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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India's unregulated pet care sector breeds scams, exploits animals and people
1 2 3 Pune: The lack of regulation in the animal welfare sector in India has allowed for the emergence of a breeding ground for fraudsters that exploit both animals and volunteers. In the absence of proper oversight, there has been a disturbing proliferation of spurious animal shelters nationwide, operating as profit-making ventures while charging exorbitant monthly fees from rescuers and individuals. The trend was exemplified in 2024, when a counterfeit shelter was set up near Delhi using the name of People for Animals, a well-known group run by Maneka Gandhi. "People have been calling me from across the country, particularly those familiar with our work at PFA, to inform us about this duplicity. An investigation is underway," Gandhi stated. Puneeta Khanna, Pune unit head for PFA, explained to TOI that while people endeavour to "rescue" animals, they often lack the wherewithal for permanent adoption. "They then relinquish the animals at any available shelter without conducting due diligence. They neither inspect the facilities nor research their credentials, simply transferring the animal and payments before disengaging completely. This prevalent behaviour enables fraudulent operations to flourish," she said. Social media platforms have amplified duplicitous schemes, with fraudsters fabricating counterfeit NGO accounts and misappropriating content from legitimate organisations to conduct crowdfunding campaigns. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Swindlers manipulate digital platforms, disseminating emotive posts and reels to solicit donations — which never reach intended beneficiaries. Richa Singh Choudhuri, who runs a senior dog shelter in Delhi, revealed how fraudsters pilfered photographs and videos posted by genuine animal welfare NGOs seeking funds for medical treatments. "This recurring issue recently affected our campaign for Mozart, a dog requiring costly surgery for luxating patella. Scamsters already pocketed thousands before some people informed us about their posts, and we messaged them to shut it down and threatened them with legal action. While some perpetrators remove such posts when confronted, many persist, necessitating formal complaints," Choudhuri said. The post-pandemic surge in pet boarding services also witnessed inexperienced individuals offering boarding facilities, where pets frequently endure confinement without adequate care. Pet parent Pallavi Doshi shared her harrowing experience with a Bengaluru-based facility, where her dog went missing when she came back to pick him up after a four-day stay. "Despite promises of daily updates, they did not send us anything and stopped picking up our calls. We spent our holiday in panic. When we rushed back to pick him up, they claimed our pet ran away. We searched high and low and offered rewards, but he was nowhere to be found. Later, we were informed by others who gave bad reviews to the facility that they too faced similar issues with their breed male dogs and suspected that they were sold to breeders," said Doshi. Many establishments operate without standardised criteria for staff recruitment, occasionally employing individuals who demonstrate cruelty towards animals. Incidents have surfaced on social media, including in Feb 2025, when a Chow Chow endured brutal treatment at a Thane pet clinic, and the Oct 2024 tragedy involving a Cocker Spaniel's death at a Noida boarding facility. Vineeta Tandon, who manages Animal Rescue Trust in Pune, said too many shelters operate sans proper registration, staff or capabilities. "Many just procure shop act licences and function ignoring safety guidelines. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) stipulates that shelters shouldn't retain healthy, self-sufficient animals or keep them caged. However, profit-driven facilities disregard this," she said. "Healthy strays are unnecessarily removed from their natural habitat by emotional activists who believe institutional care is superior. They often end up confined without proper sustenance, contrary to natural street existence where they enjoy freedom and regular feeding," Tandon added. This malpractice was evident when in Oct 2024, authorities rescued over 50 animals from a fraudulent shelter in Ravet. The proprietor distributed counterfeit receipts and falsely claimed veterinary credentials. Similarly, in June last year, an illegal dog hostel was shut down in Jodhpur following PETA India's intervention, where animals had endured abusive training methods. Geetanjali Taur, founder of Saahas for Animals, advocates for an urgent need for stringent industry regulation. "Transparency is key. When you find that an NGO is not being open for visitations and about their facilities or answering all questions, it should raise a red flag. But it's time clear rules, standards, and guidelines are set and strictly implemented across all animal-related businesses and charitable establishments. Volunteers must exercise prudence rather than making emotionally driven impulsive decisions that compromise animal welfare." According to Meet Ashar, an animal rights advocate and cruelty case division legal advisor at PETA India, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in its current form does not strengthen legal protection for animals. "While BNS removes different punishments based on the value of the animal and prescribes a uniform