DogExpress
Pet fed, India’s biggest pet festival was organized in NSIC grounds Okhla, Delhi, on last Sunday. The festival was held for two days. On the first day, there were around 1000 dogs and 25 breeds welcomed. Pedigree breeds such as Huskies, Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers and Shih Tzus participated in the festival as well.
Pet Fed festival
The major attraction of the event was the stalls. There were around 80 stalls that engaged the crowd with pet accessories, clothing, beds, bath products, food etc.
The festival focused on educating people about dog healthcare and training via many stage activities. The event also organized shows like the Security Dog Show, Good Dog Citizen Program and an Obedience Display.
Dogs’ owners and other attendees actively participated in tricky pet competitions such as Pet’s Got Talent to show off how they can jump through a loop or play dead on command. The event also offered a play area with a trampoline, hike track, ball games, etc. with volunteers helping these furry guests.
Akshay Gupta, founder of Pet Fed says,
“There is every possible festival for human entertainment, but there was nothing that a pet and it’s parent could enjoy. This gap in the market inspired me design Pet Fed back in 2012. We have grown over the years. Pet festivals are big abroad and I attended these in the UK and the US, and modified those according to India. Through hit and trails over the years we have set a good model now.”
Dog adoption stalls
The festival also had NGOs and adoption centre stalls in a corner. After a verification process, those who had come to just play with others’ furry babies could even take one home with them. Attendees played the perfect pet parents, buying their dogs ‘beers’, dog pizzas and participating in competitions and cheering for them.
“This is a great way for pets to have a fun day and we could spend a day out with them.” said siblings Harshit and Surbhi who posed with their seven and two-year-old Golden Retrievers Simba and Walter at the Doggram, a frame inspired by Instgram.
Free entries to people with desi dog breeds
In order to promote adoption of local breeds, the festival also offered free entries to people with desi breed dogs. The organizers said a beagle was the most common breed. Adorable Shih Tzus and Labradors were also among the commonly seen breeds.
The organizers offered tags of ‘Good Boy’, ‘Bad Boy’ and ‘Cool Boy’ to their dogs. The festival had water cans placed all over and pet friendly volunteers to help people enjoy to fullest.
When asked about why it is only about the dogs in a pet festival,
Akshay said, “Dogs are the only outdoor loving pets. There are some cats who will attend a fashion show, but otherwise, the rest of the pets like to stay indoors. That is why the ground is dog dominant.” The play area saw attempts from people to get their dogs on the trampoline or ball pool but seemed to be struggling with it.
“The festival is very nice and we are having fun but I attended the festival last year too, the play area activities were better then.” said Nisha Barma, parent to Labrador Romeo.
Reference: The Times Of India
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in Chandigarh, India. 
