It’s that time of the year again, when puppy dog eyes and soft, warm bellies are elevated to a new level of both cute and, more importantly, accessible. If you’ve ever revelled in sloppy dog kisses or the gentle purring of a kitten asleep on your neck perhaps it’s time to consider opening your heart and home to a furry friend of your own. This weekend, head down to the adoptathon in Bandra hosted by World For All Animal Care and Adoption, where more than 150 animals are eager to find human soulmates of their own.
Homeless puppies and kittens ranging from 2-5 months are going to be gathered there; vaccinated, de-wormed and ready to put their best paw forward. WFA has had foster parents from across the city register their pet for the adoptions and will have to provide necessary certificates to legitimize the animals’ health. If you adopt an animal this weekend, WFA is also offering to spay and neuter them for a reasonable price when they are old enough. WFA specialises in animal care, rescue, spaying and neutering but they are also passionate about educating children about caring for animals. With 7,500 successful adoptions since 2009, they plan to match or even surpass that number this weekend.
Here at Homegrown we turn to mush at the sight of a furry face, so we thought we’d spread the joy and bring you the profiles of some of the little ones who are up for adoption on Saturday.
I. Taco and Pebbles
Currently being fostered in Chembur, Taco and Pebbles are polar opposites of each other. While Taco is a demure and docile puppy, Pebbles completely overpowers him with her bratty personality.
Where they’re from: Taco was found under a car and Pebbles was rescued from children that were thoughtlessly tossing her about.
Age: 3 months and 2 months
Temperament: Taco is scared of everything from a new face to an overly aggressive doorbell but he is very obedient and disciplined. He’ll try to stop you leaving for work with big, sad eyes but his goofy personality comes right back when he gets hold of his cuddly toy and a park with lush green grass.
Pebbles is assertive and always ready to play. Her fearlessness makes her a hit among humans as well as other dogs but be warned, this smart cookie knows how to open doors!
Favourite Food: Both of them love eggs and Cerelac. Taco also indulges in chicken and fish.
Health: Both are vaccinated and de-wormed. They are toilet trained too.
II. Mili and Sarita
Mili and Sarita are currently living at the WFA Vakola Cat Centre. Both of them are great pals and love playing with each other.
Where they come from: Mili was found by WFA donors abandoned with her siblings. Sarita was rescued after a bike ran over her paw.
Age: 4 months and 2 and a half months.
Temperament: Mili is still teething and like any toddler, she’s full of beans! She was in an adoption camp once before but was left behind when her brothers were adopted. She also has the most beautiful kohl-lined eyes that make her look like she’s wearing kajal. Glam doggie indeed!
Sarita is warm and friendly, all she wants are hugs! A volunteer mentions that people prefer not to adopt females which is ironic as their motherly instincts make them alert to their humans needs. After her road accident left her without a paw, Sarita can never return to the streets and just needs a safe, loving family to grow with.
Sarita has a good temper and likes sitting around people. She is playful and sweet. WFA wanted to release her but her accident has left her with an amputated paw and she is vulnerable on the road by herself.
Favourite Food: They eat Pedigree and chicken with rice.
Health: Both are vaccinated and dewormed. Sarita although has ticks which may get resolved before the adoption. They are paper trained.
III. Blossom and Bubbles
When their mother rejected them and stopped feeding them, Blossom and Bubbles came to the WFA Cat Centre in Vakola. Though they were christened, nobody knows which one is which neither responds to their names!
Where they come from: Their mother was brought in to the cat centre as she was nursing them and they were in danger.
Age: 2 months old
Temperament: Both of them love to play and usually stick together. They aren’t completely used to humans yet but they do love trying to grab your fingers. The grey kitty is bigger in size than the ginger kitty and has a strong right paw that you should watch out for; while the ginger kitty has a smaller left eye and keeps to himself.
Favourite Food: Currently eating cat food.
Health: Both are vaccinated and paper trained.
IV. Sushi and Mischief
Sushi and Mischief currently reside with a foster parent in Bandra. Mischief has been here for longer and is more comfortable around strangers. Sushi is skittish as she is a newbie.
Where they come from: Mischief was abandoned outside a vet’s clinic where he was locked up in a cage to minimise the spread of his infection. Sushi was found in a dustbin with her dead sibling and after Mischief’s rescue, she helped him recover and now they are inseparable.
Age: Mischief is 3 months old and Sushi is a few weeks younger than him.
Temperament: Mischief is more comfortable around strangers but both of them are responsive and playful. They can play with anything attached to a string and like all cats they love cartons and boxes. They are comfortable with each other and curious about new things. Mischief took a mere two hours to get used to the foster house but Sushi took a little longer to adjust.
They are loving and will curl up next to you when you sleep or when they are tired. They run away if windows and doors are open because of their curious nature. Their foster parent said that Indian breeds are stronger, can eat a variety of foods, fall sick less and are generally low maintenance, especially cats.
Favourite Food: Anything with Tuna flavor.
Health: Vaccinated and dewormed. They are litter trained. They will be spayed and neutered by WFA when they are older.
Don Pablo
Don Pablo is currently living with a foster parent in Worli and has watched every episode of Narcos.
Where we come from: He was found next to the entrance of his foster parents office. He was tiny, hungry and weak. According to the security guard he had been there for days.
Temperament: His foster parent said that Don Pablo loves to experience and explore everything. He’s always up for games and get super excited about the prospects of a tickle fight. Any scrunched up ball of paper or foil can keep him entertained for a good while. Recently he’s become quite the expert hunter of the red laser dot. A striped line on either side of his eyes makes him look like he’s wearing retro sunglasses. His eyes shimmer slightly with the light.
The foster parent said that they think he has multiple personalities as he tends to hop around like a kangaroo rather than saunter over like a normal cat. He’s still learning to control his speed so his chases sometimes end in acrobatic flips and somersaults. A sure descendant of tigers - Pablo loves to stalk heels. His only tell is the wiggle of his little bum pre pounce.
Favourite Food: Tuna Jelly.
Health: Vaccinated and toilet trained. Given his self-imposed daily workout routine, and healthy appetite he’s a far stronger cat than what he was when he was found.
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If you are lucky enough to pass the tough WFA test for adoption, you can take home a loving companion and bring him/ her out of homelessness. If you do not wish to adopt, you can still come to the adoptathon to cuddle with furry animals and even better, bring children to this event and educate them about caring for animals.
Note--The event will take place on 26th and 27th November from 11 am to 7 pm at St. Theresa’s Boy’s High School, Bandra.
“Running successfully for over 5 years, World For All Adoptathon is India’s largest adoption camp started by Mumbai-based animal welfare NGO - World For All Animal Care & Adoptions (WFA). Adoptathon is the largest platform in Asia featuring healthy vaccinated animals who are up for adoption, trainers ready to help and an expert adoption panel. At Adoptathon 2016, pet lovers can choose from 150 adorable breeds of Indian puppies and kittens to add to their families. That’s not all, guests will also be able to avail of expert advice from veterinaries, behaviorists and adoption counselors on board as well purchase products for their furry friends. After the adoption process is complete, WFA will continue to remain a source of advice and help for the new parents for any animal care assistance that may be needed,” as said by their press release.
Photos: Anaisha Patel