New rules for pet shops lead to a drop in sales in Singapore

A law introduced in December 2013 in Singapore forcing pet shop owners to screen potential buyers seems to have led to falling sales in the country’s pet shops. Pet shop owners stress that they have seen a drop in sales of up to 15 per cent since the new rules were introduced, according to an article in Singapore’s leading newspaper The Straits Times.
The rules comprise checklists for pet shops to educate buyers and evaluate their suitability to own an animal. Both the buyer and the retailer have to sign a form. The leading pet retail chain Pet Lovers Centre has displayed signs advising customers not to buy pets on impulse.