A thriving trade with ethical concerns

Fraudulent sales raise alarm among animal activists

Listen to article

LAHORE:

The bustling Sunday pet market in Lahore attracts animal lovers in search of high-breed dogs and cats, but behind the scenes, ethical concerns loom large as young puppies are separated from their mothers and sold at tender ages.

Located near Tollinton Market, this weekly bazaar is a hotspot for pet trading, where various breeds of dogs and cats are available for prices ranging from Rs500 to Rs200,000.

Among the sellers is Shahroze, a young vendor offering his Husky for Rs40,000 to Rs50,000.

He describes the breed as having wolf-like features, adding that pedigree dogs' prices vary based on quality, age, and traits.

German Shepherds, considered the most expensive, can fetch up to Rs200,000.

Other breeds on display include Dalmatian, Saint Bernard, Pomeranian, Greyhound, Pointer, Bulldog, and Pitbull.

The market draws pet enthusiasts not only from Lahore but also from other cities. Families, eager to fulfill their children's wishes, often visit on Sundays.

Arusa Khan, a working mother, shared that she brought her children to pick out a puppy after weeks of insistence. Like her, many parents prefer this market for its affordability compared to Tollinton Market.

However, the seemingly vibrant pet trade has its pitfalls. Buyers frequently fall victim to scams, with mixed-breed or stray animals passed off as high breeds.

Niamat Bhatti, a long-time dog seller, warned that those unfamiliar with breed identification are easily deceived.

He revealed that some sellers even paint black spots on puppies to mimic expensive breeds, only for the paint to wash off at home. Shahroze corroborated this, stating that 90% of the so-called German Shepherds sold in the market are mixed breeds.

Cats are no exception, with sick or stray felines often misrepresented as pedigrees.

Beyond fraud, animal welfare remains a pressing issue.

Puppies barely a few weeks old are separated from their mothers and sold, a practice that animal rights activists decry as cruel.

Aniza Khan Umarzai, an animal rights advocate, urged for stricter regulations on pet trading, similar to wildlife laws.

She highlighted that many families impulsively buy pets for their children, only to abandon them once the novelty wears off, leaving these animals to struggle for survival.

Despite these concerns, authorities have yet to take action to regulate Lahore's Sunday pet market, leaving ethical questions unanswered in the city's growing pet trade.