Dedicated animal shelters to be set up in all districts in AP

Vijayawada: The govt has decided to establish dedicated animal shelters across all districts to address the stray and abandoned animals issue in the state. The move comes amid rising concerns over the safety of animals and the inconvenience caused to people due to their presence in busy public areas.Under the initiative, five animal shelters will be constructed in each district, preferably near constituency headquarters, by utilising funds from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The shelters aim to provide destitute animals with proper accommodation, nutrition, and veterinary care."Each shelter is being planned at an estimated cost of Rs 10 lakh and will require a minimum of half an acre of land. The facilities will be designed to house 20 to 25 large animals. Additional land will be utilised for fodder cultivation, while provisions for drinking water will also be ensured. The revenue department has been tasked with arranging land for the shelters, while the rural development department will oversee construction, with veterinary services handled by the animal husbandry department," animal husbandry director Dr T Damodar Naidu said, adding that day-to-day management of the shelters will be entrusted to selected self-help groups (SHGs), ensuring community participation in the initiative.Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to complete the construction of all shelters by March 31, 2027.