punishment for killing or maiming, irrespective of species, it has done more damage by totally removing the provision that penalised sexual abuse of animals," he pointed out. Pune: The lack of regulation in the animal welfare sector in India has allowed for the emergence of a breeding ground for fraudsters that exploit both animals and volunteers. In the absence of proper oversight, there has been a disturbing proliferation of spurious animal shelters nationwide, operating as profit-making ventures while charging exorbitant monthly fees from rescuers and individuals. The trend was exemplified in 2024, when a counterfeit shelter was set up near Delhi using the name of People for Animals, a well-known group run by Maneka Gandhi. "People have been calling me from across the country, particularly those familiar with our work at PFA, to inform us about this duplicity. An investigation is underway," Gandhi stated. Puneeta Khanna, Pune unit head for PFA, explained to TOI that while people endeavour to "rescue" animals, they often lack the wherewithal for permanent adoption. "They then relinquish the animals at any available shelter without conducting due diligence. They neither inspect the facilities nor research their credentials, simply transferring the animal and payments before disengaging completely. This prevalent behaviour enables fraudulent operations to flourish," she said. Social media platforms have amplified duplicitous schemes, with fraudsters fabricating counterfeit NGO accounts and misappropriating content from legitimate organisations to conduct crowdfunding campaigns. Swindlers manipulate digital platforms, disseminating emotive posts and reels to solicit donations — which never reach intended beneficiaries. Richa Singh Choudhuri, who runs a senior dog shelter in Delhi, revealed how fraudsters pilfered photographs and videos posted by genuine animal welfare NGOs seeking funds for medical treatments. "This recurring issue recently affected our campaign for Mozart, a dog requiring costly surgery for luxating patella. Scamsters already pocketed thousands before some people informed us about their posts, and we messaged them to shut it down and threatened them with legal action. While some perpetrators remove such posts when confronted, many persist, necessitating formal complaints," Choudhuri said. The post-pandemic surge in pet boarding services also witnessed inexperienced individuals offering boarding facilities, where pets frequently endure confinement without adequate care. Pet parent Pallavi Doshi shared her harrowing experience with a Bengaluru-based facility, where her dog went missing when she came back to pick him up after a four-day stay. "Despite promises of daily updates, they did not send us anything and stopped picking up our calls. We spent our holiday in panic. When we rushed back to pick him up, they claimed our pet ran away. We searched high and low and offered rewards, but he was nowhere to be found. Later, we were informed by others who gave bad reviews to the facility that they too faced similar issues with their breed male dogs and suspected that they were sold to breeders," said Doshi. Many establishments operate without standardised criteria for staff recruitment, occasionally employing individuals who demonstrate cruelty towards animals. Incidents have surfaced on social media, including in Feb 2025, when a Chow Chow endured brutal treatment at a Thane pet clinic, and the Oct 2024 tragedy involving a Cocker Spaniel's death at a Noida boarding facility. Vineeta Tandon, who manages Animal Rescue Trust in Pune, said too many shelters operate sans proper registration, staff or capabilities. "Many just procure shop act licences and function ignoring safety guidelines. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) stipulates that shelters shouldn't retain healthy, self-sufficient animals or keep them caged. However, profit-driven facilities disregard this," she said. "Healthy strays are unnecessarily removed from their natural habitat by emotional activists who believe institutional care is superior. They often end up confined without proper sustenance, contrary to natural street existence where they enjoy freedom and regular feeding," Tandon added. This malpractice was evident when in Oct 2024, authorities rescued over 50 animals from a fraudulent shelter in Ravet. The proprietor distributed counterfeit receipts and falsely claimed veterinary credentials. Similarly, in June last year, an illegal dog hostel was shut down in Jodhpur following PETA India's intervention, where animals had endured abusive training methods. Geetanjali Taur, founder of Saahas for Animals, advocates for an urgent need for stringent industry regulation. "Transparency is key. When you find that an NGO is not being open for visitations and about their facilities or answering all questions, it should raise a red flag. But it's time clear rules, standards, and guidelines are set and strictly implemented across all animal-related businesses and charitable establishments. Volunteers must exercise prudence rather than making emotionally driven impulsive decisions that compromise animal welfare." According to Meet Ashar, an animal rights advocate and cruelty case division legal advisor at PETA India, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in its current form does not strengthen legal protection for animals. "While BNS removes different punishments based on the value of the animal and prescribes a uniform punishment for killing or maiming, irrespective of species, it has done more damage by totally removing the provision that penalised sexual abuse of animals," he pointed out.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pet abandonment crisis in India worsens in monsoon, rescuers highlight need for responsible adoption and care
