Panaji/Margao: The state government has spent Rs 4.19 crore on animal welfare NGOs and organisations for dog population control measures, including street dog sterilisation camps and outreach programmes over the past three financial years, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar told the House on Wednesday.
However, despite these efforts, concerns persist regarding the growing number of stray dogs—particularly on beaches—where an increase in dog bite cases has been reported.
Replying to a question raised by Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, the minister said that during the financial year 2022–2023, Rs 55.28 lakh was spent through NGOs such as People for Animals, Curti-Ponda, and Panaji Animal Welfare Society, St Inez.
In 2023–2024, Rs 1.28 crore was spent through People for Animals (Shantinagar-Vasco and Curti-Ponda) and Panaji Animal Welfare Society.
For the current financial year 2024–2025 (till date), Rs 2.35 crore has been spent through People for Animals (Shantinagar-Vasco and Curti-Ponda), Noah’s Animal Care Shelter (Calangute), Panjim Animal Welfare Society (St Inez), Goa Animal Welfare Trust (Curchorem), and South Goa Animal Welfare Trust (Margao), the minister said.
The reply also listed sterilisation camps held across Goa.
In Salcete taluka during 2023, a total of 2,593 dogs were sterilised during the ‘All Dogs Matter’ camp in Margao on October 15. Another 786 dogs were sterilised in Chinchinim by Worldwide Veterinary Services.
In 2024, 509 dogs were sterilised in Curtorim (Salcete) and 750 in Shiroda (Ponda), both managed by Worldwide Veterinary Services. In 2025, two major camps were held in Salcete: 535 dogs were sterilised at the Fatorda camp on January 5, and 562 dogs at the coastal belt beach camp in Colva on April 31. These were conducted by Worldwide Veterinary Services and South Goa Welfare Trust for Animals.
Halarnkar said that after sterilisation, local area officers verify procedures by examining and counting the organs, after which an organ count certificate is issued.
The minister said the objective of the camps is to sterilise and vaccinate stray dogs to control population and prevent the spread of rabies.
