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Traditionally in Pakistan, pet ownership was not as common as it is in other countries. There are a few reasons for this. One reason is that the cost of vet care and food is high, so many people just don’t have the money to keep a pet. Another reason is that many people in Pakistan live in apartments and can’t have pets because of the rules about having animals in rented homes. Finally, for some people, there are cultural stigmas against owning particular pets in Pakistan.
This is changing, however, and today many households have animals, some of which are treated as family members. The country has a rich culture of pet ownership, and most people hold strong views about animals, whether they are pets or livestock. Pet ownership is also seen as a sign of wealth and status in Pakistan. While there are laws regulating pet ownership, enforcement is often lax.
Let’s take a look at some revealing statistics on pet ownership in Pakistan.
Top 10 Pakistan Pet Ownership Statistics
- Pets are not protected by Pakistan’s animal welfare laws.
- There are more than 190,200 registered dogs in Pakistan.
- There are five dog breeds native to Pakistan.
- The Kennel Club of Pakistan held 32 dog shows in 2016.
- The rate of street dog adoption in Pakistan is almost zero.
- The city of Lahore killed 27,576 dogs in a single year.
- From January 1, 2021, to February 7, 2021, the city of Lahore killed 171 stray dogs.
- There have been no city-sanctioned stray dog shootings in Islamabad since 2021.
- Up to 700 abandoned animals died in their cages at a pet market in Pakistan during the 2020 COVID shutdown.
- There is no mandatory quarantine for pets entering Pakistan.
Pakistan Pet Ownership Statistics
1. Pets are not protected by Pakistan’s animal welfare laws.
(Animal Protection Institute)
Pakistan’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1890) and Halal Authority Act (2015) recognize that animals feel pain and suffer. Both of these acts mostly pertain to livestock and farm animals. Halal Authority Act (2015) requires humane treatment of animals during slaughter, as well as prohibits animals from seeing each other being slaughtered. Still, animal welfare legislation in Pakistan is lacking.
Animal welfare laws such as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1890) are outdated and do not reflect the current scientific and cultural understandings of animal welfare. Zoos and farms have limited responsibility for the care of animals, which may lead to lower standards of animal welfare. Additionally, although abandoning animals is illegal in Pakistan, there is little guidance on how animal owners should care for their companion animals.
2. There are more than 190,200 registered dogs in Pakistan.
(Federation Cynologique Nationale)
Dogs are considered unclean and are not typically kept as pets in Pakistan. However, there are a small number of people who do keep dogs as pets, primarily in large cities. Dogs can be used for security purposes and are sometimes used by police officers although are more commonly found as street animals in Pakistan. They are bred and kept as working animals on many farms, where they may also serve as pets.
In rural areas, dogs are often used for hunting purposes. Although the practice is declining, dogs are still hunted for their fur in some parts of the country. There is also a small black market for dog meat, and dogs are occasionally used in illegal fights.
3. ​​There are five dog breeds native to Pakistan.
(Wikipedia)
Five native dog breeds are found in Pakistan, including the Bully Kutta, Gull Dong, Gull Terrier, Indian pariah dog, and Vikhan. These varieties of native dog breeds in Pakistan have been developed over time as a result of the unique environment and climate in the country. These breeds are well-adapted to the local conditions and have evolved certain physical and behavioral characteristics that make them ideally suited for life in Pakistan. These dogs are typically bred for their working abilities, as opposed to their appearance or temperament.
4. The Kennel Club of Pakistan held 32 dog shows in 2016.
(Federation Cynologique Nationale)
The Kennel Club of Pakistan held 32 dog shows in 2016—the most recent year for which stats are available. This is a significant increase from the number of dog shows that were held in 2014, which was only 23. The increase can be attributed to the growing popularity of dogs as pets in Pakistan. Dog shows are a way for breeders and owners to showcase their dogs, compete against each other, and for dog enthusiasts to come together and celebrate their love of dogs.
Dog shows also provide an opportunity for people to learn more about different breeds of dogs and how to properly care for them. In Pakistan, there is a growing demand for pedigree dogs, especially among wealthy urbanites. Breeders have responded to this demand by importing purebred dogs from other countries, however, local strays do not fare well in Pakistan.
5. The rate of street dog adoption in Pakistan is almost zero.
(TWS)
Todd’s Welfare Society (TWS), an animal rescue charity in Pakistan, reports that the number of street dogs adopted there is almost zero. Although rescue dogs are adorable and friendly, nobody is interested in adopting them because they are not purebred. TWS relocates rescues overseas once they are healed or they live their lives in the shelter. The UK charity Dog Bus helps TWS find homes for Pakistani rescue dogs overseas.
If you are considering getting a dog, please do consider adopting one of TWS’s rescue dogs. In so doing, you will be changing a street dog’s life forever. Imagine how rewarding it would be if you knew that you were the reason for your dog’s freedom from pain and suffering for the rest of their life.