1 2 Pune: Animal welfare groups in the city have highlighted a sharp rise in pet abandonment cases as the monsoon sets in. Activists explained that damp conditions lead to a higher risk of illnesses — like tick fever, skin and gastrointestinal infections — making it more difficult and expensive for people to care for their pets. Faced with rising costs and limited resources, some make the inexcusable choice to abandon the animal. Earlier this year, a video of a German Shepherd abandoned in a Delhi market, waiting for eight hours for her family, was widely shared online. Her story, heartbreaking but not rare, spotlighted a growing crisis. Since the 2020 Covid lockdown, which saw an impulsive surge in pet adoptions, India has faced a steady uptick in abandonment cases. Excuses cited for the heartless choice include housing disputes, financial strain, or lack of pet-friendly infrastructure around. Many simply underestimate the long-term nature of this responsibility. Cute puppies grow into strong, demanding dogs, some with behavioural or health challenges. When owners can't or won't invest in training or care, pets are dumped at overflowing shelters. Puneeta Khanna, Pune district unit head for People for Animals (PFA), said the problem is exacerbated by unregulated breeders. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Dodge Ram 1500 Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) MorninJoy Undo "Illegal breeders are in it for a quick buck. No genetic testing is done. As dogs grow up, they develop health problems like cancer, diabetes, organ failure, etc. Treatment and care are costly and difficult. Abandonment is chosen." Khanna further blames vaccine reluctance. "There's a DHPPiL 9-in-1 vaccine that costs around Rs700–1,000. People purchase expensive foreign breeds and splurge on fancy accessories and other stuff to show off on social media but won't spend on basic healthcare. These dogs end up in shelters, often for life, because no one wants to adopt an ill pet," she said. The emotional toll on abandoned animals is significant. Last year, a pitbull abandoned on Mahim Beach in Mumbai went on a biting spree, likely triggered by stress and confusion. "Abandonment wreaks havoc on a dog's psyche. They go through cycles of anxiety, wariness, and eventually, cautious trust—only if they're lucky. We often have to fundraise for treatment from our own pockets," said Richa Singh Chowdhury, founder of Bowsome Senior Dog India Foundation in Ahmedabad, who rescues abandoned aging and ill pet dogs from across India, provides treatment, and then tries to find new homes for them. She pointed out that even adopted rescue dogs are sometimes "returned". "Even after being told what care is required, people bring them back after months or even years." Dog trainer and counsellor Shalaka Mundada, who began advising pet parents in 2010 after three dogs were dumped at her hostel, stresses the need for informed decisions. "You're signing up for a 12 to 15-year commitment. Breed, lifestyle, job schedules, personality, all of it matters when choosing a pet," she emphasised. Despite laws under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) that label abandonment as cruelty, enforcement is weak. Meet Ashar, cruelty response legal advisor at PETA India, said that the law focuses more on safeguarding people than punishing animal cruelty. "For instance, an abandoned dog in its disoriented and stressed state could attack people or knock someone down by running into them. Pets raised in households cannot survive on the streets, so when abandoned if the dog meets with an accident and loses a limb, only then does it tend to attract BNS section 325. " Solutions exist but require systemic change, said volunteers. Until then, shelters and rescuers continue to shoulder the burden—emotionally, logistically, and financially.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi govt to draft policy on community dogs: CM
A day after the Delhi high court directed the city government to formulate a policy for the rehabilitation of community dogs, chief minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday said that the government is working on the same and will involve all stakeholders to find a long-term solution. 'This is a problem for everyone — the public and the voiceless animals too. We are looking to create a platform which will cater to residents as well as those working for animals,' Gupta said while responding to a resident in her constituency during a public event. 'There are laws — dogs can't be kept in shelters and they cannot be removed from their streets. We are searching for a long-term solution, one that causes neither residents nor animals any distress. It is a policy matter...,' she said. On Tuesday, a bench of justice Mini Pushkarna, concerned over increasing instances of dog bites in the Capital, directed the city government to formulate a policy for the 'rehabilitation of community dogs at an institutional level' so that they can be gradually removed from the streets. 