Abbas-Ali Motalebi, head of the Veterinary Licensing Organization, said: «In the past decade, keeping pets has become common and widespread in many families. After that, services were provided to them in places referred to as pet shops, which, from the perspective of the Veterinary Licensing Organization, is illegal.»

Motalebi said: «At present, the unions of florists and hairdressers, and in some cases the guild chambers, grant permits to pet shops, while these permits should be under the supervision of the Veterinary Licensing Organization of the country.»

The head of the Veterinary Licensing Organization added: «Pet shops are not allowed to sell food, medicine, and supplements related to pets, and this must be done by pharmacies under the supervision of veterinary hospitals or by stores that have permits from the Veterinary Licensing Organization.»