Rumpy Madaan
The pet population in India has grown from 7 million in 2006 to 10 million in 2011. On an average 600000 pets are adopted every year.
With dog ownership in India rising, Euromonitor International has projected India to be fastest growing global pet market and the rising pet ownership rates are driving demand for pet food, health products and pet accessories.
The Indian market is now 800-million-plus industry and is expected to register strong double digit retail value growth in coming years.
Pet trade in our country is like cancer cells, multiplying fast but no one knows how to control it
Everyone knew where it was and how badly animals were suffering at the hands of the breeders, than pet shop owners and finally unscrupulous pet owners. Since the pet industry was unregulated, breeders would work from shacks, basements and hell holes. The income generated by them was mostly non-taxable. It was observed that the life of an unwarned pup would not matter much than a small nuisance to be death on daily basis. But that is not the case now. The Government has now come to the resource of the animals suffering silently in the unregulated pet industry. Seeking to regulate pet shops in the country, the centre notified pet shop rules having multiple provisions to prevent cruelty inflicted on animals kept in such shops. The rules notified by the union environment ministry after analysing suggestions of stakeholders, will regulate, among other practices, the capture, housing, breeding and transportation of animals sold in pet trade. The entire sector is unregulated at present. Now the state animal welfare boards will register them after inspections. The rules also define space requirements and other basic amenities to keep the pets. It will also be mandatory to maintain records of sale, purchase, sick animals and death of animals in the pet shops.
The rules are notified under the existing Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Key features
* It is mandatory for all pet shop owners to register themselves with State Animal Welfare Board of respective states, UTs.
* Shops will be registered only after inspection by the representatives of state board.
*Defines basic amenities, power back-up, general care, veterinary care and other operational requirement for animals kept in pet shops.
* Mandatory to maintain proper records of sale, purchase, death of animals in pet shop and sick animals.
* Define space requirement for birds, cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pig, hamster, rats and mice in pet shops.
* Non- compliance will lead to cancellation of registration of pet shop and pet animals. The confiscated will be handed over to animal welfare organisations, or a rescue centre recognised by the board.
This foresighted policy of the Environment Ministry is commendable and it will save tens of thousands of animals and birds being abused everyday in pet industry all over the country.
The credit for this goes to PFA (People for Animals) and Government liaison for HSI (Humane Society International/ India.
Both these animal rights organisation played a significant role in drafting the rules. These groups have been constantly highlighting the plight of these animals at the hands of unscrupulous breeders and pet shop owners. The trauma of animals in pet trade while being transported in small cages, often without adequate water, food or any other form of relief. “De-beaking , tail docking, feather plucking, nail clipping, de- clawing and other cruel practices which are quite rampant in pet shops. Pet shops often sell unweaned pups, and house animals in deplorable conditions without veterinary attention for fatal illnesses.
Puppy mills which supply the with puppies to pet shops treat dogs like breeding machines. Mother dogs are kept in tiny cages and hutches and are bred over and over again until they can no longer produce puppies. Then they are usually auctioned off to the highest bidder or killed without ever getting to experience a kind word, a gentle touch or simple pleasure like sun on their back and grass under their feet.
The pet trade treats animals as mere commodities to mass produce and peddle for profit. Animals are routinely denied socialisation, exercise in this cruel hungry moneymaking industry. Encourages people to consider pets as a whim rather than beings who deserve love and respect.
Despite pet shop rules being in place, its the consumer or the buyer who has to say No, refuse to be a part of this black trade.
You cannot buy love, but you can certainly adopt a homeless pet to love because rescue is a best breed.
(The author is Animal rights Activist).
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