The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued the draft notification for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2016 to regulate pet shops
The objective of these proposed new rules is to make pet shops accountable and to prevent cruelty inflicted on animals kept in such pet shops.
New Rules
- Mandatory for all pet shop owners to register themselves with the State Animal Welfare Board (AWB).
- Pet shops will be registered only after inspection by the representatives of AWB, a veterinary practitioner and a representative of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
- Pet shops must ensure that animals are kept in comfortable surroundings and as per define space requirement for birds, cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pig, hamster, rats and mice in the pet shops.
- Pet shops must have basic amenities, general care, veterinary care, power back-up and other operational requirement for animals in it.
- Mandatory for pet shops to maintain proper records of sale, purchase, death of animals and sick animals etc. in the shop.
- Pet shop owner must submit yearly report to State AWB regarding animals, sold, traded, given away, boarded or exhibited during previous year or any other information asked for by the State AWB.
- Non-compliance of the proposed rules will lead to cancellation of registration of pet shop and pet animals in the shop will be confiscated shall be handed over to a rescue centre recognised by the Board or Animal Welfare Organisation.
Background
MoEFCC has the mandate to implement the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals. The provisions of the PCA Act are general in nature, and rules dealing with specific situations have to be notified by MoEFCC from time to time.