Registration of pet shops made must to check zoonotic diseases

Nagpur: Post the Covid-19 lockdown, the government has made it mandatory for all pet shops and dog breeding establishments to be registered in order curb the outbreak of zoonotic diseases.
Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, recently issued a circular stating all pet shops and dog breeding establishments could reopen after the lockdown only after registering with the state animal welfare boards.
On March 24, the board had issued a letter requesting authorities to ensure safe evacuation of animals in pet shops and other commercial establishments. The board noted that the animals would die without food and water and had directed the state animal welfare boards to evacuate such animals across the country with the help of local administration and Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
During the evacuation process, the authorities found the establishments possessed various local, exotic and wild animals and birds, violating the laws. “It was also noticed that the animals were not kept in an ideal environment and were suffering from a lot of pain and cruelty,” the board stated.
Further stressing on the need to regulate pet shops, breeding establishments and mitigating spread of zoonotic diseases, the board stated it was time to strictly implement the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shops) Rules, 2018, laid down by the Centre.
Under these rules, the state animal welfare boards are the registering authorities. “It will issue certificate of registration to each pet shop. As per rules, operation of pet shops and breeding of dogs without the certificate is prohibited,” AWBI stated.
According to experts, the move is a primary step to solve various issues. “The registration will prove to be an effective way to stop illegal breeding of animals, which leads to not just cruelty but also spread of diseases. Rules allow breeding of a female dog only till she is five years old. However across India, it is violated,” said Karishma Galani, member of Nagpur SPCA.
Registering pet shops and breeders will also ensure people take home healthy animals. “Once registered, the shops will have to maintain a proper environment. Timely inspections will also take place. They should start the process now as online forms are available for registration. We are aiming to register all establishments in coming six months,” added Galani.