Punjab: Registration of dog owners and pet shops mandatory

Punjab: The Punjab government has made it compulsory for all dog breeders and pet shops to get registered under the state’s Animal Welfare Board. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Animal Welfare Board chaired by Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Friday. Khudian said dog breeders and pet shops will be registered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Breeding and Marketing of Dogs) Rules 2016.

The main objective of the move is to prevent cruelty against animals and promote responsible breeding practices in the state. He said the board will monitor and regulate the activities of breeders and pet shops, ensuring that they adhere to standards that promote the health and welfare of animals. This includes ensuring that animals are not kept in inhumane living conditions and are provided with adequate care, and are not excessively bred. He said it will encourage ethical practices in the marketing of pet animals, including dogs and cats.