Pet Adoption Laws in India for Dogs

Dogs as pets have always been known to bring positive energy into the lives and homes of anyone who adopts one. While a significant number of people choose to adopt pets in India, not all of them are familiar with the various laws concerned with pet adoption. This piece shall familiarize you with such laws that you must be aware of when planning to adopt a pet in India.

• The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) while referring to Article 21 of the Constitution of India notes that anyone who wishes to provide a safe haven to dogs is at the liberty to do so.
• While anyone that wishes to adopt a pet can choose to do so, there is no Pan-India law that defines how to obtain dog license for your dog. However, pet owners can still register their pets with the local municipal authorities, depending on their city and state.

People often think that there is no genuine requirement to get your dog registered and obtain a license for them. However, it has now been mandated for all pet owners must get their pets registered. Besides, there are numerous benefits that you avail after getting your dog registered with the relevant authority. Following are some benefits of doing so:

• Obtaining the license is cheaper than paying a fine for not having one.
• Acts as proof of your dog being aptly vaccinated.
• If you wish to take your pet to dog shows, you can only do so after registering them. They will not be permitted to take part in any dog show if they are not registered.
• Dog breeders and potential dog owners are prohibited to breed any unregistered dogs by the Government of India.
• All the details of your dog can be accessed through their registration, which often comes along with a microchip. This microchip is quite helpful, especially when it comes to tracking and finding your dog in case it gets lost.

When it comes to registering a pet in India, there are two viable methods – registering with the Kennel Club of India (KCI) or registering with the local municipality.

Registering with KCI

The Dog Breed Standards of India is maintained by the Kennel Club of India (KCI). KCI basically allows for two types of registrations for dogs in India – litter registrations and single dog registrations.

Litter Registration

Puppies born to registered dogs can be registered through this method. Both the Sire (male parent) and the Dam (female parent) must be registered with the KCI and should bear a KCI-approved microchip in India.

Few things to keep in mind during litter registration:

• The registration form and the registration fee for each puppy must be submitted together.
• The registration fee may vary depending upon the puppy’s age.
• Litter registration forms must be submitted within 90 days or 4 months of the birth of puppies. Failing to do so shall lead to the puppies being registered with unknown parents.
• The demand draft must be made to ‘Kennel Club of India,’ which shall be payable at Chennai.

Single Dog Registration

Dogs with unknown parentage are registered through this method. A Certificate of Opinion must be obtained by an authorized individual for your dog before applying for registration.

Note: Any dog registered through this process is shown to have unknown parentage.

Registering with the Local Municipality

S. No.	City	Pet Registration Laws	Required Documents/Details	Fee
1	Delhi/National Capital Region	As per Section 399 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, it is mandatory for all dog owners to register their pet.	Vaccination proof, photograph and proof of address.	Annual registration of INR 500
2	Mumbai	As per Section 14, Rule 22(a) sub-clause 386 of the Maharashtra Municipal Provincial Act, all pet owners must get a license for their dogs.	Address proof, photograph, latest vaccination reports, owner’s contact information, vet’s name, and the details of their clinic.	First-time fee of INR 75 Renewal charges for the same are INR 50
3	Gurgaon	Although the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) provides for pet registration, it is not compulsory.	Medical and neutering certificates.	Dogs and Cats can be registered for a fixed annual charge of INR 500
4	Chandigarh	Under the Chandigarh Registration of Pet Dog Bylaws, 2010 issued by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (CMC), it is mandatory for pet owners to register their pets that are over 4 months old. (Note: Blind individuals are exempted from licensing fees and the registration for their pet shall be valid till the time the pet is alive. Besides, each family is only allowed to have 2 dogs.)	Relevant form must be accompanied by photographs of the dog, color, breed, age and vaccination certificates.	Registration fee of INR 200
5	Pune	The Municipality of Pune offers the option for advance registration of pets for 10 years. Besides, the pet must be re-registered every year.	Three passport size photographs, anti-rabies certificates, pet owner’s address proof.	INR 500
6	Chennai	The Greater Chennai Corporation is the entity that issues dog licenses. Along with the license, you also get free immunization from corporation-run clinics in the city.	Name of the dog, its breed, color, and age. You must also submit the contact details of the dog owner.	INR 50
7	Lucknow	You can get your pets registered at Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC). You must renew the registration annually to avoid the penalty (INR 5000) for non-renewal.	Rabies vaccination certificate, photograph of the pet, and other details like name, age, breed, etc.	For big dogs – INR 500 For Small Dogs – INR 300 For Indie Dogs – INR 200
8	Noida	Noida is yet to establish any pet registration laws	-	-

Adopting Dogs from Breeders

Any dog bought from the breeder shall be accompanied by a KCI certificate that has a microchip. A Transfer of Ownership form, signed by the breeder, shall be attached alongside this certificate, which shall signify the transfer of ownership of the dog. This form may be used to register your dog at your local KCI.

Anyone looking to get a dog will usually find that breeders offer them newborn puppies and not adult dogs. If you are planning to get an adult one, you may visit a shelter to adopt a dog.

Note: Dog breeders must be registered with the State Animal Welfare Board of their respective states.

Pedigree Dogs

‘Pedigree Dogs’ is basically a term used to refer to imported or high breed dogs, like the Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, Golden Retrievers, Doberman, and Rottweiler.

• The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) banned the practice of importing dog breeds in 2016. The DGFT notification stated that import dog breeds shall only be permitted for defense and police force and for R&D organizations that require canines. In addition, if a dog was used as a pet by an individual abroad, they shall be allowed to import their dog(s).
• This ban prevents breeders from importing any pedigree dog; it shall also prevent the suffering of thousands of dogs in the country. As per People for Animal (PFA), considering a significant number of pedigree dogs often end up on the streets, this move shall help prevent the rise in the street dog population.

You must also understand that not all dog breeds are comfortable in the Indian climate. Considering several dogs like Huskies, St. Bernards, Korean Mastiffs, and Tibetan Mastiffs are more suited to low temperatures and snowy conditions, this ban shall prevent the import of dogs that are not comfortable in the Indian climate.

Fierce Dogs

Following are some dogs categorized as ‘fierce’ in India:

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Doberman
• Pinscher
• Rottweiler
• Bullmastiff
• German Shepherd
• Himalayan Mastiff, Indian Mastiff

Banned Breeds

Following are some dog breeds that are banned in India:

• American Bull Dog
• Bandog (a large dog that is a result of cross breeding between a mastiff and a bulldog)
• Neapolitan Mastiff (one of most ancient dog breeds)
• Wolf Dog
• Boerboel
• Dogo Argentino
• Presa Canario
• Fila Brasileiro
• Tosa Inu

Conclusion

Dogs as pets have always brought love and joy to families, quite often becoming a valued member of the family they are living with. However, considering there are certain guidelines associated with pets, which have been established by the Government, it is imperative to familiarize yourself with such rules and regulations to ensure your pets are legally protected. Besides, you must ensure you do not get a banned dog breed as a pet, or you may have to part with it when the local authorities take it away.