Hands up if you’ve ever been half an hour late because you couldn’t resist stopping to play with those adorable puppies on the corner. Or perhaps you’ve smuggled a couple of illicit kittens into the office that later became beloved (if slightly grumpy) members of the family. If that sounds familiar, well sorry to break it to you friend, you’re an animal fanatic. But even with the hoards of good Samaritans out there, the stray animal epidemic is still raging.
There are thousands of dogs and cats roaming the Mumbai streets with no place to call home. World For All is trying to tackle this problem head on and this weekend they’re hosting Asia’s largest ever adoptathon to find some of their rescues a forever home. Since 2011, Mumbai based animal welfare NGO, ‘World For All Animal Care & Adoptions’ has been working towards providing a better life for India’s strays. Each year they hold adoption camps to find loving, permanent homes for homeless Indian breed puppies and kittens.
This, their 7th year is set to be the most impressive edition yet with 180-odd fully groomed, vaccinated and healthy Indian breed puppies and kittens ready for a smooth transition from a foster care to a forever home. Vets, behaviourists and adoption counselers will be available on-site to answer any questions you have so this is truly a ‘one stop adopt where not only pets but all necessary pet product provisions will be available under one roof’.
They’ve really gone all out to make this day memorable and there are dozens of fun things to do (if you can tear yourself away from the pups that is). Enjoy drinks from Raw Pressery, delicious food from Fat Man’s Cafe, customized silver jewelry, exclusive World For All merchandise, tattoos, animal themed nail art, interactive games and a lot more! If you’ve been thinking about adding a new member to the family, or if you just want a fun day out that also supports a good cause, this is definitely where you should be this weekend.
Event details:
Date: 2nd & 3rd December
Time: 11 a.m to 8 p.m
Venue: St. Theresa’s Boys High School, Bandra West
For more information check out their event page.
We spoke to some of the World For All residents, to find out a bit more about their lives and how they feel about the upcoming Adoptathon.
I. Bartok | Male, 2.5 months
Bartok was found in a garbage bin in BKC. They soon discovered that he was an albino. Though he has a weakened immune system, he’s a fighter and he doesn’t let it slow him down.
“My friends always teased me about my blue eyes, but as it turns out I’m no firangi kutta, I’m an albino, which makes me twice as special! I love cuddles but please let me come to you because I’m still not used to being picked up, once I get to know you though, you’re in for a whole lotta puppy lovin’.”
II. Calf | Female, 4 months
Calf was rescued with a fractured leg which has since healed. She mixes well with other pups and is very vocal about her love.
“All I remember of before was that I was really scared, my leg felt so strange. When the humans found me and bound it up in plaster, things really started looking up. Now I spend my time making new friends and telling everyone how much I love them, if I say it loudly enough, I’m sure my humans will understand too. Although they say I sound more like a cow than a dog, so clearly they don’t know much anyway.”
III. Miso and Tofu | Female and Male resp., both 8 months
Tofu was found in the bonnet of a car, Miso was found scared and alone, with a bad injury on her hind leg. She found solace in Tofu’s company and since then they’ve been inseparable.
“I really didn’t think people were very nice, but I was hungry so I gave them a chance. Then I met Tofu, he doesn’t talk much but that suits me just fine. He told me about how humans freed him from a car engine and saved his life, perhaps they’re not so bad. Now we’re on this journey together. Our first home wasn’t to our liking and we decided to leave, but now we want to find ourselves a caring family that’s worthy of our presence.”
IV. Tabby | Male, 2.5 months
He was saved from under the wheels of a speeding car and it took him 4 days to recover from the shock.
“So, I’m not a big fan of cars, you wouldn’t be either if you’d almost become a kitty pancake. But I’m ok, I’m stronger than I look. Us cats get a bad rap if you ask me, just ‘cos we’re not as excitable as our canine counterparts, but I like to cuddle too!”
V. Vanilla Ice and Snoop Dogg | 1.5 months
Two puppies from a litter of four that were found in Karjat, they’re everything you could want in wide-eyed, lovable pups just starting out in the world.
“OH MY GOD, WE’RE SO EXCITED TO MEET YOU! WHO ARE YOU? YOU SMELL SO GOOD! CHEWY FINGERS TOO1 WHERE ARE YOU GOING? CAN WE COME? SQUIRREL? SQUIRREL!!!”