Animal welfare efforts in Goa have suffered a major setback after the Panjim Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) suspended its stray dog sterilisation programme, citing prolonged delays in payments from the state government. The decision has raised concerns over the future of stray dog population management in Panaji and surrounding areas, where the organisation has played a crucial role in animal birth control for several years.
PAWS, one of Goa’s leading animal welfare organisations, performs more than 3,000 stray dog sterilisation surgeries annually as part of the state’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. However, the NGO stated that it has not received reimbursement for surgeries conducted since April 1, 2025, making it financially unsustainable to continue operations. The suspension is expected to significantly impact ongoing efforts to control the stray dog population through humane sterilisation measures.
The development comes days after the Goa Animal Federation (GAF) expressed serious concerns regarding the state’s Grant-in-Aid scheme for animal welfare organisations. According to GAF, the government currently reimburses NGOs only ₹1,800 per sterilisation, while the actual cost of conducting a single surgery, including medical care and post-operative recovery, is estimated to be around ₹3,500. The federation also criticised the scheme for restricting NGOs from raising funds through alternative sources while simultaneously delaying reimbursements, in some cases by as long as two years.
The funding gap has placed significant financial pressure on organisations working in animal welfare, many of which rely heavily on government support to continue sterilisation and vaccination programmes. Experts believe that prolonged interruptions in sterilisation drives could lead to a rise in the stray dog population, making future animal birth control efforts more challenging and increasing concerns related to public health, animal welfare and human-animal conflict.
Reacting to the issue, Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Councillor Surendra Furtado urged the Goa government to release all pending payments to PAWS without further delay. He called for outstanding dues to be cleared within seven days and stressed the need for a transparent system that ensures timely monthly reimbursements. According to Furtado, NGOs should not be forced to struggle for operational funds while delivering essential public welfare services on behalf of the government.
Meanwhile, Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Nitin Naik stated that the department had not received any official communication from PAWS regarding the suspension of its sterilisation programme. He said the department would seek an explanation from the organisation before taking further action. Naik also assured that the state’s five government veterinary hospitals, including the facility at Tonca, Panaji, would continue carrying out sterilisation procedures for stray dogs brought in by the Corporation of the City of Panaji.
Animal welfare advocates have long argued that sustained sterilisation programmes remain one of the most effective and humane methods of controlling stray dog populations while reducing the risk of rabies, improving public safety and promoting better coexistence between humans and animals. They warn that disruptions caused by funding shortages could undermine years of progress made through coordinated animal birth control initiatives.
The suspension by PAWS has once again highlighted the financial challenges faced by NGOs implementing government-supported welfare programmes. Stakeholders are now urging authorities to address funding delays, review reimbursement mechanisms and establish a more sustainable partnership with animal welfare organisations to ensure uninterrupted implementation of stray animal management programmes across Goa.
Disclaimer: This report has been editorially prepared using publicly available information and official statements. Readers are advised to refer to official government announcements for further updates.
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