puppy mills

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Online edition of India's National Newspaper

Monday, Sep 22, 2008

ePaper <http://epaper.thehindu.com/>

 

* Pet lovers capitalising on pet rearing *

Amutha Kannan Photo: M. Periasamy

 

* CHANGING PRIORITIES: Inflation has made people look at pet animals for a

purpose other than companionship. – *

 

When survival of middle class families in the face of inflation has become a

thing to contend with, it is natural to assume that the addition of pets

would seem like a burden for them.

 

Buying and nurturing pets is an expensive proposition. But, people (even

those from middle class) buying dogs and cats from kennels do not seem to

have been affected. If one thought it was a trend to feel happy about and

that they were doing so for th e love of animals, then it is not so.

 

Most people are going in for costly breeds so that they can use them for

breeding. Money is not compromised to procure the best breeds, because they

can be used as money-spinners, say kennel owners.

 

The days of having pets like dogs and cats strictly for the sake of

companionship seem to have become things of the past.

 

" People do not hesitate to spend even Rs. 20,000 for a pug (female) because

they will cross it for breeding after eight months. It will give four

litters a year. The number of pups in every litter will vary. But, they will

be able to earn at least Rs. 1 lakh a year, " says A.S. Gerald, a kennel

owner.

 

Owning a particular breed has to do more with status than love for the

animal. He says that the sale of pug breed has gone up after the use of the

dog by a private cellular operator in its commercial. " Earlier, it used to

be only Rs. 6,000. Now, it has increased to Rs. 20,000, " says Mr. Gerald.

 

Having said this, how do true pet lovers cope with inflation? S. Rathan, who

has a nine-year old Golden Retriever (Labrador) says his Yorkie is like a

daughter and a sibling to his two sons. " Once a year I do let her breed. I

give away the pups to very close friends or sometimes sell them. She is big,

so maintaining her is expensive. But, we look after her needs as we do for

any other member of the family. She loves non-vegetarian food, so we indulge

her. Dog food is restricted to a few meals a week. Her presence brings about

a lot of cheer and has instilled in the children a deep love for animals. "

 

S. Sarathy, another kennel owner says that the sale of larger breeds like

Labrador, Dobberman and German Shepherd has reduced. " Though they cost less,

their maintenance and the space required by them as they grow is more. Only

those with open spaces who need the dogs for security purpose go in for

them. Even middle class people prefer the more expensive smaller breeds. "

 

Kennel owners justify this by telling that the feeding cost for smaller

breeds is very less. " The monthly cost of feeding a grown up pug will work

out to only a few hundreds.

 

The dog eats only two to three spoons of rice or six to seven granules in

case of dog food. The same is the case with miniature Pomeranian which

weighs only 750 gm, " says Mr. Gerald. The initial cost involved for any pup

up to four months is the same.

 

Cost of baby food, vaccinations, and allied expenses will pinch the pocket.

 

Pet lover or pet rearer, the classification may vary, but the sale of pets,

including cats does not seem to have suffered. There are even buyers for

Siamese cats that cost Rs. 8,000 each, says Mr. Gerald.

* *

 

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