Not Registering Your Dog in Mumbai Is Now Illegal

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally introduced a much-needed set of rules for pet owners, animal feeders, housing societies, schools, tech parks, and public institutions across Mumbai.

These guidelines are based on Supreme Court rulings and directives from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), and include the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023, an official BMC statement said.

The guidelines are expected to bring clarity and harmony to a space that often sparks heated debates. The detailed guidelines are available on the Civic Veterinary Health Department’s website: vhd.mcgm.gov.in.

For years, pet parents and animal lovers in Mumbai have struggled with unclear rules, conflicts with housing societies, and a lack of support when it came to caring for stray animals. At the same time, residents who had concerns about safety, cleanliness, and space have also felt unheard. 

In the statement, the BMC observed that there has been a noticeable rise in the number of people adopting dogs as pets, and that many animal lovers and activists are also extending care to street animals by feeding and offering medical assistance. They acknowledged that tensions often arise between pet owners or street animal caregivers and housing societies or residential associations. In light of this, the civic body stated that it had become essential to introduce clear and structured guidelines to manage these interactions and reduce friction.

 Promising a more balanced approach, these rules encourage the protection of the rights of animals and their caregivers while also respecting the shared spaces we all live in. 

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Here’s a simple breakdown of the new guidelines for each group of people they apply to:

For Pet Owners:

• All pet dogs must be registered with BMC under Section 191B of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888.
• Keep your pets clean, vaccinated, dewormed, and ideally sterilised.
• Always use a leash in public. And yes, cleaning up after your dog is mandatory.
• Pets are allowed in lifts and common spaces. If needed, societies can recommend alternate lifts, but they can’t ban pets.
• Aggressive pets should be trained, and kids under 18 should not walk dogs alone.

Rules for Animal Feeders:

• Feeding stray animals like dogs and cats is legal and protected.
• Choose clean, safe spots for feeding, away from kids’ areas or crowded walkways.
• Use fresh cooked food only, and feed only the amount that gets over at once. No raw meat or leftovers will be tolerated.
• Try to help sterilise and vaccinate the animals you feed.
• Feed early in the morning or late evening when fewer people are around.

For Housing Societies (RWAs & AOAs):

• Banning pets or placing size limits is against the law.
• Residents cannot be banned from feeding strays. But clean feeding zones and safe timings can be decided. 
• Harming animals or harassing feeders is a punishable offence.
• Societies are encouraged to set up Animal Welfare Committees under ABC Rules 2023.

For Schools, Offices & Public Places:

• If dogs or cats live on the premises, sterilise, vaccinate, and return them to their area. Relocation is illegal.
• Make sure they have food, water, and shelter.
• Staff should be trained to treat animals kindly.
• Put up awareness posters to help people learn how to live peacefully with street animals.

Need help or want to register your pet? Call the BMC Dog Control Unit at 9635839888 or visit https://vhd.mcgm.gov.in.

With these new regulations in place, Mumbai is taking a big step toward becoming a more compassionate and well-organised city for animals and humans alike. Pet parents now have stronger legal backing, feeders are better protected, and housing societies have a clear playbook to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

By following these rules, BMC is trying to make sure its city is safe, clean, and welcoming.