Celebrities adopt stray pets

Celebrities adopt stray pets

    Mumbai has turned humane towards animals. According to statistics, adoption of abandoned and injured dogs — and other animals — are on a rise in the city. Recently, actors Imran Khan and Sohail Khan adopted a dog and a pup, respectively. But they are not the only celebrities who have turned role models.
Society’s new animal saviours! Actress Anju Mahendru and singer Anushka Manchanda support foundations that sensitise people towards animal adoption. Actor Tusshar Kapoor, on the other hand, has adopted a few dogs and ensures they are fed high-end dog food. “My father (actor Jeetendra) pampers them, too. Ekta (his sister) and I love them. Dogs are like children and deserve to be treated with affection and care. I think more people need to adopt strays and have them sterilised. It will curb an increase in the population of strays,” he says.
    Model Diandra Soares and actress Tanishaa Mukerji, too, have adopted stray dogs. Vanita, wife of art director Omung Kumar, says adopting their five cats was the best decision the couple ever made. “When we found them, they were in pain — one had a twisted neck while another had an injured tail. Once they recovered, we couldn’t bear to part with them,” she says.
No more breed-conscious Ruchi Nadkarni, who works for an organisation that promotes adoption of stray animals, says people’s mentality has changed for the better. “According to our 2010 figures, we barely received one call expressing a wish to adopt strays. Last year, the number went up to five. But this year, we get at least 50 calls daily. There has been a 40% increase in the adoption of stray animals,” she says.
    Ganesh Nayak, who works for a welfare association for stray birds, animals and reptiles, feels the society is no more particular about adopting a ‘breed’. “People are getting increasingly sensitised toward pariahs or strays. They realise these hapless animals can also make great pets. These days, we get more volunteers to handle injured parakeets and animals,” he informs.
HOLLYWOOD HAS ALSO DONE IT
Actress Vanessa Williams adopted an eight-week-old blue harlequin Great Dane, Grayson, in July. She also adopted Cayman and Congo, two Shar pei-labrador mixed-breed dogs in New York. Actress Mischa Barton gave two rescue dogs, Ziggy — a pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix — and Charlie, a mixed-breed dog a home. Actor George Clooney adopted a hound, Einstein. Actress Charlize Theron is often spotted with her adopted pets, Berkley and Blue Actress Sandra Bullock adopted two maimed dogs — one with two legs and the other with three. Actor Orlando Bloom adopted a black Saluki mix, Sidi. Singers Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber adopted a puppy, Baylor, from an animal rescue center. Actor Ryan Reynolds has adopted a golden retriever, Baxter. Singer Taylor Swift rescued a Scottish Fold kitten, Meredith. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal found his German Shepherd friend, Atticus, in an LA shelter. Actress Hilary Swank loves animals so much that she even works at adoption centers. She found her Jack Russell-Corgi mix Karoo in South Africa, and her Golden Retriever mix Rumi at an event. Her dogs travel with her everywhere.

Dino Morea with Slidey

Diandra Soares with Cupcake

Kalki Koechlin with Dosa