Bilbo, a two and a half year old caramel-coloured, Indie-breed from Thane hops about the green carpets of the Pet Fed festival, which is underway in Mumbai. With one floppy ear turned backwards, he has a constant curiosity for fellow canines. Found by Cheryl Aldis on the streets of Pune, he was barely six months old at the time. "He was abandoned when a speeding truck ran over one of his hind legs. He had surgery and still has a rod in his leg," says Aldis. Nevertheless, he is now quiet the guard dog. "While walking him late at night I do have suspicious characters approach me but Bilbo is quick to lunge at them or bark away the strangers," she says.
Similar such stories of rescued pets fills the MMRDA grounds at BKC, where the two-day Pet Fed festival is being held. Vedika Naik found her loving pooch Sandra, near a slum in Andheri. The five month old now lives an indulgent life with her pet parents. "She has her own pet kitten named Mimi," laughs 30-year-old Vedika. Another, Leo, a black and white spirited pup, was adopted by Sanmeet Sahani from the animal welfare NGO World For All, which has a stall at the festival.
Founder of Pet Fed, 26-year-old Akshay Gupta, wanted a fest especially for pet lovers. "There're a lot of purebred fanatics, which leads to abandonment or unethical treatment. We have always promoted the 'adopt don't shop' motto," says Gupta. Indian dog breeds enter for free while the others are charged a princely sum of Rs 349 (walk-in registrations). For a festival that takes nearly eight months to plan there are several international brands that set up shop at the fest like Dog'njoy from Thailand, Origin from Canada and Arden Grange from Europe.
Apart from the Huskies, Chow Chows, Dalmatians and 50-odd breed of dogs at the fest, there's a sprawling canopy enclosure that housed only two pet cats, since the cat show was saved for Day 2 (i.e. January 20). Low-lying water coolers for refilling pet bowls are everywhere to satiate thirsty dogs getting ready for the cosplay event.
Among the commotion is a 13-month-old Great Dane puppy named Bruno, who needs four attendants and a towel to wipe his drool. Thane-resident Archana Naik got the four-footer from a breeder in Punjab, when he was the size of an adult Beagle. "You need a lot of space and money for these dogs. Bruno's monthly expenditure is Rs 35,000," says Archana.
Besides wagging tails and nosey dogs on short leashes, there is a bar for dogs that serves dog beer titled Simba Bork (free of alcohol, made of cold water, bones, chicken feet, mixed veggies, carrots and onions). Two on-call vets and an ambulance are on standby throughout the day. And along with the 250 volunteers at Pet Fed, a total of 75 personnels are allotted the task to scoop the poop! "Last year we entered into the Limca book of records by getting 3,500 pets in Mumbai. We are hoping to cross that number this year," says Gupta. Though the cleaning staff are on guard and ready to go at moment's notice, you may want to watch your step.
DOGGED RUN
- The two-day ‘Pet Fed’ fest takes place at BKC’s MMRDA grounds this weekend.
- Canines from across the city get a special dog beer featuring cold water, bones, mixed veggies, etc.
- There are also two on-call vets, 250 volunteers and 75 personnel tasked with the job of scooping the poop.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Pet Dog")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}