Lahore’s bustling pet market near Tollinton Market becomes a hotspot for animal lovers seeking high-breed dogs and cats. However, behind the vibrant scene, significant ethical concerns emerge, as young puppies are often separated from their mothers and sold at tender ages.
Vendors offer a wide range of breeds, with prices varying drastically from Rs500 to Rs200,000, depending on the animal’s pedigree, age, and traits. Among the sellers is Shahroze, who sells Huskies for Rs40,000 to Rs50,000, describing the breed as wolf-like and emphasizing that German Shepherds are among the most expensive, reaching up to Rs200,000.
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The market attracts families and pet enthusiasts from Lahore and beyond. Arusa Khan, a working mother, brought her children to choose a puppy, preferring the affordability of this market over Tollinton Market. Yet, the lower prices come with risks—many buyers are scammed into purchasing mixed breeds or even stray animals misrepresented as pedigrees.
Experienced vendors like Niamat Bhatti and Shahroze warn that breed identification can be deceptive, with some sellers going as far as painting spots on puppies to mimic more expensive breeds. Cats are similarly misrepresented, with stray or sick felines often sold as purebreds.
Beyond fraud, animal welfare is a growing concern. Puppies are frequently sold at just a few weeks old, separated too early from their mothers. Animal rights activist Aniza Khan Umarzai has called for stricter regulations to protect pets, comparing the need for oversight to wildlife protection laws. She also highlighted the issue of families impulsively buying pets, only to abandon them later, leaving the animals to fend for themselves.
Despite these mounting concerns, authorities have yet to regulate the pet market, leaving many questions about the welfare of the animals and the ethics of the trade unanswered.
