Mumbai Moves to Regulate Feeding of Stray Dogs and Cats, Designating Official “Feeding Zones”

In a move reflecting growing concern over stray-animal management and public safety, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced plans to designate official feeding spots for stray dogs and cats across the city. The decision follows directions from the Supreme Court of India, which recently ordered municipal authorities to identify dedicated feeding zones and strictly prohibit feeding on roads and other public spaces.

Under the new plan, the BMC’s veterinary health department will reach out to community animal-feeders, inviting them to register so they can continue caring for stray animals but only at approved, signed-off locations. Boards will be erected at selected spots to signal the official feeding points.

According to civic officials, the choice of feeding locations will take into account the number of stray animals in each municipal ward and existing community-feeder activity.

“We want to bring order and dignity to how Mumbai cares for its stray animals, while also ensuring public spaces remain safe and clean,” a BMC spokesperson said, requesting anonymity. The move aims to reduce random feeding, which has long led to complaints from residents about hygiene concerns, stray-animal concentration, and occasional conflicts between caregivers, housing societies, and the general public.

The BMC estimates there are approximately 2,000 “community feeders” across Mumbai involved in feeding stray dogs and cats. Under the new scheme, feeders will be expected to abide by certain guidelines feeding only at designated spots, avoiding public thoroughfares, minimizing litter, and cooperating with sterilisation and vaccination drives.

The shift comes in parallel with broader state-level efforts to manage stray dog populations: civic bodies have been directed to capture, sterilise, vaccinate, and register stray animals, with municipal shelters to be maintained for the ones taken off the streets.

Supporters of the move including some animal-welfare advocates argue that it represents a needed balance: stray animals get consistent care, while residents can carry on without fear or disturbance. Critics, however, caution that unless the BMC ensures adequate number and fair distribution of feeding zones, some animals may go hungry or revert to risky scavenging behaviour.

As Mumbai rolls out this new feeding-zone policy, the coming weeks and months may reveal whether the initiative can deliver on its promise or whether more fine-tuning will be needed to reconcile compassion for strays with urban order and public safety.