Punjab Announces New Guidelines for Pet Trade, Registration Mandatory

Ludhiana: In a bid to regulate the trade of pet animals and uphold animal welfare, the Punjab Government has made registration mandatory for pet shops and pet breeders involved in the selling and trade of pet dogs, cats, and birds. 

Dr. Amrik Singh, Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department in Ludhiana, announced new guidelines on Saturday aimed at regulating the pet trade. Under the updated framework, all individuals involved in the buying, selling, or breeding of pets must now register with the Punjab State Animal Welfare Board. Violators could face fines of up to INR 50,000 and imprisonment of up to three months.

The move aligns with directives from the Directorate of Animal Husbandry to bring greater accountability and transparency to the sector. To streamline the process itself, field-level veterinary officers have been instructed to directly assist pet shop owners and breeders with their registrations to ensure a smoother process on the ground.

In a broader push for animal welfare, the state government has also initiated the formation of dedicated committees at both district and tehsil levels. These animal welfare committees will include a veterinary officer, representatives from the police, forest and wildlife protection departments, local governance bodies, and an NGO working in the animal welfare space.

Empowered with investigative authority, these panels will be responsible for addressing complaints of animal cruelty and enforcing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act across Punjab. Dr. Singh has urged all pet shop owners and dog breeders in Ludhiana to complete their registration at the earliest to avoid potential legal complications or delays in operations.