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MUMBAI: New pet shop rules setting standards for animal housing and care are now in place in India. The ministry of environment, forests and climate change has now notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) rules, 2018, in the wake of a series of representations made by animal rights groups Humane Society International/India and People for Animals, apprising the ministry of cruelty found in the pet shop industry.
The government gazette notification signed by the Union ministry’s joint secretary, Manju Pandey, has given detailed listing on various formalities required for pet shops—registrations, municipal licensing, proper upkeep of animals and also regular inspection of pet shops among others. “If implemented appropriately, the new pet shop rules could stem cruel practices rampant in the pet shop industry.
Often, there is no fire safety equipment in animal bays which could also be small and congested. The new government rules address all such animal rights concerns too,” said Alokparna Sengupta, deputy director of HSI/India. Animals transported and traded to meet demand 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 stuffed in small cages without access to adequate water or food.
Other common harmful practices include mutilation in the form of de-beaking, tail-docking, feather plucking, nail clipping and de-clawing. 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. Animals sold in pet shops are treated as commodities and there is cruelty.
The notification of these rules is half the battle won, and what we now await is thorough implementation of these rules to ensure that no pet shop owner is allowed to thrive illegally.” Mumbai-based activist and wildlife warden, Sunish Subramanian, said: “While the new rules are welcome, the state animal welfare board must strictly ensure that pet shops do not flout rules, since it concerns live animals.”