In a bid to ensure the welfare of animals and stop cruelty against them, Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Mr Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Thursday ordered that all pet shops and dog breeders should be registered with the Punjab State Animal Welfare Board. A notification in this regard will be issued, he said.
Chairing a meeting of the Managing Committee of the State Animal Welfare Board here at Punjab Bhawan, Mr. Gurmeet Singh Khudian directed the department officials to start the registration process at the earliest.
Urging people to stop cruelty towards stray animals, he also asked the department officials to hold seminars, lectures and social media campaign to sensitise people on human-animal harmonious living and be compassionate towards animals.
Underlining the steps being taken for the welfare of the stray animals, Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Mr Vikas Pratap apprised the Cabinet Minister that Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs) have been constituted in all the districts and these societies are actively working for the welfare of animals.
Apart from this, there are around 471 registered gaushalas in the state, while, 20 cattle ponds have also been constructed by the state government for rehabilitations of the stray animals.Prominent amongst others present in the meeting included Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Rampal Mittal, Joint Secretary Mr. Rakesh kumar, IFS Mr. T. Gnana, Joint Director Dr Sangeeta Toor, Joint Director Dr G S Bedi, AWBI Dr S.Bharat Kumar, Advocate Simranjit kaur, Sukhwant Singh Gill, Nandini kakkar and Dr Puneet Malhotra.