Industry leaders and policymakers outline a collaborative vision to strengthen India’s fast-growing companion animal ecosystem through science, sustainability and responsible pet ownership.

New Delhi, August 5, 2026: India’s rapidly expanding pet care industry is poised to become a major contributor to the country’s economy, provided its growth is guided by scientific research, sustainable practices and strong veterinary infrastructure. This was the key message at the inaugural CII India Petcare Summit, where government officials, industry experts and animal welfare advocates came together to discuss the future of India’s companion animal ecosystem.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Naveena B. Maheswarappa, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, highlighted the sector’s growing importance as a source of innovation, investment, employment and improved animal welfare. He stressed that the industry’s long-term success would depend on evidence-based policies, responsible pet ownership and the expansion of quality veterinary services across the country.

Dr. Maheswarappa noted that India is home to an estimated 40–50 million companion animals and 60–70 million free-roaming dogs, making balanced and sustainable coexistence a national priority. He observed that the pet care industry is emerging as an important economic sector with immense opportunities for manufacturing, entrepreneurship and job creation.

Addressing the rapidly growing pet nutrition segment, he underlined the importance of science-backed nutrition, sustainable sourcing of ingredients and transparent labelling standards. He called for greater investment in research and development to reduce dependence on imports while encouraging indigenous innovation under the Make in India initiative. According to him, the future of the industry should be shaped by innovation, compassion, responsible stewardship and scientific excellence.

Dr. Maheswarappa also emphasised the need to strengthen India’s veterinary ecosystem through expanded veterinary education, standardised institutional frameworks and enhanced training for para-professionals. He advocated the development of advanced referral hospitals equipped with specialised services such as oncology, dentistry, dermatology and emergency care. He further encouraged the adoption of digital technologies, remote diagnostics and telemedicine to improve accessibility and quality of veterinary healthcare. Promoting public-private partnerships, pet insurance and awareness of zoonotic diseases through the One Health approach were also identified as important priorities.

Highlighting the impressive growth of the pet food market, Dr. Maheswarappa said the industry, valued at approximately USD 2.4 billion in 2024, is projected to reach nearly USD 4.6 billion by 2033. He stressed that this expansion must be accompanied by sustainable production practices, enhanced skill development, stronger research capabilities and greater utilisation of domestic resources. He also urged stakeholders to shift the focus from consumerism towards responsible pet ownership and animal well-being.

Offering an animal welfare perspective, Ms. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Chairperson of People for Animals, said that the future of India’s pet care sector should be viewed as part of a broader ecosystem encompassing veterinary education, public health, urban planning and policy development. She remarked that the industry’s success should ultimately be measured by its contribution to improving animal welfare and addressing public health challenges rather than merely by commercial growth.

Speaking on behalf of the industry, Dr. Arun Atrey, Chairman of the CII National Task Force on Animal Wellbeing and Managing Director of Zenex Animal Health, described the summit as a landmark event for India’s companion animal sector. He observed that rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyles and growing awareness among pet owners have accelerated demand for quality pet nutrition, preventive healthcare, diagnostics, insurance, retail and specialised veterinary services.

Dr. Atrey also highlighted the transformative role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, wearable health devices, digital diagnostics and teleconsultation platforms in modern veterinary practice. These innovations, he said, have the potential to significantly improve healthcare accessibility, diagnosis and treatment outcomes for companion animals.

The summit also featured a theme presentation titled “Pet Care in India: Shaping a Resilient and Inclusive Companion Care Landscape” by Ms. Sahiba Puri, Global Insight Manager, Petcare, Euromonitor International. Her presentation explored emerging consumer trends, market opportunities and the evolving outlook for India’s companion animal sector, offering valuable insights into the industry’s future trajectory.

The event commenced with opening remarks by Ms. Amita Sarkar, Deputy Director General, CII, who welcomed participants and emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in building a progressive and sustainable pet care ecosystem.

The inaugural CII India Petcare Summit concluded with a shared commitment from policymakers, industry leaders and animal welfare experts to work together in building a science-led, inclusive and sustainable pet care ecosystem that supports both animal welfare and India’s growing pet care economy.

A compassionate society reflects a civil population, says Rudranil Dey.

Animal protection laws are a reflection of the compassion and responsibility that a society extends towards animals who are voiceless and depend on humans for survival. Given the repeated accounts of animal cruelty, abandonment and torture, the legal system is responsible for framing robust legislation to safeguard animal welfare. In the case of India, the Constitution recognizes the importance of compassion towards all living creatures, underscoring the principle that animals deserve care, respect and protection.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

The formulation and enactment of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, was a landmark and a pillar for prevention of cruelty to animals. Its purpose is to ensure that unnecessary suffering is not inflicted on animals. Beyond physical harm it criminalises withholding any feeding and medical treatment. Despite complaints that it still holds too soft a line on sentencing, it is invaluable as the framework which gives concrete meaning to cruelty, assigns responsibility and provides scope for officials and welfare groups to step in.

