CHENNAI: Forced to stay indoors in the lockdown, city residents are now looking to dogs to beat loneliness and boredom. This has led to prices of pets more than doubling.
“There has been a 30% increase in the calls I get now,” said R V Nirmal Kumar of Sara Kennel. “People know it will take another three or four months for life to get back to normal. Since care in the first few months for pets like dogs is crucial, they want to buy now and put a plan in place, so the pet can be taken care of by a family member once life gets back to normal,” he said.
Labradors, German Shepherds, Dobermans and Great Danes, which sold for Rs 6,000, now cost more than Rs 15,000. But buyers are more keen on tiny breeds such as Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds and Beagles, thinking they are easier to maintain at home.
Vetri, a fitness trainer and a physiotherapist from Adyar, is now desperately looking to buy a Shih Tzu, which costs more than Rs 20,000. “I do not mind paying so much. My parents are in our hometown. My fitness centre is shut, and I am alone at home. Dogs are the best company now,” he said.
Prices have been pushed up by rising demand and difficulty in sourcing these animals from other states. More than 50% of the puppies in the city are purchased from cities outside TN such as Bangalore, dealers said. They also warned that poor quality dogs were being palmed off on unwary buyers.
Breeders also worry that many pet owners will abandon their dogs once things return to normal. Vijay AR from Tamed Pets said instead of dogs, he encourages people to buy birds or hamsters nd guinea pigs, which have shorter lifespans.
Veterinarian Dr R Sokkalingam said the lockdown has also led to the severe outbreak of highly contagious and fatal parvovirus enteritis infection among dogs. “Not all clinics are open now, so getting care at the right time is also difficult. If not treated within two days, the dogs could die of this disease. I have been getting at least six cases every day for treatment for the last 20 days,” he said.
“There has been a 30% increase in the calls I get now,” said R V Nirmal Kumar of Sara Kennel. “People know it will take another three or four months for life to get back to normal. Since care in the first few months for pets like dogs is crucial, they want to buy now and put a plan in place, so the pet can be taken care of by a family member once life gets back to normal,” he said.
Labradors, German Shepherds, Dobermans and Great Danes, which sold for Rs 6,000, now cost more than Rs 15,000. But buyers are more keen on tiny breeds such as Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds and Beagles, thinking they are easier to maintain at home.
Vetri, a fitness trainer and a physiotherapist from Adyar, is now desperately looking to buy a Shih Tzu, which costs more than Rs 20,000. “I do not mind paying so much. My parents are in our hometown. My fitness centre is shut, and I am alone at home. Dogs are the best company now,” he said.
Prices have been pushed up by rising demand and difficulty in sourcing these animals from other states. More than 50% of the puppies in the city are purchased from cities outside TN such as Bangalore, dealers said. They also warned that poor quality dogs were being palmed off on unwary buyers.
Breeders also worry that many pet owners will abandon their dogs once things return to normal. Vijay AR from Tamed Pets said instead of dogs, he encourages people to buy birds or hamsters nd guinea pigs, which have shorter lifespans.
Veterinarian Dr R Sokkalingam said the lockdown has also led to the severe outbreak of highly contagious and fatal parvovirus enteritis infection among dogs. “Not all clinics are open now, so getting care at the right time is also difficult. If not treated within two days, the dogs could die of this disease. I have been getting at least six cases every day for treatment for the last 20 days,” he said.
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