SPCA meet after year, welfare work hit

Surat: A general meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was held in the city on Monday after a gap of a year, with members expressing concern that the delay affected animal welfare work.Members said the absence of regular meetings stalled decisions on key issues, as approvals and action plans could not be finalised without the committee's consent. The SPCA plays a crucial role in animal welfare, including approving expenditure for animal care.During the meeting, members stressed that the committee's role has become more significant amid the rising dog population, which has emerged as a major concern across the country. They emphasised the need for regular meetings to ensure timely decisions on animal birth control and other welfare measures.District govt officials said executive committee meetings were held regularly, while the general meeting could not take place in 2024–25 due to elections."The meeting should be held regularly to address important issues. We have observed that action gets delayed when meetings are not conducted," said member Ashit Gandhi.Members also urged the civic body to develop an animal hospital to strengthen treatment facilities, pointing out the lack of quality animal care infrastructure between Navsari and Anand."Regular meetings are essential so that decisions on issues like animal birth control and dog population can be taken in time," said member Kaushik Rana.