Hycan 24, a grand pet show of dogs and cats held

Hyderabad, November 24, 2024: Pedigree Pro HyCan'24 – A Grand pet show for Dogs, Cats, and Pet Lovers held in the city on Sunday at OM Convention at Narsingi in Hyderabad. It was organised by the Hyderabad Canine Club, which is dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals and responsible pet ownership through events that bring together the pet-loving community.
 
Mahesh Bhagwat graced as Chief Guest.  He said that this was his second visit and his association with dogs goes back to his three-year stint with police dogs. He came to the expo along with Ume assault dog.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this dog and cat show, he said.  Unlike in the West, there are not many cat lovers in India.  But, I am surprised to see so many varieties of cats on display at the show.  Dogs are very good companions as families have shrunk and become nucleus.  The dog is a stress buster, Mahesh Bhagwat said. 
 
Dogs are used by police in Narcotics, in the detection of Explosives, Cadaver, Tracking, and Assault Operations. Dogs are super-powered. They can follow human scents (including people who are lost or hiding), and detect drugs, explosives and even human remains. Some police dogs are specially trained as arson dogs and can pick up scents or traces of accelerants in arson sites, he said.  Police use cadaver dogs also known as human remains detection dogs, to find missing people and help solve criminal cases, he added. He congratulated the Hyderabad Canine Club for organising such a good show for the benefit of the pet lovers. Bhagwat visited the show with a 4-year-old Ume Golden Retreat dog. 
 
Hari Chandana, a bureaucrat also visited the show along with her family members. 
 
Dr. M. Praveen Rao, President of Hyderabad Canine Club said the show was organised besides the regular shows and competitions, we wanted to create more awareness about responsible pet ownership.  Through this show, we also want to help improve the quality of the breeds and standards.  There are well over 150 breeds.  And their standards must be improved, without which there is no meaning in developing more breeds, he opined. 
 
Dr Praveen Rao added that Covid helped the pet industry to boom.  Many started adopting pets.  But, the sad part of it, a quite several pet parents abandoned pets after the covid got over.
 
Some rare breeds which participated in the show were  Saluki (it is a standardised breed developed from sighthounds – dogs that hunt primarily by sight rather than strong scent);  The Bichon Frise is a small, white dog breed with a curly coat that's known for being affectionate, playful, and intelligent;  American Bully(The American Bully is a modern breed of dog that was developed as a companion dog) and Hairy Dachshund (a short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type dog breed), Dr Praveen informed. 
 
Philip Bhatt the secretary of the club added that the show attracted five thousand visitors, 500 plus dogs and 100 plus cats.  We have been creating a lot of awareness for responsible pet parenting, he said. 
 
Salil Murthy, Managing Director, Mars Petcare India which is associated with Pedigree Pro HyCan’24 said “At Mars Petcare, we are driven by a simple yet profound belief: pets make the world better, and we strive to make the world better for pets. Events like Pedigree Pro HyCan’24 bring this vision to life, celebrating the unconditional bond between pets and their families while championing responsible pet care. Pedigree has been a proud partner of HyCan, one of the most established and renowned initiatives that celebrate the unique relationship between pets and pet parents. Through our ‘Be SAFE with Dogs’ initiative, we take a step further in building awareness and fostering safer, more inclusive communities where pets and people thrive together. By supporting HyCan’24, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where every pet is cared for, valued, and celebrated as part of the family.”
 
The show brought together pet enthusiasts, industry leaders, and families for a day filled with excitement, education, and celebration.
 
This year's show was bigger and better. The Kennel Club of India Championship Dog Show and the Indian Cat Club Cat Show showcased the finest dogs and cats from across the country. 
 
In the Kennel Club of India Championship Dog Show visitors can witness top dogs competing for championship titles under the guidance of internationally reputed judges.
 
The Indian Cat Club showcased many varieties of breeds, including some rare breeds, British Shorthairs, Ragdolls, and Maine Coons. Maine Coons are a domestic breed and it is the longest cat. It costs Rs 2.5 lakh and above. Another exotic breed on display was British Shorthairs which  cost Rs 1.2 lakh upwards.  The British Shorthair is the oldest natural English breed. One more exotic and rare variety of the cat on display was the Thai Cat which costs Rs 75,000/- upwards. 
 
Top 10 Breed Awards was held Featuring popular breeds like German Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Shih Tzus in a specialty-style competition.
 
HyCan Groomania Grooming Competition was also held.  It showcased some of India’s best groomers competing for top honours.
 
Pet Registration and Microchipping Campaigns was also held. It was a special drive to help dog owners register and microchip their pets for better identification and welfare.
 
An awareness program called Be SAFE with Dogs: Educational sessions on how to safely approach a dog, react when a dog runs towards you, and interact responsibly with pets to prevent accidents etc was also planned.
 
The show was a Celebration with a Cause.  Pedigree Pro HyCan'24 is not just about fun – it’s a platform to promote responsible pet ownership, ethical breeding practices, and the welfare of animals. The event offered an opportunity for pet lovers and industry professionals to connect, share, and learn while enjoying a family-friendly atmosphere.