Mumbai News: BMC Sterilises 24,504 Stray Cats Since 2019; Ropes In 4 More NGOs To Speed Up Drive

Mumbai: Considering the rising complaints about the increasing stray cat population, the BMC engaged four additional NGOs to expedite its sterilisation program. Between August 2019 and July 2025, the initiative successfully sterilised 24,504 cats, with more than half, 13,094 sterilised in the past 18 months alone.

Cat Sterilisation Drive Launched After Rising Bite Complaints

The BMC has been conducting sterilisation drives for stray dogs since 1994. Following complaints about an increase in cat bite incidents, a similar program for stray cats was launched in 2019. To maintain a balanced cat population, only 70% sterilisation is permitted. However, with just two NGOs involved, only 6,392 cats were sterilised between August 2019 and February 2023.

More NGOs Roped In to Accelerate Programme

To accelerate the effort, the BMC brought in four additional NGOs willing to support the drive. Organizations such as Welfare of Stray Dogs, Mumbai Veterinary College, Ahimsa, In Defence of Animals, Utkarsh Global Foundation, and Jeev Raksha Animal Welfare Trust are actively assisting the municipality in this initiative.

"We intensified the drive after several complaints from offices and housing societies. NGOs are working hard, but counting cats remains difficult,” said a senior civic official.

Challenges in Tracking and Catching Stray Cats

He added that during BMC surveys, photos are taken and details like gender and sterilisation status are recorded. However, the process is challenging as cats often hide in buildings, offices, slums, and other hard-to-reach areas.

BMC Allocates ₹6 Crore for Dog and Cat Sterilisation

In 2019, the BMC awarded a three-year contract for cat sterilisation worth Rs 3 crore. For the next three years, Rs 6 crore has been allocated for both dog and cat sterilisation programmes. According to civic sources, the BMC pay Rs 1,600 for male cats and Rs 2,200 for female cats, depending on whether the NGO bears the cost of water and electricity.

Mumbai: BMC Intensifies Cat Sterilization Drive; 4,698 Cats Sterilized In October Alone