Foreign Obsession

If you are looking for a story that will tell you which breed suits your personality better or what is new in the pet trend, this might not be the right place, however, we suggest you hold on for a moment and have a read. The issue we are actually going to address is far from being cute and cuddly, but still took the face of a most widely accepted form of a trend known — the craze of expensive and foreign breeds of pets in India.

Being Indian brings a colourful spectrum of different mythologies and we remember one such Hindu lore about Yudhishthir, and how he was accompanied only by his dog to his heavenly abode. The pleasing relationship between pets and man has been going on since the golden age. From mythical references, to film stories, to emotional plots in books and novels, the example of this bond never seizes to leave us awestruck. However, the whole array is changed when these cherished breeds have fallen quite far from the grace, and who is to blame for that? Us. Our incessant craze for foreign and expensive breeds has managed to push and sideline the native races from home to streets. It is all about a status symbol now that could be boosted about price and luxurious grooming. “For people who want to show off status or class, we urge them to stick to fancy handbags and sports cars (made using vegan leather, of course). Animals are not toys”, says Radhika Suryavanshi, Campaign Coordinator, PETA India.

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When talking about the numbers, it is sad to say that many legendary Indian breeds are on the point of vanishing. Though there are many reasons for the gradual disappearance and decline in interest of local breeds, the primary cause was the arrival of exotic pets. We have seen how the bloodlines of Indian breeds were diluted by that of European. Also, the rise of modern times, the craze to acquire foreign breeds for pets has exacerbated the neglect of locals. Another reason could be the influence of Indian entertainment culture. There is no denying the fact that when we watch something on TV and cinemas we somehow want that as a part of our life. For instance, take the example of our most-loved species of pets — dogs. The popularity of these breeds is heavily shaped by the media industry. The year 2003, a Vodafone commercial aired featuring an adorable pug which fuelled the sales of the race. But when owners discovered that the animal has respiratory problems because they are bred to have that adorable flat face and short nose, they are abandoned to suffer by many. “Exotic breeds have been in the country for quite a few decades but it was always problematic for various reasons. There was likely to be a great deal of inbreeding which creates lowered immunity, various breed-specific diseases and handicaps as well as problems of temperament. Many of these breeds require very responsible standards of pet ownership and skilled management and Indian owners are not known for this. With the result shelters like ours receive abandoned pedigrees in large numbers either due to aggressive behaviour, chronic ill health and prolonged neglect or simply malnutrition old and rickety”, says Geeta Seshamani, Vice President of Friendicoes SECA. But this is not the only cause, as after the 1996 Disney movie, 101 Dalmatians, everyone wanted a black and white spotted dog. But the reality hit different from films, and soon Dalmatians were dotting our country’s streets.

Some data represents that India’s pet shop industry is growing by 20 per cent every year on average. “80 per cent of all foreign breeds in India is weak, full of potential disease. When you buy a dog, there are 50 per cent chances it will already have parvo or distemper or will be unsocialised because it has been taken far too soon from its mother. The selling and buying are in black. It is illegal for any breeder or pet shop to sell animals without a license but 99% don’t have it”, says Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, People For Animals India Organisation. Yet somehow the industry is highly rechecked, by unregulated breeders. And while there are many laws and rules by the Government that bans the illegal breeding and import-export of different species, concerns about this illicit matter and sales are looming large.

Somewhere in the race of trends, we managed to forget the real meanings of the term expensive and exotic. The reality is not what we want to construed but actually comprises cruel stories of suffering, unsanitary, capturing and death. On the point of showing off, we are actually forgetting that how these foreign breeds are not suitable for our sub-continent. Panting pets, always looking drained are unfortunately a common sight during summer. As people are turning more status-conscious, one can easily spot breeds of canines that were hitherto alien to us in city homes. “It’s not just the Indian climate that affects breeds that originate from different regions and climates. Climate is just one of the challenges. And frankly, most dogs get acclimated to the climate if introduced gradually. It’s the lack of breeding knowledge and mental stimulation that are bigger areas of concerns”, says Anand Vishwanath, CEO and Founder of Anvis Pet Relocation & Anvis Inc, member of IPATA. Another issue with the foreign breeds is that we are unable to provide them with the kind of nutrition they require.

It is time for us to draw a line. A pet is a commitment for life and no money or power can beat the nature of responsibility that it is. “Dogs, cats and or any other animals for that matter are sensitive beings with thoughts and feelings. They are not ours to buy and sell like rice or teacups”, says Radhika Suryavanshi. Furthermore, Geeta Seshamani says,” These breeds are not a fashion statement nor meant to be a status symbol to be acquired and tied to a person’s gates for the guard to take for a walk once a day. It’s completely the antithesis of why a person should acquire a pet be it pedigreed or desi. It’s meant to be a companion and a family member. Treat it like one.”

So, now the question is how much do you understand? And how on earth did we get tangled in this atrocity in the name of a trend? When you decide to bring home a pet, you ultimately become a parent. They cannot speak for themselves, they are not capable of defending themselves, but your one act of love is all it takes for them to mark their life to you. So in case you are planning to bring home a pet then instead of the word ‘attractive’ look for ‘lifetime’.

From the January 2020 issue of FHM India.