Chennai struggles to relocate stray dogs amid shelter dhortage

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is facing challenges in meeting the Supreme Court’s deadline to relocate stray dogs from public spaces due to a shortage of shelter facilities. So far, only a few dogs, including 40 from the Madras High Court premises, have been shifted to shelters or adopted. Most authorised shelters are already at full capacity, and NGOs have been reluctant to participate because of space constraints. The GCC has identified land in Madhavaram and Velachery to build two new shelters for up to 250 dogs each, with plans to complete them by March 2026. Meanwhile, residents and welfare groups warn that stray dogs continue to pose safety risks, especially near schools and public areas, urging quicker action.