The Animal Welfare Board of India, the first of its kind Animal welfare organization to be established by any Government in the world, was set up in 1962, in accordance with Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Acts 1960 (No.59 of 1960).

Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale

Rukmini Devi Arundale

Rukmini Devi Arundale was an Indian theosophist, dancer and choreographer of the Indian classical dance form of Bharatnatyam, and also an activist for animal rights and welfare....

 pioneered the setting up of the Board, with its Headquarters at Chennai

Chennai

Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...

, and guided the activities of the Board for nearly twenty years till her demise in 1986.

History

The Animal Welfare Board of India was set up in accordance with Section 4 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960 is federal law of India enacted to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals and to amend the laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals. As per the provisions of the law the government of India formed the Animal...

(No.59 of 1960). The Board consists of 28 Members.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960(59 of 1960) was enacted in December 1960 with the object of preventing infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering to animals.
The Govt. of India, Ministry of Food and Agriculture constituted the Animal Welfare Board of India on 19 March 1962. The subject of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was transferred from Ministry of Food and Agriculture to the Ministry of Environment and Forests with effect from 28 March 1990.