Bengaluru: A collective of animal rights activists has submitted a report to Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao, documenting widespread violations by pet shops across the city.The report describes cramped cages, soiled enclosures, and inadequate space, restricting the animals’ ability to move freely. In some bird aviaries, birds cannot spread their wings, hop, or fly. Temperature control is inadequate for animals. The conditions reflect cruelty, neglect, and official apathy, and compromise the health and well-being of the animals kept for sale, especially because of a lack of isolation areas for sick and potentially infected animals.Activists found animals protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, being displayed for sale at several outlets in violation of the provisions of the Act and the Pet Shop Rules, posing conservation concerns and threatening efforts to safeguard endangered wildlife.Around 90% of the pet shops in the city do not have certificates of registration, according to Laavanya Koushik, an animal rights activist who works with the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), citing RTI reports. Most operate from pavements or makeshift structures, exposing birds and animals to heat, odour, noise, and pollution. Several lack essential facilities such as electricity, water supply, power backup, and proper ventilation.Hygiene & safety concerns Hygiene is compromised in most shops, with vessels used for food and water often covered with excreta, and reused without proper cleaning. Activists warned that the neglect could cause serious health problems in animals, including a risk of death. These makeshift outlets also do not have smoke detectors or firefighting equipment.The report highlights that several enclosures contain a mix of different species or age groups, in violation of Rule 7(2)(i) of the Pet Shop Rules, which requir all pet animals displayed or housed in the same enclosure to be of the same species and age group. Mixing causes stress and aggression among animals, increasing the risk of bullying and fighting.Animal rights activists have cautioned people against buying pets from such shops, suggesting they should instead care for community animals. “These animals are bred in captivity. If you genuinely care about animals, look around you. Care for the community animals who are already there and already need you,” said Ritwik Bhonsle of the People for Animals-Public Policy Foundation.Meanwhile, Kumar Pushkar, PCCF (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden of Karnataka, said: “It is mandatory for every dealer to get registered and declare all their stock to the forest department. In case of violation, action shall be taken to book wildlife cases against such dealers, and all the animals listed in the Wildlife Act, including exotic species, shall be seized.”
