Celebrating compassion and community spirit, the Rotary Club of Bombay's Animal Welfare Committee hosted a special event evening on Tuesday at the Wodehouse Gymkhana. The initiative echoed a singular, powerful message: “Adopt Indies, Don’t Shop Them”. It sparked conversations about the importance of choosing adoption over purchasing pets.
The event brought together animal lovers, activists and other personalities, who rallied for raising awareness about the plight of stray and abandoned Indian breed dogs – commonly known as Indies – and promote their adoption. The evening also witnessed the launch of Missy's Musings, a book penned by veteran advertising professional and animal lover Ramesh Narayan. The book is a tribute to Missy, his beloved Indie companion, and reflects on the joy and lessons she brought into his life.
Narayan also unveiled a short film centered on the life of an Indie dog. A collaborative effort with Anushree Kandalkar, Nabil Abbas, Dhananjay K and himself, the film featured actress and animal welfare supporter Pooja Bhatt. She not only lent her voice to the narrative but also made an impassioned on-screen appeal to the audience. Her message was clear: “If you can’t adopt, support shelters and NGOs that care for these animals.”
The film emphasised the struggles Indies face on the streets and in overcrowded shelters, while also highlighting their loyalty, resilience and suitability as pets. This film will be featured across India to assure that it reaches as many Indians as possible.
“Indies are hardy, cost-efficient and as loving as any other dogs, so why not adopt them. We need to start building the Indie brand,” Narayan said. With the attendees lauding him, the evening stood as a testament to the Rotary Club of Bombay’s continued efforts in animal welfare and the growing movement to give Indies the love and homes they deserve.
