Pet dealers given until Jan 31 to renew licenses
Four baby monkeys were held in captivity for trading purposes at Empress Market untill the wildlife department rescued them after a raid. The monkeys will now head to Nathia Gali. PHOTOS: EXPRESS
The Punjab Wildlife Department has set January 31, 2022 as the deadline for dealers of commercially available animal and bird to renew their licences to sell pets.
The department has decided to launch a grand operation across the province from February 1 against those who fail to renew their licenses.
During the operation, all shops trading in birds and animals without a valid license will be sealed, their merchandise will be confiscated and cases will be registered against them. Red notices have already been issued to all the dealers in this regard. The department has established three license categories, each carrying a renewal fee of Rs12,000, Rs36,000 and Rs60,000 respectively. Dealers can only sell those animals and birds which they breed at their farms.
Poached and hunted animals cannot be sold in the market, and strict surveillance of those involved in this crime has been started.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2022.