bengaluru the state animal husbandry department will need at least rs 300 crore to open new shelters for cattle the huge fund demand from a department thats considered a relatively smaller function of the government is likely to raise questionsthe introduction of a new law against cow slaughter has prompted the department to plan shelters which will house rescued or abandoned cattle the law implemented through an ordinance bans slaughter of all types of cattle except buffaloes older than 13 yearsaccording to an official in the animal husbandry department currently the government doesnt have fullfledged facilities to care for farm animals it has only temporary shelters that are opened during months of drought and summerafter the new law many farmers who can no longer look after older cows are expected to send the animals to government sheltersh basavrajendra the director for animal husbandry said that the department had set a realistic target that would be achieved over the next four to five years considering the financial constraints and current situation we intend to open 293 gau shalas he saidin the short term the department plans to seek assistance from ngos and animal welfare organisations he added there are an estimated 185 ngorun cattle shelters in the state another official said that the department was also considering framing a cow adoption policy which would encourage companies and high networth individuals to support the governments efforts