The Animal Welfare Board of India was set up under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (59 of 1960) on 19th March, 1962.
 

As per the Section 9, the main functions/ activities of the Board are given hereunder:

1. To keep the law in force in India for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals under constant study and to advise the Government on the amendments to be undertaken in any such law from time to time.
    
2. To advise the Central Government on the making of rules under the Act with a view to preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals generally, and more particularly when they are being transported from one place to another or when they are used as performing animals or when they are kept in captivity or confinement.
    
3. To advise the Government or any local authority or other person on improvements in the design of vehicles so as to lessen the burden on draught animals.
    
4. To take all such steps as the Board may think fit (for amelioration of suffering of animals) by encouraging or providing for the construction of sheds, water troughs and the like and by providing for veterinary assistance to animals.
    
5. To advise the Government or any local authority or other person in the design of slaughter houses or the maintenance of slaughter houses in connection with slaughter of animals so that unnecessary pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is eliminated in the preslaughter stages as far as possible, and animals are killed; wherever necessary, in as humane
   a manner as possible.
    
6. To take all such steps as the Board may think fit to ensure that unwanted animals are destroyed by local authorities, whenever it is necessary to do so, either instantaneously or after being rendered insensible to pain or suffering.
    
7. To encourage by the grant of financial assistance or otherwise, the formation or establishment of Pinjarapoles, rescue homes, animals shelters, sanctuaries and the like, where animals and birds may find a shelter when they have become old and useless or when they need protection.
    
8. To co-operate with, and co-ordinate the work of associations or bodies established for the purpose of preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals or for the protection of animals and birds.
    
9. To give financial and other assistance to Animal Welfare Organisations functioning in any local area or to encourage the formation of Animal Welfare Organisations in any local area which shall work under the general supervision and guidance of the Board.
    
10. To advise the Government on matters relating to the medical care and attention which may be provided in animal hospitals, and to give financial and other assistance to animal hospitals whenever the Board thinks it necessary to do so.
     
11. To impart education in relation to the humane treatment of animals and to encourage the formation of public opinion against the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering to animals and for the promotion of animal welfare by means of lectures, books, posters, cinematographic exhibitions and the like.
     
12. To advise the Government on any matter connected with animal welfare or the prevention of infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals.

The number of Animal Welfare Organizations (AWOs) which have been granted recognition from the AWBI is 3596. The details including the names of such cow shelters, Statewise, year-wise and grant-in-aid released during the last five years under the scheme of Regular Grant for the operation of AWOs, under the scheme for construction of Shelter home for the
animals in distress and under the scheme of Ambulance is being collected and will be laid on the table of the House.