Animal Birth Control Rules and Stray Dog Protection

The Stray Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules of India – both the original rules of 2001 and the amendment of 2023 – offer necessary protection for India’s stray dog population. These rules clearly indicate that stray dogs form a part of human communities and that stray animals cannot be discarded, relocated, or eliminated to prevent overpopulation, with emphasis on science based and humane approaches of sterilisation followed by anti-rabies vaccination and dogs released into their original territories.

Prakriti Hope For Stray Animals and Nature, an organisation based in Bhopal, witnessed the change in public perception. Nasrat Shaikh, the spokesperson for the organisation said, “We are optimistic that the government has been working towards better animal welfare in our nation. People are becoming more aware and are making large efforts to decrease the stray dog population through Animal Birth Control and sterilisation drives. From a practical perspective, we have not had any push back from residents or the local administration, thus we feel these projects are being accepted on a large scale.”

The Role of the Courts

High courts have confirmed the rights of street dogs to exist and also the right of people to feed them in dedicated areas so no public nuisance is created. Harassment of feeders as well as attacks on stray dogs have been declared plainly illegal and the judiciary has reiterated that mere apprehension or discomfort can never justify acts of brutality and local authorities cannot take the law into their hands.

Protecting Pet Dogs

Under the law, it is not just strays but a pet dog also has rights to receive food, shelter, exercise and medical care on the part of its owner. It is unlawful to abandon a pet dog and such actions will be treated as cruelty. Local bodies in most urban cities enforce mandatory pet-registration and vaccination from the point of view of public health and accountability of the owners.

Breeding, Trade and Inhumane Practices

Breeding and selling of dogs is also being scrutinized by law. The current focus seems to be on puppy mills. The dogs are allowed to live in abhorrent conditions and breed purely for monetary gain. Cosmetic procedures such as docking the tail and cropping the ears are also strictly prohibited under the law.

The Animal Welfare Board of India

Turning the above laws into practice is the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), which acts as a guide for government authorities, assists NGOs, establishes feeding protocols, catch-neuter-release (CNR) operations and reports animal abuse. Law enforcement agencies and courts use the recommendations of AWBI quite frequently to implement law and order on the ground. The transformation has been slow, but remarkable, says Nasrat Sheikh: “It has been so many years that we are committed to the protection of stray and abandoned animals. Along with it, we believe in educating the society about the laws on protection and right to life of community dogs. In the initial days, we faced a lot of hardships. But with our hard work and creating awareness amongst people, we feel that the general behaviour towards them is now changing.

Today, the trend is observed to be very positive and many individuals are coming forward to lend their hands towards helping these voiceless souls.”

The Constitutional Foundation

On a more significant level, the Constitution of India underpins the importance of protecting animals. Article 51A (g) enumerates the Fundamental Duty of all citizens to have compassion for living creatures and Article 48A enjoins the State to protect wildlife. Although non-justiciable, judges rely on these constitutional provisions as moral and legal guidelines in judgments related to animals.

Challenges That Remain

Despite all efforts, local knowledge of existing animal welfare legislation is sparse, sterilisation campaigns are understaffed and underfunded; enforcement officers are not well-trained, and penalties of old laws are too insignificant. However, conflicts between communities and the animal welfare proponents can be easily averted by addressing and bridging these divides by providing education at the local level and proper training to law enforcers.

From Laws to Lives

To understand the actual execution of these laws it is important to speak to those working at the ground level. Orpita Ghosh, an animal rescuer, provides the insight. When addressing the issue of pet abandonment, Ghosh leaves little room for doubt, “Bringing a dog into your home is like welcoming a family member. With this comes a responsibility from which one cannot walk away.” She feels pet registration laws must be implemented stringently enough for social and legal repercussions to be as great as those for child abandonment. Her take on the role of NGOs is simple — they are the backbone of animal welfare in India. In rescuing, feeding, housing and medicating animals and providing for the many ways to address animal welfare issues.

Moreover, by conducting advocacy and awareness programs they are working towards a stronger implementation of animal welfare laws in the country. Ghosh’s own style aims at improving a dog’s existing environment rather than transplanting it. Her efforts at providing animals with food, shelter and adequate medical care at regular intervals can make all the difference in the world. Ghosh’s story about a sick stray named Cheetah — who was given little chance of survival and whom she refused to give up on-and his full recovery truly exemplifies, in human terms, what these laws exist to protect — the right of every dog to health and well-being.

Closing Thought

India’s legal framework for safeguarding dogs indicates a society that is indeed evolving in its relationship with animals, slowly but certainly. What stands in between the framework and practice, is awareness, enforcement and the embodiment of a personal concern in action.

Sometimes, the greatest life lessons come on four legs and grant us a purpose.

