Gallant dogs with glossy fur, sounds of a whopping array of fancy pigeons and fish in colourful hues, and a colourful kids’ carnival unfolded at the YMCA grounds, as part of the five-day pet festival that began on January 13. The fair buzzed with frenzied activity as pet enthusiasts flooded the campus. They crisscrossed a maze of pathways to gaze at the resplendent plumage of exotic birds on display, such as macaws, cockatoos, blue crown conures and American fan tails, giving bird spotting an entirely new connotation. Marine fish in myriad shapes and sizes, such as discus, flower horns, tetra and clown fish, provided a whirlwind of opportunity for visitors to learn the finer aspects of an aquatic habitat.
Gulab, founder of Wet Pets and a key organiser of the event, dwelt on the theme of the carnival. “We want children to be exposed to the different species of birds and fish from across the globe. They can learn about how to take care of each type of pet,” he said.
The Eco Club members of St Williams Anglo Indian School, Royapettah, who got the opportunity to explore the event on day one, were visibly thrilled.
“It was a unique experience.
I‘ve never even seen so many birds in one place,” exclaimed K Meenakshi, a Class 10 student The highlight of the fair was undoubtedly the dog show. The rare sight of Persian cats and Shih Tzu dogs on day four and five turned out to be crowd-favourites.
Curious kids jostled around to pat the different breeds of dogs that put on an exclusive show for them. A host of games, including bouncing castles and snazzy boating games on inflatable pools, added to the excitement in the air.
The fun-filled event, organised by Fuel3 Events, concluded on January 17.