'A policy decision must be taken by stakeholders to ensure community dogs are rehabilitated and phased out from public roads and streets,' the court had said. The direction, however, experts said could be in contradiction to the law. Presently, agencies follow the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which prohibit relocation of community dogs, except for sterilisation and vaccination. A dog cannot be removed from any area in the city, barring for sterilisation purposes, the rules state. Once treated, dogs must be returned to their original locality. A detailed register needs to be maintained for each dog, and it needs to be released at the same place or locality from where it was captured. Animal rights activists say that forming a wider policy may not only be 'legally untenable but also impractical.' Instead, they called for the need to address larger issues in Delhi's infrastructure and the ABC programme. 'This is a mature stand by the Delhi chief minister. While judicial or executive officers may seek short-term, quick fixes, no government in Delhi till date has worked on strategies to resolve the problem scientifically in the long run — beginning with proper implementation of ABC rules, designating feeding points, more funds and proper awareness drives,' said Gauri Maulekhi, an activist and trustee at the People for Animals (PFA). Sonya Ghosh, another animal activist, who has filed several pleas in the HC on community dogs, said the government needs to first focus on improving the existing veterinary hospitals. 'There are already 77 veterinary hospitals under the animal husbandry department, but none of these hospitals is being utilised for the ABC programme. Until sterilisation is done effectively, we cannot find a solution,' Ghosh said, who has also worked with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to designate feeding spots in the city. 'This is also another challenge — residents resist the need to set up feeding points which leads to conflicts.' Resident Welfare Associations too called for a balanced approach. Atul Goyal, who heads URJA United RWAs Joint Action — a collective body of RWAs, said identifying designated feeding spots in each neighbourhood would be a good start. 'The issue of community dogs has become very divisive, with people on both sides. The problem has arisen because of lack of implementation of norms for sterilisation and feeding points. In case of an extremely aggressive dog, some kind of shelter home may be developed but this cannot be done for all dogs. We don't want a society either where there are no dogs,' he said. Other RWAs meanwhile advocated for mass sterilisation and vaccination. 'This should be the top priority,' said BS Vohra, who heads East Delhi RWA joint front. 'If a significant population is sterilised now, the impact will become visible 2-3 years. In many places in East Delhi, it has become impossible to step out alone during night due to packs of dogs, but relocation is not a solution,' he said. Ashok Bhasin, who heads the North Delhi RWA, also said that the population of community dogs has increased significantly in north Delhi due to the alleged failure of the sterilisation drives by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. 'MCD also picks up dogs from one site and drops them at some other locations 1-2km away. There should be a priority to vaccinate and neuter the dogs,' he said. Sunayana Sibal, an animal activist, who has worked on the implementation of pet shop rules and ABC rules, said that ABC centres in Delhi are crumbling and require attention. 'Unless the ABC program is implemented in its true earnest, this issue is bound to fester and flare up in a cyclical manner,' she said.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC seeks govt plan to remove community dogs
Concerned over increasing instances of dog bites in the Capital, the Delhi high court has directed the city government to formulate a policy for the 'rehabilitation of community dogs at an institutional level' so that they can be gradually removed from the streets. The court's direction, issued through an order dated May 21 and made public on Monday, came during a hearing on a plea by Pratima Devi, an octogenarian who challenged the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) demolition of a makeshift shelter in Saket where she cared for over 200 dogs. 'This court notes that various instances of dog bites by stray dogs have come forth, reported regularly in newspapers, along with several petitions wherein such incidents have been brought to the court's notice,' said a bench of justice Mini Pushkarna. 'A policy decision must be taken by the stakeholders to ensure stray dogs are rehabilitated and phased out from public roads and streets.' Experts said the order could be in contradiction to the law. Agencies follow the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which prohibit relocation of community dogs except temporarily for sterilisation and vaccination. Once treated, dogs must be returned to their original locality and a detailed register needs to be maintained for each dog. Forming a wider policy as suggested by the court may not only be 'legally untenable', but also 'impractical', experts said. 'It's neither feasible nor humane to confine such a vast population of dogs. This will only cause suffering and undermine decades of community-based dog population management,' said Gauri Maulekhi, trustee of People for Animals (PFA). 'It does nothing to address the root causes of the human-dog conflict.' In Delhi, the root cause for human-dog conflicts are the lack of designated feeding spots in the city, poor monitoring of the ABC programme, and lack of public awareness around treatment of community dogs. 