Press Release

Press Release

On Sunday afternoon 11th October 2020 a protest was held at Tollinton market Lahore by JFK Animal rescue and shelter against the cruel and inhumane treatment of animals at the market. Famous for its practices of animal buying and selling, the issue at the Tollinton was brought to light amid the COVID-19 crisis where due to lack of procedures and policies present Tollinton Market was shutdown. Animals were stuck in their respective cages without food and care. Upon hearing helpless cries of the animals, residents within the local community reported and complained to the authorities.

The authorities then directed the market owners to operate the shops in a limited capacity just to feed and look after the animals. The owners/vendors did not comply instead; the owners threw these animals in a gutter behind the market. It was then that many animal activists and organizations rescued these animals from the market including JFK animal rescue and shelter representatives. The vendors denied their duty to the animals.

The biggest issue at Tollinton Market according to JFK animal rescue and shelter representatives lies within the fact that the vendors/market owners do not provide these animals’ food and water. The animals have no access to clean hygienic living and are being denied their right to proper care. These animals are in dire need of urgent medical attention. The JFK shelter has bought over forty of these animals in an attempt to rescue them. Several such animals’ still remain at the market, in need of urgent surgeries and medical care. The sellers at the market are selling puppies in need of mother feed in an inhumane and torturous manner by shoving them in small enclosed bags as though the puppies are toys rather than living beings. The animals are made to sit in their own and each other’s filth in cages a mere 2×2 in size which renders them incapable of a normal healthy life. JFK rescue and shelter took vets to get statements regarding the condition of the market; vets have confirmed the conditions in the market are far too vicious and inhumane for animals to be kept in. Vets from across the border along with local vets have confirmed that these animals carry several diseases; the rescued animals not only will undergo surgeries but also show symptoms of several diseases such as kennel cough, maggots etc. This becomes a cause of concern not only to the animals sharing living spaces but every community area that they are sold to and kept as pets. Moreover right behind the animal market is a meat market providing meats to al big restaurants and food chains within the city, thus being a cause of concern for the entire populace of Lahore.

JFK rescue and shelter therefore is ready to provide help, shelter and medical aid to these animals. What is asked in return is the immediate closure of Tolinton market until it is re-established according to standards approved by the government under the The Punjab Animal Health Act 2019 and JFK rescue and shelter along with their vets.

Zufishan Durrani
CEO ,JFK Animal Rescue and Shelter