BMC and NGOs intensify sterilisation drives, yet stray numbers surge in Mumbai

Sterilisation is the key to stray animal population control. It is also important as dogs in heat cycles become aggressive and this often causes territorial fights and attacks on people. Representational pic/iStock

In recent years, Mumbai has seen a significant rise in stray animal sterilisation efforts, led by dedicated NGOs, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and municipalities in the greater Mumbai metropolitan region. However, the effort does not match the need, as the number of stray cats and dogs continues to climb and so do cases of animal fights, stray attacks, and infectious diseases among the animals in many pockets of the city.

Behind this growing crisis lies a critical truth: Population control isn't just about managing numbers - it's about survival, safety, and compassion.

Sterilisation is a medical procedure for animals which prevents them from reproducing. In male animals it is called neutering where the testicles are removed while for females, it is spaying where the ovaries and uterus are removed.

Volunteer vets and surgeons participating in the Spay Day initiative of Feline Foundation. Pic/Instagram@thefelinefoundation

Stray animal sterilisation comes with a good share of financial challenges. Many lower-middle-class families and individuals who care for strays simply can't afford the surgeries, leading to an endless cycle of uncontrolled breeding. Sunday mid-day spoke to two key organisations working on the ground to better understand the challenges and the road ahead.

In Versova, the Feline Foundation has been responding to the sharp spike in Mumbai's stray cat population. "There's no official census, but the surge in hotline calls, intakes, and sterilisations says it all," says Pallavi Kamath, the foundation's executive director. "Mumbai's dense environment, coupled with plentiful food sources, means high breeding rates. Today, many stray cats only survive 6-7 years - far below their natural lifespan of 18-20 years."

Unlike dogs, cats are highly territorial and solitary. In overpopulated zones, they often engage in violent territorial disputes, suffer starvation, or fall victim to fatal illnesses. Mumbai's harsh infrastructure - busy roads, open drains, construction debris - only worsens the danger. Reproductive cancers are also common in unneutered cats. "There's a well-meaning but misplaced concern that neutering is unnatural," Kamath says. "But stray overpopulation is also a man-made problem so it's our responsibility to fix it, and sterilisation is humane."

In PAL Foundation's Water Bowl Project, cement water bowls are donated to volunteers all over the city. Pic/Instagram@palfoundation.in

While the BMC has been supportive of cat sterilisation - making Mumbai the only Indian city to institutionalise such efforts - the process is layered with paperwork, and public awareness is sorely lacking. "Bureaucratic formalities slow things down," Kamath explains. "Many people don't even know that free sterilisation services exist. That's one of the biggest challenges we face - educating people and getting access to private properties where strays take shelter."

The story is no different for stray dogs. Deepali Jain, legal coordinator of Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) - a group founded by senior police inspector Sudhir Kudalkar - says the current protocol places too much responsibility on feeders. "Every female dog can give birth to 6-7 puppies. But the BMC only steps in when someone calls. Ideally, there should be designated officials managing sterilisation proactively."

Jain points to gaps in enforcement and coordination. While the BMC has tie-ups with groups like In Defense of Animals and Youth Organistion for Defence of Animals, there is no city-wide strategy. According to PAL, BMC data shows that the stray dog population has reached an estimated 1.64 lakh as of 2023 - marking a staggering 72% increase since 2014.

Overpopulation leads to food scarcity, aggression, and rising cases of dog bites - especially during heat cycles. "Stray dogs recognise only their feeders. When people shoo them, they respond out of fear. That's when bites happen," she says. "They're emotional beings, and they need calm, humane care - not hostility."

PAL also deals with animal cruelty and legal issues - cases of feeders being harassed, animals being hurt or illegally relocated, or territories disrupted by construction. With over 10,000 members in its WhatsApp community and 25-30 volunteer lawyers, PAL has become a legal support system for animal welfare across the country.

But even promising initiatives stumble due to poor outreach. "There's an app to register stray dogs, but no one knows about it," Jain points out. "Without awareness and government-led education programs, we're always a few steps behind."

Despite the hurdles, hope persists. The Feline Foundation recently neutered 105 cats in one day as part of Spay Day, a global event promoting sterilisation awareness. Meanwhile PAL has placed about 5,550 water bowls in Mumbai for dogs in their Free Water Bowl project of 2025. NGOs continue to push forward with zonal surveys, medical camps, and free sterilisation drives.

Yet for any real progress to take root, Mumbai needs a structured, city-wide population control policy - with increased funding, stronger protocols, and consistent public awareness campaigns. As Jain puts it, "We accommodate people in this city with some sort of management. Why not extend that logic to strays? They deserve a lifeline too."

15
Average number of kittens a cat can deliver per year