FAQ

This page contains a list of frequently asked questions by our community. Before you contact the PFA Mysore shelter with a question, please take a look at this page to see if your question has been answered here. If you have a question or a request that is not of an urgent nature, please submit your question through the form located on this page – https://pfamysore.org/contact-page/. Urgent requests include requests to assist a street animal in distress, requests to pick up and treat medically an animal that has been injured, etc. By using this FAQ page and the form on the contact-page you will help us help you better by focusing on the urgent requests first.

Thank you!

1. How do I contact PFA Mysore?
   You can visit the shelter, make a phone call, or send us an email. All details are available at Contact.
2. How can I volunteer at the PFA Mysore?
   Volunteers have to be 18 in order to volunteer at the shelter. With the parent’s permission 16 year olds can also volunteer. All volunteers will have to take the Anti-Rabies vaccines.
   Foreign volunteers and veterinary school students are requested to write at pfamysore@gmail.com or mysorepfa2016@gmail.com.
3. Does PFA Mysore help sterilise street animals?
   PFA Mysuru in association with its sister organisation ROTA has been involved in spaying and neutering of street dogs throughout Mysuru – Spay and Neuter.
4. Do you have cats/kittens/dogs/pups I can adopt?
   Yes, PFA Mysore has cats/kittens/dogs/pups for adoption. Please visit the shelter to take a look at some of the adorable animals who are looking for a good forever home. You can also take a look at our Online Adoption Center for some of the cute animals looking for good forever homes.
5. How can I help PFA Mysore?
   You can help us financially by making a donation. You can also help us by donating supplies. A list of supplies is available at Amazon .
6. What laws and regulations are in place to address animal cruelty?
   • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
   • Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 against catching, killing, or keeping wild animals
   • Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code
     SECTION 506: IT IS A CRIME TO THREATEN, ABUSE OR HARASS NEIGHBOURS WHO FEED ANIMALS. Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860 makes it a crime to threaten, abuse, or harass people who feed animals. Section 506. Punishment for criminal intimidation. —Whoever commits, the offence of criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both; If threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, etc.
   • The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is the official criminal code in India. It came into effect on 1 July, 2024 after being passed by the parliament in December 2023 to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 325 of the BNS makes it a punishable offence to mischievously kill or maim ANY animal. The punishment has been kept the same as under Section 429 IPC – jail term of up to 5 years or fine or both. Note – Section 428 and 429 of the IPC have been clubbed into one section that is 325 under BNS. Mischief by killing or maiming animal: Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both. From July 1st, 2024, onwards File an FIR for Animal related cases Under Section BNS 325.
7. How can we prevent future incidents of animal cruelty? What can I do if my neighbour is beating street dogs in my neighbourhood?
   • You can quote the following laws & try to counsel your neighbours. From July 1st, 2024, onwards File an FIR for Animal related cases Under Section 325.
   • The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) (IAST: Bhāratīya Nyāya Saṃhitā; lit. ‘Indian Justice Code’) is the official criminal code in India. It came into effect on 1 July, 2024 after being passed by the parliament in December 2023 to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Parliament of India.
   • Section 325 of the BNS makes it a punishable offence to mischievously kill or maim ANY animal. The punishment has been kept the same as under Section 429 IPC – jail term of up to 5 years or fine or both. Note – Section 428 and 429 of the IPC have been clubbed into one section that is 325 under BNS.
   • Section 325 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita – Mischief by killing or maiming animal: Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both.
8. Can I feed street/stray dogs in my neighbourhood? People in my neighbourhood are threatening me because I feed the dogs in my neighbourhood. What can I do?
   The Supreme Court of India has upheld the right of citizens to feed stray dogs and has issued several orders to protect the rights of feeders:
   • No coercive action – The Supreme Court has ruled that no coercive action can be taken against people who feed stray dogs. This includes intimidating or harassing feeders, or relocating or poisoning the dogs.
   • Feeding spots – The Supreme Court has directed that residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) cannot deny feeding spots or feeding without the agreement of the feeders.
   • No fines – The Supreme Court has ruled that no fines can be imposed for feeding stray dogs.
     Demarcated locations – The Supreme Court has directed that municipal authorities should demarcate locations for the public to feed stray dogs.
   • No relocation – The Supreme Court has specifically stated that relocation of dogs cannot be permitted.
   • The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has guidelines on feeding stray dogs. The AWBI is a statutory body that advises the central and state governments on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. While feeding stray dogs is a compassionate act, it’s important to respect their space and not force interaction. Some dogs may be fearful of humans, so you should leave food and water in an area where they can access it without feeling threatened.
   • There are no laws that prohibit people from feeding stray animals.
     The Supreme Court has upheld the right of citizens to feed stray dogs, and has issued several orders related to the issue.
   • ‘Not dog feeding, but harassing feeders is a crime’ – harassing street dog feeders is a crime
   • Stray Dog Menace: MCC Health Officer Clarifies – “… as per Animal Birth Control (Dogs)  Rule 2023, dogs cannot be killed or relocated.”
9. Can someone stop me from feeding stray dogs?
   No. Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code says that Criminal intimidation is described as obstructing or bothering anyone who wishes to take care of and feed communal dogs.
10. How can we support and protect animals that have been victims of cruelty?
    • You can call the PFA Mysore shelter (Contact) who will bring them to the PFA Mysore. We appreciate payments you make towards the care of the animal since we have limited budgets and resources.
    • In case the PFA Mysore shelter is not available of unable to help, you can try to take the animal to the nearest veterinarian and pay for their treatment.
11. I called the shelter to care for a dog in my neighbourhood. How do I find out about the treatment for the dog and what were the conditions it was kept in? What actions are being taken to ensure the dog’s safety and well-being?
    Unfortunately, since we are short-staffed we are unable to provide up-to-date information on the treatment for the animals in our care. Rest assured that our goal is to provide the best care for all the animals in the shelter. The animals are kept in kennels in clean and safe conditions. Shelter and Recovery Services
12. How can we raise awareness about animal cruelty and advocate for stronger protections for animals like street dogs?
    • You can personally “adopt” your neighbourhood dogs by feeding them at regular daily intervals.
    • You can write letters to editors of your newspapers (for example, Star of Mysore, Mysore Mitra) advocating for animal protections and highlighting animal cruelty.
13. Does your shelter have rescued racehorses?
    PFA Mysore has not rescued any racehorses. The Mysore Race Course ves provide information on retired or injured horses to the Animal Welfare Board of India. They adhere to the protocols set by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). In cases of mildly injured horses, they are sometimes given to riding schools, backyard riding setups, or Tongawallahs in Srirangapatna & Mysore after necessary procedures and undertaking. We (PFA Mysore) have saved neglected stray and injured horses, as well as rescued abandoned equines. Currently, our shelter houses three horses and eight donkeys that we have rescued. IFHA Online
14. Can you please take care of the dogs on my street? / Do you take street puppies for adoption?
    We apologize, but we are unable to take in street animals due to limited resources. Our shelter is primarily for sick and injured animals, and there is a risk of cross-infection. Street dogs often survive better outside. We do make exceptions for very young puppies (15 days to a month old) whose mother has died, as they have a better chance of survival with the mother dog.
15. How many times should a puppy get the anti-rabies vaccine?
    The frequency of rabies vaccinations can depend on several factors, including your dog’s age, health, and the laws in your area. Typically, dogs get their first rabies shot at around 3-4 months of age, with a booster shot a year later. After that, dogs usually need a rabies vaccine every 1-3 years.