R.1 Short title and commencement

       .—(1) These rules may be called the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Establishment and Regulation of Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Rules, 2001.
       (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
       
       ---------------------------------
        1. Vide S.O. 271(E), dated 26th March, 2001, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 26th March, 2001.
       

R.2 Definitions

       In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,—
       (a) “Act” means the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (59 of 1960);
       (b) “Animal Welfare Organisation” means a Welfare Organisation of animals which is registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 (21 of 1860) or any other corresponding law for the time being in force and recognised by the Board or the Central Government;
       (c) “Board” means the Animal Welfare Board of India established under the Act;
       (d) “local authority” means a municipal board or municipal committee, a State Animal Welfare Board, district board or any local animal welfare organization authorized by any law, for the control and administration of any matter relating to animals within a specified local area

R.3 Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in a district

       (1) Every State Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish, as soon as may be and in any event within six months from the date of commencement of these rules, a society for every district in the State to be the SPCA in that district:
       Provided that any society of prevention of cruelty to animals functioning in any district on the date of commencement of these rules shall continue to discharge its functions till establishment of the SPCA in that district under these rules.
       (2) The Managing Committee of the Society shall be appointed by the State Government or the local authority of the district, as the case may be, with the concurrence of the Board and shall consist of such number of other members as may be considered necessary by the State Government or the local authority of the district subject to the conditio

R.4 Setting up of infirmaries and animal shelters

       (1) Every State Government shall provide adequate land and other facilities to the Society for the purpose of constructing infirmaries and animal shelters.
       (2) Every infirmary and animal shelter, shall have—
       (i) a full time veterinary doctor and other staff for the effective running and maintenance of such infirmary or animal shelter; and
       (ii) an administrator who shall be appointed by the Society.
       (3) Every Society shall, thought its administrator or otherwise, supervise the overall functioning of the infirmaries and animal shelters under its control and jurisdiction.
       (4) All cattle pounds and pinjrapoles owned and run by a local authority shall be managed by such authority jointly with the Socie

R.5 Regulation of SPCAs

       (1) Every Society shall submit its annual report to the Board incorporating therein the activities undertaken by it for the welfare of animals and the steps or measures taken by it to implement various provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder along with annual accounts duly audited by a chartered accountant or any other body authorized by law within a period of one month from the date of its accounts having been finalized by its managing committee.
       (2) The Board shall examine such annual report and the annual accounts submitted by the Society and may give any directions to it for improvement of its functioning including the supersession of the managing committee of the Society with a view to give effect to the provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder:
       Provided that the Board shall give opportunity of personal hearin