More than a decade since the Supreme Court issued a directive for states to set up an Animal Welfare Board, states across India are still either yet to form a State Animal Welfare Board or, where formed, yet to support its functioning with staff and budget availability.
In May 2019, animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi filed applications under the Right to Information with every state government seeking details about the constitution of the boards, the budget allocated, and officers deployed for them.