70 pet shops get 4 weeks deadline to abide by animal welfare laws
The civic officials have found out that there are nearly 70 pet shops operating within the GHMC limits and almost all of them are running without obtaining a certificate of registration and a valid trade license from the GHMC as mandated by law.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 5 Jun 2021 10:28 AM GMT
Hyderabad: The civic officials have found out that there are nearly 70 pet shops operating within the GHMC limits and almost all of them are running without obtaining a certificate of registration and a valid trade license from the GHMC as mandated by law. All these shops are operating by flouting the animal welfare laws, rules and guidelines.
The pet shop owners have been given four weeks to get themselves registered as per law, failing which necessary action shall be taken in accordance with law and all such shops shall be closed down. Similar action will be initiated against dog breeders as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017 issued by the Government of India.
Arvind Kumar, Parliamentary secretary municipal administration and urban development has instructed the commissioner, GHMC and director, veterinary and animal husbandry to issue notices to all pet shops operating within the GHMC limits for making an application in Form I for registration by the Telangana State Animal Welfare Board and obtain trade licenses from the GHMC.
Officials said that the objective behind mandatory registration with the state Animal Welfare Board is to ensure that the business of pet shops is run in a manner that is not cruel and/or detrimental to the health and safety of animals.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India had made the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018. These rules require pet shop owners to ensure general care of animals, veterinary care and other operational requirements for running these shops. As per the said rules, no person shall carry on or continue the business of sale or trade-in pet animals, whether retail or wholesale or establish or operate a pet shop by whatever name called, without obtaining a certificate of registration in Form II from the state Animal Welfare Board.
The pet shop owners are required to submit the application in Form I and obtain the certificate of registration in Form II of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018. These forms are available at the Telangana State Welfare Board office which is located at the office of the director, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, Shanthi Nagar, Masab Tank, Hyderabad.
