Stringent rules for pet shops, but yet to be enforced in Delhi

Nearly five years after the Union government notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, the provisions of which bring accountability to the trade of pets, the regulations are yet to be enforced in the Capital, animal welfare organisations and experts said.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

According to the rules, which were notified by the ministry of environment, forests and climate change on September 6, 2018, each state government must register its pet shops, and maintain a record of the animals that these shops purchase and sell. However, currently not a single pet shop in Delhi is registered with the government, official data shows.

Several pet shop owners, however, said that they have attempted to register with the government, but have not received any certificate for the same.

According to the rules, pet shops refer only to shops that house, sell or exhibit pet animals, and does not include shops simply selling pet accessories or food.

Experts said that a lack of inspections of pet shops - part of the pre-registration and post-registration process means that pets are being kept in cramped cages, with hygiene rules being flouted. It also means that endangered and/or exotic species that should not be sold are also routinely found in Delhi's pet shops.

These include alexandrine and the rose-ringed para ets, the Indian star tortoise and the Indian hare among others - all protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.