law: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
  9. Function of the Board. -
  The functions of the Board shall be-
  (a) to keep the law in force in India for the
  
  prevention of cruelty to animals under constant study and advise the Government
  
  on the amendments to be undertaken in any such law from time to time;
  (b) to advise the Central Government on the
  
  making of rules under this Act with a view to preventing unnecessary pain or
  
  suffering to animal 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;
  (c) 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;
  (d) to take all such steps as the Board may
  
  think fit for ameliorating the conditions of beasts of burden by encouraging,
  
  or providing for, the construction of sheds, water-troughs and the like and by
  
  providing for veterinary assistance to animals;
  (e) to advise the Government or any local
  
  authority or other person in the design of slaughter-houses or in the
  
  maintenance of slaughter-houses or in connection with slaughter of animals so
  
  that unnecessary pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is eliminated
  
  in the pre-slaughter stages as far as possible, and animals are killed,
  
  wherever necessary, in as humane a manner as possible;
  (f) 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;
  (g) to encourage, by the grant of financial
  
  assistance or otherwise, the formation of pinjrapoles, sanctuaries and the like
  
  where animals and birds may find a shelter when they have become old and
  
  useless or when they need protection;
  (h) to co-operative 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;
  (i) to give financial and other assistance to
  
  animal welfare organizations functioning in any local area or to encourage the
  
  formation of animal welfare organizations in any local area which shall work
  
  under the general supervision and guidance of the Board.
  (j) 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;
  (k) 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;
  (l) to advise the Government on any matter
  
  connected with animal welfare or the prevention of infliction of unnecessary
  
  pain or suffering on animals.