Make way for these beautiful and furry WAGs

Ever tried doing yoga with a puppy cuddling up mid-asana, or have you spent a Sunday at a carnival where the stars of the show had wagging tails and floppy ears? The rising number of pet-centric events in the city, especially those involving Indie dogs and mutts, has also contributed to growing awareness around adoption and local breeds.
Pet events are changing perceptions
While pet adoption drives have been happening for a while, the new wave of events like yoga or painting workshops with dogs are creating a lively atmosphere with games and pet-friendly stalls. “It’s amazing to see how many people turn up to spend time with the dogs. Some end up adopting them too,” says Ridhima Parrikar, founder of a city-based animal shelter. These events also help clear misconceptions about Indies and mutts. “For many, it’s their first interaction with these dogs, and it effectively shatters their misconceptions,” adds Ridhima. Pet behaviourist Bhavani Khanna adds that such events are perfect icebreakers because people realise how calm and affectionate Indies can be.



Going home with a fur buddy
For Rati Mudgal and Prianshu Rai, it all started at one of these events. “We didn’t plan to adopt a pet. We just came to check out the event,” Prianshu says, adding, “But then we met Rusty, a tiny Indie pup who wouldn’t stop following us around. By the end of the day, we knew he was coming home with us.” Stories like this are becoming more common. “Even if people don’t adopt immediately, they start thinking about it. They leave with a better understanding of Indie dogs and often return at a later time to adopt a fur buddy into their homes,” says Yuthika Nair, founder of a local NGO that works for animals.


Indies for the win!
Those who’ve adopted or rescued Indies swear by the rewards this decision had brought them. “They’re so easy-going and adapt well to our lifestyle,” shares Radhika Padle, who adopted Simba, her 8-month-old Indie, at a carnival. Experts agree that the Indies are perfect for Indian homes. “They’re naturally suited to our climate, are healthy, and require minimal grooming,” says Dr. Deesha, a Pune-based veterinarian.
Stigma around Indies persists
While there’s definitely a visible change, the stigma around Indies hasn’t been completely eradicated. Yuthika highlights that enquiries for Indie pets are much lower in comparison to foreign breeds. “Recently we had an abandoned Golden Retriever for adoption, and we got around 20-25 queries. The number of queries for Indie adoptions generally stay limited to 4-5,” she says.
Why should you adopt an Indie dog?
(As shared by Dr Shantanu Kalambi, Chief Veterinary Officer, Supertails)
CAPTION FOR LEAD PIC
The Pet Carnival by Pawasana, held last Sunday in the city, included an adoption drive for Indies, opportunities to interact with puppies, and information booths about pet care. People spent time with the dogs, and some chose to adopt as well