Govt starts deliberations on regulation for pet shops

With a view to regulate mushrooming pet shops in the country, the Union Ministry of Environment has started deliberations on a proposed legislation. The ministry has also proposed a law to decentralise environment approvals for buildings and club it with local map approving authorities.

“The core of the decision is decentralisation and regulation. We want to involve state governments and local bodies in the decision making process,” said Anil Mahdav Dave, Union MoS (I/C) for the Ministry of Environment.  

“We invite suggestions from the stake holders to make the rules more effective and suitable for ease of doing business. The objective of these rules is to make pet shops accountable and to prevent cruelty inflicted on animals kept in such pet shops,” he added. The proposed rule makes it mandatory for all the pet shops to register it with the State Animal Welfare Board of the respective state governments or union territories.