparency remains.”

Sanitation concerns

Sanitation at the centre also appeared inadequate. Faeces were seen inside several small cells where animals were confined, reportedly due to a shortage of cleaning staff. The SPCA is meant to rescue animals from the streets, provide treatment, rehabilitation and temporary shelter, and release them after recovery. However, a visit to the facility revealed gaps in staffing, infrastructure and basic animal care.

Space crunch warning

Udit further said, “SPCA Chandigarh risks turning from a health care centre into a dog pound. With barely 30 kennels, reduced land, and rising pressure to house healthy, ‘aggressive’ and notified-area dogs, post SC judgement, space for sick and injured street animals is being squeezed out at the very time the in-house treatment demand reaches 200 plus dogs in summers and monsoon.”

The situation highlights a widening gap between the intended role of the SPCA — to prevent cruelty to animals and provide proper care — and the conditions currently prevailing at the Chandigarh Sector 38 West facility.