The Centre has notified rules to regulate and monitor pet shops, and set standards for animal housing and care.
The Environment Ministry announced the notification of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, which aims to prevent cruelty against animals kept in pet shops and hold such shops accountable.
The rules define space requirement for birds, cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and mice in pet shops. It also requires pet shops to have basic amenities such as power back-up, general care, veterinary care and other operational requirement for animals. It will be made mandatory for pet shop owners to keep proper records of sale, purchase, death of animals in pet shop, sick animals etc. “If implemented appropriately, the rules could stem the cruel practices rampant in the pet shop industry,” noted animal welfare activists.
Inhumane conditions
The Environment Ministry notified the rules in the wake of a series of representations made by the Humane Society International-India (HSI-India) and the People For Animals (PFA), apprising the ministry of rampant cruelty in the pet shop industry.
“Animals transported and traded to meet the demands of the pet shop industry are kept in inhumane conditions. These animals are typically denied complete veterinary care. Puppies are separated from their mothers soon after birth. Birds, rats, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs are stuffed in small cages and are not given access to adequate water or food,” said Gauri Maulekhi, trustee at the PFA and a government liaison officer for the HSI-India.
“Other common harmful practices include mutilation in the form of de-beaking, tail-docking, feather plucking, nail clipping and declawing. An estimated 40% of animals die in captivity or during transportation. Pet shops often grossly violate the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, by blatantly selling wild animals,” she said.
Ms. Maulekhi said that the animals sold in pet shops are treated as commodities and the cruelty they are subjected to at the hands of pet shop owners is unthinkable.
“The situation in pet shops demanded regulation and we are pleased that the government and the Environment Ministry supported us in identifying the issue. The notification of these rules is half the battle won. What we now await is a thorough implementation of these rules to ensure that no pet shop owner is allowed to thrive illegally,” noted a release issued by the group.
