A vibrant carnival dedicated to pets transformed a playground in Kolkata's Garden Reach area into a hub of joyous activity this Sunday. The event, organized by a group of 40 dedicated students, saw four-legged 'athletes' racing, jumping, hunting for treats, and even strutting on a beauty ramp, all in the spirit of promoting coexistence and compassion between humans and animals.
Furry Athletes Take Center Stage
Pet parents enthusiastically cheered as their furry companions participated in various sporting activities. Koyel Das's 3-year-old golden retriever was visibly excited during the fashion show ramp walk. Das remarked that the Sunday outing was a special winter event for her dog, who enjoyed the diverse activities reminiscent of school sports meets for children.
Soumi Chakraborty brought her 5-year-old male husky to experience such an event for the first time. She expressed her delight at seeing both pedigree and indie dogs and cats showcasing a true sportsman spirit together. While dogs were the majority, some cats also participated in the lineup of events, which included long jump, ramp walk, catch the ball, treat hunt, race, and zig-zag walk.
Beyond Play: Health Checks and New Beginnings
The carnival offered more than just games. It integrated health check-up camps, an awareness session on animal cruelty, and a successful adoption drive. In a heartwarming outcome, five indie puppies found new loving homes on the same day. The organizing students are members of the Aguntuk Foundation, a youth-led animal welfare association in Kolkata, and received support from the Hope India Charitable Trust and Pawz Planet vet clinic.
A significant highlight was the unveiling of a new mobile application named 'Glopaw' by Ritobroto Mukherjee, president of Hope India Charitable Trust. This platform aims to connect animal lovers, pet owners, veterinarians, and rescuers on a single network to effectively combat animal cruelty.
A Growing Initiative for Change
Sayan Adhikari, a first-year BCom student at Alipore College, explained the motivation behind the carnival. He noted that while people often attend picnics and festivals, their pets can feel bored and left out. The carnival, now in its second year, was created to provide a shared space for enjoyment.
The initiative's roots go back three years, starting with feeding strays using pocket money, as shared by Subhajit Das, a second-year management student. Last year's smaller carnival with 100 participants has now grown into a larger event with more activities and an integrated awareness camp, marking a positive step forward for community-led animal welfare in the city.
