Prolonged loneliness triggered by the Covid pandemic has led many Calcuttans to welcome new furry members to their families.
The demand for puppies — driven by young members in nuclear families — has surged since the lockdown last year, pet sellers and breeders said.
Offices remained shut for a long time. Schools and colleges are still shut. People had been working from home and their children were stuck to a virtual screen.
Many sought companionship from the new pets and some have found purpose through them.
Schoolteacher Sanchita Dasgupta got a Labrador puppy for her 16-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son about six months back.
“They take turns to look after him, taking him for a walk to the terrace, to play or to eat. My children have been locked up indoors with no friends and the lab has taught them to be more responsible,” said the teacher of Modern High School for Girls.
Syed Shamsher Ali, a lawyer at Calcutta High Court, bought a Rottweiler puppy in March this year.
Ali’s younger daughter, Zoya, 13, was the driving force behind the decision.
“She could not meet her friends. She could not go for her swimming sessions and music classes. She was getting restless at home. Bringing in the puppy has kept her engaged and brought a lease of fresh air into our family,” said Ali.
Gautam Giri, a professional breeder who lives in Baguiati, has bred and sold around a dozen puppies since March 2020.
“Nine of the puppies were sold to domestic buyers and three to fellow breeders. Before the pandemic, a majority of the members of a litter would be sold to breeders,” he said.
Zoya Ali with Django, the Rottweiler
Soujit Ghosh, the owner of a pet shop on Roy Bahadur Road in Behala, said since March last year, he has been selling over 25 puppies every month. Before the pandemic, he would sell around 10 every month.
“Alongside the traditional favourites like Labrador and Golden Retriever, smaller breeds like Beagle and Shih Tzu are also high on demand. Many families live in small flats. They think it is easier to handle smaller dogs in a limited space,” he said.
The adoption and sale of puppies have been driven by the children and teenagers, said dog lovers.
“Most families have one child and the parents are occupied. The children are lonely and need company,” said Kumar Krishna Basu Roy, executive committee member of several clubs under the Kennel Club of India.
Psychiatrist Jai Ranjan Ram said under the present circumstances, this was the best way to lighten up the mood.
“They take away an individual’s loneliness without judgment. Animal companions at home bring one back to life,” said Ram.
The surge in demand for pets has two sides, said dog experts.
“I get many calls from owners who have bought a puppy but are fretting over the decision now that normal life beckons,” said Saptadeep Pal, a dog trainer.
“An owner should spend time with the pet. The owner should be prepared to make some changes in his or her usual life,” he said.
Mocha, a 15-month-old French bulldog, sure has found a loving home at Phoolbagan.
“We shelved a planned trip to Sikkim because we would not be able to take him along,” said Kavita Banerjee, who had bought the puppy on the insistence of her son Rishav.