'If the dog is relocated for sterilisation and not released at the correct spot, it adds to the conflict. Similarly, until feeding points are designated, there will be neighbourhood-level conflicts on where to feed them,' Maulekhi said. The HC order referred the matter to Delhi chief secretary, stating, 'Considering the sensitivity of the case and the magnitude of the problem… the matter is referred to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi.' Devi's petition argued that the MCD razed her shelter without prior notice. In response, the court had granted interim protection in January 2023, allowing her to cover the shelter with tarpaulin as a temporary measure. On March 25, the court ordered Delhi government officials, the AWBI and the petitioner to hold a joint meeting to resolve the issue, warning that leaving 200 dogs in the open 'may create a very serious situation.' During the May 21 hearing, officials said the dogs would be released back to the streets after sterilisation and vaccination. The court, however, rejected this approach due to the sheer number of animals. The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on August 6. Animal rights organisations argue that the focus should be on effective implementation of the ABC Rules, rather than removing dogs from the streets. 'It is simply not feasible. The cost for land, housing them, feeding them – it will all be rather steep. On top of it, they will have to be sterilised. Why can't agencies simply focus on effective implementation of ABC rules?' said Ambika Shukla, director of the Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre and a PFA trustee. 'The Centre should support states with funds and manpower for sterilisation, rather than propose mass removals.' Sonya Ghosh, another Delhi-based animal activist who has filed multiple pleas on community dog welfare, said the court's latest order contradicts both the ABC Rules and Supreme Court judgments. 'There is no reasoning behind such an order. It contradicts the SC's directions that ABC Rules need to be followed when it comes to community dogs. The HC in 2021 had also clearly stated that stray dogs have the right to food and citizens have the right to feed them. The new directive contradicts this,' she said.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
World Turtle Day: Wake-up Call from Delhi's wetlands
New Delhi: World Turtle Day on Friday serves as a reminder of the capital's conservation practices and the challenges faced by these creatures in a city where their natural habitats, such as wetlands, are degrading, rivers are polluted and urban expansion is rapid. Illegal wildlife trafficking threatens this reptilian species, with many takers in the exotic pet trade. Last year in July, a joint operation by Delhi Police and People for Animals (PFA) seized 100 rare and live turtles from the bag of a man on a scooter. These included Indian roofed turtles, black-spotted pond turtles, Indian-eyed turtles and Indian softshell turtles. "Most turtle species are endangered now because cities have lost wetlands and rivers. Several species are sharply declining, some even wiped out by pollution, urbanisation and poaching," said Sipu Kumar, researcher at the Wildlife Institute of India. Some efforts have been undertaken to create rare city spaces to provide the shelled species a safe abode and the good news is that they are even hatching. The rehabilitated wetlands in DDA's Yamuna Biodiversity Park, for example, have emerged as breeding sites for turtles, including the softshell species, with one documented sighting of a black pond turtle. "Last year, during the monsoon, I recorded a couple of softshell turtle hatchlings on the nature trail at Kamla Nehru Ridge," said Faiyaz Khudsar, wildlife biologist and scientist in charge, Yamuna Biodiversity Park. "An Indian roof turtle was also recorded at the Kamla Nehru Ridge. There are reports of sightings of softshell turtles at Aravalli Biodiversity Park too." He said the Indian roofed turtle is considered vulnerable and the black pond turtle is listed as endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red Data. A shy species, turtles in India are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the highest level of protection provided to any species. Turtles are mostly aquatic and come on land for nesting or basking in the sun. The similar looking tortoises are land animals and do not swim. Terrapins are turtles that live on both land and water. Wildlife biologist Sumit Dookia claimed spotting free-ranging turtles in Delhi twice in a decade. "We saw a hatchling crossing a road near Kanganhedi village along the Najafgarh drain in 2016. We don't see them much because Delhi now has very small waterbodies," said Dookia. Dookia said that the Sector 20 pond in Dwarka once had turtles. The waterbody is at the site where Bharat Vandana Park is being built. The site used to be home to several endangered species of flora and fauna, including the vulnerable Indian flapshell turtle. Environmentalist Diwan Singh said that the 4-acre park had some turtles. "We revived the pond with DDA's help and last saw a turtle in 2019. We are no longer allowed to visit the pond, so don't know what happened to the turtle or the pond," said Singh. Meanwhile, Delhi's only transit wildlife rescue camp for turtles is doing well at Asola Wildlife Sanctuary. Success in rehabilitating the species has been reported by the sanctuary and there are 19 turtles and one tortoise there at present. The turtles hunt fish by themselves. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
