The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India has 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.
It has come to notice that there are nearly 70 pet shops operating within 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. As such all these shops are operating by flouting the animal welfare laws, rules and guidelines. 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 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.
Sri Arvind Kumar, IAS, Prl 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 GHMC limits for making an application in Form I for registration by the Telangana State Animal Welfare Board and thereafter obtain trade licenses from GHMC.
The pet shop owners are given 4 weeks time to get themselves registered as per law, failing which necessary action shall be taken in accordance with law and all these 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 Government of India.
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