They are demanding that the notification be changed as it is creating hurdles in conducting business.
Mumbai: Pet animal sellers in the state are uniting against the Union government’s new norms issued in May 2017. They are demanding that the notification be changed as it is creating hurdles in conducting business. According to these sellers, the new law is impacting livelihood of nearly 10 lakh people involved in related businesses in Maharashtra.
The union government issued the notification on May 23, 2017, putting down new guidelines around pet selling and keeping pets at home. As per the notification, the provisions are aimed at preventing cruelty to animals. There are different sections in the notification for fish sellers and other pet sellers who generally sell cats, dogs etc. As per the gazette, fish tank animal shops can only sell fish and no other pet animals. Sellers are objecting to this. Vikram Rao of the Maharashtra Pet Association said, “In today’s age, it is not possible. Rentals are high and fish shops alone will not be able to sustain. We are requesting that the norms be changed as early as possible.”
The ministry of environment and forests’ notification also has directions for dog breeders. Registration of sold, traded, bartered, brokered, and given away pets is made compulsory in the notification, with licenses for shops depending on these registrations. Associations have raised objections about these stringent norms.
Ghananeel Bhirud of the association said, “If this gazette is not re-looked into, lots of people in the field will be rendered jobless and without occupation. There are almost 10 lakh people dependent on this business. The government must rethink the notification for their sake.”
