Pet lovers’ mecca

If you’re a dog lover or a pet parent, then the NSIC Exhibition Ground is the place to be between February 12 and 14. The venue’s playing host to the fourth edition of the India International Pet Trade Fair (IIPTF).

The show, that housed 80 stalls and attracted over 80,000 visitors in 2008, will this year have 150 stalls including those of manufacturers and exporters dealing in pet products, snacks, collars, coats and other pet related services. Also participating in the fair will be pet groomers, traders and breeders.

“Though we’re expecting at least 300 dogs each day, the emphasis this year is on cats as great pets,” says Linda Brady Hawke, the organizer and convener of IIPTF. She says there will be 50 cats present for different shows to be held at the fair.

The first day of the exhibition will see a dog obedience show, followed by an all breed championship the next day, wherein the participating pets will be judged on their physique, stance etc. “We do not distinguish between pure breeds and mixed breeds. All dogs are welcome. The pet parent does not have to present a certificate to enter their dog in the competition. This step has been taken to ensure that public pets — which people often call strays — are also among the participants in the championship,” says Hawke.

The last day, she says, will host separate fashion shows for cats and dogs. A pet parent to three dogs, Mansi says, “I’m going to enroll my pet bitch, who is a pure breed, in the fashion show. I have even started shopping for it.”

The last date for registering for the competitions is February 5. “I’m participating in the IIPTF for the first time because it ensures a lot of exposure. We will have a stall that will tell people about the importance of pet grooming. We’ll also give free grooming services,” says Vizal Atheya of Petspot and Dogspot. The fair will also be introducing the ‘hobby & leisure’ and ‘garden & landscaping’ segments to educate people about the affiliation between pets and gardens.

The proceeds from the ticket sales will go to a Vasant Kunj based NGO, Paws. The entry fee is Rs 50. The main fair will be on between 10 am and 7 pm daily.

For more, log on to www.iifpt.com