All pet shops and dog breeding facilities in Delhi must register with the Delhi Animal Welfare Board within one month or face closure, as outlined in a recent public notice. This move, driven by a Delhi High Court directive aimed at enhancing accountability and enforcing legal standards, has garnered support from animal welfare advocates.

Issued on November 6, the notice requires pet shops and breeding centers in Delhi to complete their registration within the next month. Establishments failing to comply will be shut down in accordance with the Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules, 2017, and Pet Shop Rules, 2018, both established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

For convenience, the Board has provided an online registration option through the e-district portal. According to the Board, this initiative is intended to reinforce animal welfare by ensuring these businesses meet the necessary legal requirements.

Executive Committee member Asher Jesudoss of the Board commented on the notice, saying, “The Dog Breeding & Marketing Rules, 2017, and Pet Shop Rules, 2018, mandate that pet shops and dog breeding centers must be registered with the State Animal Welfare Board. Operating without registration is against the law.” Jesudoss added that site inspections revealed numerous violations, including poor safety protocols, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate animal care.

In line with the court’s directive, the Board has also published this notice in newspapers and plans to extend the outreach via radio announcements to inform more owners of the requirement to register.

Establishments that don’t register within the one-month timeframe “will face closure and sealing,” confirmed Jesudoss.

Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder of Wildlife SOS and member of Friendicoes, called the notice a “timely move,” saying it would help address cruelty and illegal animal trafficking while ensuring higher welfare standards for animals in pet shops and breeder facilities. He noted that mandatory breeder registration would improve health screenings and promote ethical pet ownership, addressing problems like genetic defects and health issues stemming from unethical breeding practices.

Animal activist Ridhima Saraswat also emphasized the urgency of enforcing registration, citing the poor conditions in many pet and dog breeding shops across the city. “Many of these businesses operate with minimal regard for basic standards, resulting in inadequate hygiene and unsafe environments for animals,” Saraswat said. “Different breeds are often kept in cramped, stressful conditions by untrained staff, which highlights the need for strict enforcement.”

The notice marks a critical step toward addressing the welfare of animals in Delhi and ensuring greater accountability for pet shops and breeders across the city.