The Hidden Cruelty Behind India's Pet Trade

The pet industry often presents itself through attractive puppies, colourful birds, exotic animals and beautifully designed pet shops. For prospective buyers, purchasing an animal can appear straightforward: choose a breed, make a payment and bring home a companion.

But behind some of these transactions lies a less visible reality involving irresponsible breeding, illegal wildlife trade, poor transportation conditions and animals treated as commercial inventory.

The problem is not simply that animals are bought and sold. It is how they are bred, sourced, transported and maintained.

The breeding business behind the puppy photograph

The demand for specific dog breeds has created commercial incentives for irresponsible breeding.

In poorly managed breeding facilities, female dogs may be repeatedly bred with insufficient recovery time. Animals may be kept in cramped or unhygienic conditions, without adequate exercise, social interaction or veterinary attention.

Puppies can be separated from their mothers too early, increasing the risk of health and behavioural problems.

Responsible breeding requires proper health screening, suitable living conditions, veterinary supervision and attention to the welfare of breeding animals. These standards are not always followed.

India's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017 regulate dog breeding and marketing activities. Breeders are required to register with the relevant State Animal Welfare Board.

The problem with illegal wildlife trade

The commercial demand for unusual or exotic pets creates another serious concern.

Wild animals are sometimes captured, transported and sold through informal networks. Birds, reptiles and other species may be advertised online without clear information about their origin or legal status.

Wild animals have specialised environmental, nutritional and behavioural requirements. Removing them from their natural habitats and keeping them in unsuitable domestic conditions can cause severe suffering.

India's Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 protects specified wild species and regulates their possession and trade. Prospective buyers must never assume that an animal is legal to own simply because someone is offering it for sale.

Transportation can be traumatic

Animals moving through commercial supply chains may experience long journeys, overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, dehydration and extreme temperatures.

Young puppies and kittens are particularly vulnerable. Stress during transportation can weaken their health and expose them to infections.

Animals should never be treated like ordinary parcels. Their transportation requires appropriate containers, ventilation, water, handling and veterinary safeguards.

Impulse purchases create lifelong problems

Social media has made certain breeds fashionable. A celebrity photograph or viral video can suddenly increase demand for a particular animal.

However, popularity does not necessarily translate into suitability.

A high-energy dog may be purchased by someone unable to provide sufficient exercise. A breed with specific health requirements may be acquired without understanding the associated veterinary costs.

When the initial excitement disappears, some animals are surrendered, abandoned or passed between households.

The consequences of irresponsible purchasing are therefore not limited to the original transaction.

What can responsible buyers do?

Before acquiring an animal, prospective owners should:

• Consider adoption from a credible shelter or rescue organisation.
• Verify the breeder's registration and inspect the living conditions.
• Ask for veterinary records, vaccination details and information about the parents.
• Avoid sellers who refuse inspection or offer suspiciously low prices.
• Never purchase wildlife without verifying its legal status.
• Reject sellers who offer very young, visibly unhealthy or poorly maintained animals.

Pet shops are also regulated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, which prescribe registration and animal-care requirements.

Changing the economics of cruelty

Every purchase sends a message to the market. When buyers demand transparency, ethical breeding and proper documentation, irresponsible operators find it harder to exploit animals.

India needs stronger enforcement, better public awareness and more accessible adoption networks.

Animals are not manufactured products. Their value cannot be measured by breed popularity, colour or selling price.

A responsible pet industry must begin by recognising that the welfare of the animal matters more than the commercial value of the transaction.

References

1. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017 – Regulations governing dog breeding and marketing.
2. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018 – Registration and welfare requirements for pet shops.
3. India Code – Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 – Legal framework governing protected wildlife and wildlife trade. Search for the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Article content © S Vejay Anand. All rights reserved.