Success often follows a carefully planned path. For Mike Arms, however, the road to fulfilment took an unexpected turn when a wounded rescue dog entered his life and changed everything. As a young man, Mike dreamed of building a successful career in business. Like many ambitious individuals, he focused on goals, growth, and the promise of a prosperous future. Yet, beneath those aspirations was a desire to make a meaningful difference in the world. He simply did not know how that purpose would reveal itself.

That answer came in the form of a frightened rescue dog named Tessie.

Tessie had endured a difficult life. Neglected and emotionally scarred, she carried the invisible wounds that many abandoned animals bear. When Mike first encountered her, she was cautious, withdrawn and unsure whether humans could be trusted. Most people saw a troubled dog. Mike saw a soul desperately seeking a second chance.

The connection between them was immediate, though not easy. Tessie did not transform overnight. Building trust required patience, understanding and compassion. Day by day, Mike worked to earn her confidence. Slowly, the fearful dog began to emerge from her shell.

As Tessie healed, something remarkable happened. Mike began to heal as well.

Watching her overcome fear and learn to trust again opened his eyes to the struggles faced by countless homeless animals. He realized that shelters across the country were filled with dogs and cats just like Tessie—animals longing for love, safety and an opportunity to start all over again.

The experience changed his perspective on success. While business remained important, he discovered a deeper calling. He wanted to become a voice for animals who could not speak for themselves.

Inspired by Tessie’s resilience, Mike dedicated himself to animal welfare. He became involved in rescue efforts and shelter work, learning firsthand about the challenges facing homeless pets. What started as a personal bond with one dog gradually evolved into a lifelong mission.

Over the years, Mike emerged as a passionate advocate for rescue animals. He worked tirelessly to improve shelter standards, encourage pet adoption and educate communities about responsible pet ownership. His leadership helped transform the way many people viewed animal shelters—not as places of sadness, but as centres of hope and new beginnings.

At the heart of his work remained the memory of Tessie.

She was more than a rescued dog. She was the catalyst that reshaped an entire life. Through her journey, Mike learned that every animal has value, regardless of its past. He saw that compassion has the power to heal both the giver and the receiver.

Stories about rescue animals often focus on how humans save dogs. Mike’s experience reveals an equally powerful truth: dogs frequently save humans, too. They teach patience, empathy, resilience and unconditional love. They remind us that second chances matter.

Today, Mike Arms’ story continues to inspire animal lovers around the world. It serves as a reminder that one act of kindness can create a ripple effect far beyond what we imagine. A single rescue dog helped one man discover his purpose, which went on to improve countless lives. Tessie may never have understood the impact she had on the world. Yet through her courage and capacity to trust again, she became the spark for a movement of compassion.

In the end, this is not just a story about rescuing a dog. It is a story about finding purpose, embracing empathy, and recognizing that sometimes the ones we rescue become the very ones who rescue us.

After being heartlessly deserted, the cute dog found a loving home with one of the cops, Text: Team Buddy Life.

Touching rescue story became viral in the United States after a dog was abandoned at an airport, sparking outrage, sympathy and ultimately a happy ending. The abandoned pup survived the ordeal and received thousands of adoption requests from people around the world before finding a forever home with one of the officers who helped rescue him.

The dog, a two-year-old Mini Poodle mix, was discovered tied to a baggage measurement stand at the JetBlue ticket counter at Harry Reid International Airport in Nevada. The incident took place on February 2 when airport staff noticed that the voiceless creature has been abandoned. According to authorities, the dog’s owner had attempted to board a flight with the pet, claiming it was a service dog. When she failed to provide the required paperwork, the airline refused to issue her a boarding pass.

Instead of resolving the issue or making arrangements for the pet, the woman cruelly tied the dog to a baggage sizer near the ticket counter and walked away, leaving the animal abandoned.

In the inquiry the surveillance footage was reviewed and confirmed that the owner had intentionally abandoned the dog. Police officers later located the woman at a departure gate.

When questioned about her actions, the woman’s behaviour became increasingly hostile. She was ultimately arrested and charged with animal abandonment as well as resisting arrest.

Meanwhile, the abandoned dog was taken to Animal Protective Services. After ten days passed without any attempt from the owner to reclaim him, the dog was transferred to Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas.

Once the rescue group shared his story on social media, the response was overwhelming. People from across the globe were moved by the dog’s ordeal and expressed a desire to give him a loving home. The organization reported receiving more than 2,400 adoption applications, including inquiries from as far away as London and the Virgin Islands.

Surprisingly, one of the police officers who responded to the airport call had already submitted an adoption application with the rescue organization earlier and had successfully completed the required home check. Recognizing the bond between the pet and the officer, the rescue group approved the officer’s application. The dog—now affectionately named JetBlu was given to the officer who lovingly welcomed him into his family, where he finally experienced the security and love he deserved.

The rescue organization also encouraged the thousands of hopeful adopters to give other rescue dogs a chance. With dozens of animals still waiting for homes, they reminded the public that while there is only one JetBlue, there are many other dogs in need of a loving forever home.