An Environment Ministry ordinance
took effect Friday banning pet shop operators from displaying cats and dogs
after 8 p.m. to relieve the
animals of stress, following criticism
by animal rights' groups of outlets that stay open until late at night.
According to the new ministry order based on the animal welfare and management act, cats and
dogs can be shown to customers at pet shops between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
As a provisional measure
effective for two years, the ministry allows "cat cafes," where
customers can pet cats, to operate until 10 p.m. if the animals are more than
1 year old and can move freely around the premises.
The ministry also implemented an ordinance that makes it mandatory
for animal auctioneers and people
who look after old cats and dogs to register with prefectural governments.
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VOCABULARY
1.
Ordinance
- a law, usually of a city or town, that forbids or restricts an activity
2.
Relieve -
to make a problem less difficult or serious
3.
Criticism
- remarks that say what you think is bad about someone or something
4.
Welfare -
health and happiness
5.
Provisional
- likely or able to be changed in the future
6.
Premises
- the buildings and land that a shop, restaurant, company etc uses
7.
Auctioneers
- someone who is in charge of selling the things at an auction and who
calls out how much money has already been offered for something
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1.
Do you have a pet? Talk about it.
2.
What pet do you think is easy to take care of?
Why?
3.
Name common pets in your country.
4.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
having a pet.