6. The city of Lahore killed 27,576 dogs in a single year.
(Tribune.com.pk)
The city of Lahore undertook an aggressive dog eradication campaign in 2009, which resulted in the death of 27,576 dogs. While this may seem like a drastic measure, it was deemed necessary in order to reduce the number of dog-related accidents and injuries. Lahore reportedly exterminates tens of thousands of dogs: 34,942 in 2005 and 8,146 in 2002, with an average of 20,000 every year. This may seem like a draconian solution to the problem of rabies, but it is actually a very effective way of controlling the disease.
By removing all of the dogs from the city, the chances of an outbreak are minimized. In addition, the campaign was said to help improve public awareness and the importance of reducing the spread of rabies.
7. From January 1, 2021, to February 7, 2021, the city of Lahore killed 171 stray dogs.
(Thenews.com.pk)
Although this statistic relates to a one-month period in Lahore alone, Pakistan animal control officials have been using poison to kill stray dogs in an attempt to reduce the population for years. However, this is not a humane way to control the population and can also be dangerous to other animals and humans. The poison used is typically a strong acid or a toxin that can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.
The poison, which is typically a mixture of 1080 and strychnine, is often buried in bait stations near areas where the animals are known to congregate. Feral pigs, dogs, and cats are the most commonly targeted species, but other animals, including camels and horses, have also been killed.
8. There have been no city-sanctioned stray dog shootings in Islamabad since 2021.
(Dawn.com)
This is due to the city’s efforts to implement a strategy that employs a non-lethal method of stray dog population control. The city is working to create a system where all dogs are vaccinated and stray dogs are dealt with humanely. A decision taken by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) would see an end to the mass shootings of stray dogs by a special wing of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI).
9. Up to 700 abandoned animals died in their cages at a pet market in Pakistan during the 2020 COVID shutdown.
(France24)
In April 2020, ACF Animal Rescue found more than 700 caged kittens, dogs, and rabbits dead in pet stores within Karachi’s massive Empress Market. The market had been shuttered when the coronavirus spread through Pakistan’s largest cities. Many of Pakistan’s major cities were put under lockdown as the virus pandemic grew. The only stalls allowed to operate were those selling food and medicine.
Some pet shop owners resorted to sneaking in at night to feed their animals after being blocked from their businesses. Unfortunately, many animals had died by the time the rescue group was able to access them.
10. There is no mandatory quarantine for pets entering Pakistan.
(Pettravel.com)
There is no mandatory quarantine period for pets entering Pakistan, though there are a few recommended procedures that should be followed. The lack of a quarantine requirement is likely due to the fact that Pakistan has not had any recent outbreaks of rabies or other serious diseases that could be transmitted from animals to humans. Pets that have been vaccinated against common diseases are at a lower risk of contracting an illness while in Pakistan, and as a result, do not typically require a quarantine period.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Ownership in Pakistan
Can you have a pet dog in Pakistan?
There is no unequivocal answer to this question as it depends on a variety of factors, including the specific location within Pakistan where one resides, as well as the specific breed of dog in question. Generally speaking, however, owning a pet dog in Pakistan is likely prohibited or at least frowned upon in many areas, as the country has a strong cultural tradition of favoring dogs as working animals rather than pets.
Is there rabies in Pakistan?
Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system. It is spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal and can be fatal if not treated. Rabies is present in many parts of the world, including Pakistan. The disease is spread through contact with the saliva of an infected animal, and most commonly affects dogs, but can also be found in other mammals, including bats. There is no specific cure for rabies, and once symptoms develop, it is almost always fatal. However, early diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of survival.
Is dog ownership discouraged in Pakistan?
In general, there may be some cultural taboos against dogs in Pakistan, as dogs are often seen as dirty and dangerous animals. This may be because dogs are not traditionally kept as pets in Pakistan, and therefore people may not be as familiar with them. Additionally, many Islamic teachings forbid contact with dogs, as they are seen as impure animals. Dogs are considered to be unclean and are often associated with negative connotations, such as being filthy or aggressive.
They are not typically kept as pets and it is considered inappropriate to touch them by many people. This is likely due to the fact that dogs are often used for hunting and scavenging in Pakistan, and are not traditionally seen as domesticated animals.
Summary
In conclusion, while there are some challenges to owning a dog in Pakistan, the benefits of doing so outweigh them. Dogs can provide companionship and security, and help reduce stress. They are also great for children, as they can teach them responsibility and how to care for another living being. If you are thinking about getting a dog in Pakistan, do your research and find an animal that would be a good fit for your lifestyle and climate. Be sure to check out local animal rescue centers where there are hundreds of dogs in need of a loving forever home.
Featured Image Credit: rosemaryandpine, Shutterstock
