Pet Shop License & Registration

In accordance with The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, every pet shop owner in India must secure a Certificate of Registration from the Animal Welfare Board of their respective state. Failure to obtain this certificate can lead to the State Board or the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) sealing the pet shop and confiscating the animals for sale in the shop. Furthermore, both the SPCA and the State Board have the authority to appoint inspectors to evaluate the compliance of any pet shop as necessary. If a pet shop owner refuses inspection, the Board may revoke their Registration Certificate.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for obtaining a Registration Certificate are quite straightforward. Individuals applying must be legally competent to enter into contracts as per Indian laws, meaning they should have reached the age of majority, be of sound mind, and not be disqualified under any existing laws in India. Companies must be duly registered under applicable Indian laws at the time of applying for registration.

Procedure to Apply For the Registration Certificate

Step 1: Application

Pet shop owners are required to apply to the State Board for registration using FORM-I. The form should include relevant details such as the pet shop's address, ventilation and lighting arrangements, standards for food storage, details of veterinary support, and a list of pet animals likely to be sold. Any false or misleading information can lead to rejection or cancellation of the application by the Board. The application requires a non-refundable fee of Rupees Five Thousand. If multiple pet shops are owned by the same person, each must be registered separately, complete with the necessary details and fees. Additionally, an attested affidavit asserting compliance with the Pet Shop Rules must accompany the form.

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Step 2: Registration Certificate

Upon the State Board's satisfaction with the application details, a non-transferable Certificate of Registration is issued, valid for up to five years from its issuance date. This certificate specifies the types of animals the owner is permitted to sell and includes a requirement to submit an annual report to the State Board detailing animals sold, dead, bartered, boarded, traded, etc., across the year.

The State Board is further tasked with maintaining a register of Certificates of Registration, recording details like the pet shop owner's name and address, and information about pets sold and purchased.

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Step 3: Inspection

Following the issuance of the Certificate of Registration, the pet shop must undergo inspection by a veterinarian authorized by the State Government within three months. The veterinarian will provide a detailed Inspection Report to the State Board.

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Step 4: Final Scrutiny

Upon reviewing the Inspection Report, the State Board will authorize the continuation of registration if deemed appropriate. If disapproved, the State Board must notify the pet shop owner within 30 days of receiving the Inspection Report.

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Pet Shop Rules 2018

The Pet Shop Rules 2018 document is here for reference in both English and Hindi:

Download Pet Shop Rules 2018 - English

Download Pet Shop Rules 2018 - Hindi

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pet Shop License Registration.

A Certificate of Registration is a mandatory document that every Pet Shop owner must obtain from the Animal Welfare Board of the concerned state. Failure to obtain this certificate can lead to the sealing of the Pet Shop and confiscation of animals by the State Board or the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

An individual applicant should be competent to contract as per the laws in India, meaning they have attained the age of majority, are of sound mind, and not disqualified from contracting under any other law. For a company, it should be registered as per the prevailing laws at the time of application.

The Pet Shop owner must apply to the State Board using FORM-I, providing details about the shop, animal arrangements, veterinary support, and animals to be sold. They must also submit a non-refundable fee of Rs. 5,000 and an affidavit stating compliance with the Pet Shop Rules.

A Certificate of Registration is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. The Pet Shop owner must submit an annual report to the State Board detailing animals sold, dead, bartered, boarded, or traded during the year. The shop must also undergo an inspection by an authorized veterinarian within 3 months of registration.

If a Pet Shop owner denies access to an inspector or representative of the State Board, the Board has the power to cancel the Registration Certificate of the Pet Shop.

No, a Certificate of Registration issued by the State Board is non-transferable. If the same person owns multiple Pet Shops, separate applications must be filed for each shop.

If any information provided in the application form is found to be untrue or misleading, the State Board has the power to reject the application or cancel the existing Registration Certificate.

The SPCA, along with the State Board, has the power to authorize an inspector for inspection of any Pet Shop as and when required. Additionally, the SPCA can seal a Pet Shop and confiscate animals if the shop is operating without a Registration Certificate.

The State Board is required to maintain a register of Certificate of Registration, which includes the name and address of the Pet Shop owner, details of pets sold and purchased, date of registration, and other relevant information. This register helps in keeping track of registered Pet Shops and their operations.

The Pet Shop Rules 2018 are provided in both English and Hindi at the end of the article for ready reference.