Introduction

The Gujarat State Animal Welfare Board is an advisory Board constituted in accordance with the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Writ Petition No. 440/2000 (Miss Geeta Sheshmani Vs. Union of India & Others), vide D.O. No. 2090/2000 PIL (Writ) dated 20/09/2008, for facilitating the implementation of animal welfare and prevention of cruelty to animals laws at the State level. The Board advises the State Government and local authorities on measures to reduce unnecessary pain and suffering to animals.Further, the Agriculture and Cooperation Department issued a resolution dated 30/11/2013 regarding the reconstitution of the Gujarat State Animal Welfare Board. The Board consists of a total of 30 members. The Hon’ble Minister (Animal Husbandry) is the Chairperson of the Board by virtue of office, while the Hon’ble Minister of State (Animal Husbandry) is the Vice-Chairperson by virtue of office, and the Director of Animal Husbandry is the Secretary by virtue of office. The office of the Board is functioning at Gandhinagar.

At the national level, the Animal Welfare Board of India has been established by the Government of India for the effective implementation of the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 at the grassroots level. At the State level, the State Animal Welfare Board has been constituted. At the district level, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Establishment and Regulation of Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Rules, 2001, District Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs) have been constituted in all districts of the State through a notification issued on 05/11/2014.

Accordingly, a three-tier system of animal welfare administration is in place in the country at the National, State, and District levels for carrying out activities related to animal welfare.