From quacks to qualified vets, Dhaka’s evolving pet care scene

People are becoming increasingly aware of animal welfare, leading to an increase in pet ownership and a push for better care for strays.

Fourteen years ago, when we first adopted Boo (our spitz breed of canine), the city had few real veterinarians, and only a handful of assistants who later became de facto "vets", daring to even do surgeries. Taking care of Boo's geriatric ailments at his advanced age, I realised how far the pet care industry has evolved and flourished in Dhaka over the years.

Farzana Alam, Director, Pranicool Animal Wellness Clinic, reiterates, "The demand for good veterinary services and emergency care has grown, making it clear that there's a lot more support for our furry friends in the city now."

Dr Mir Nishat Tasnim Tania, who is a registered small animal practitioner (Medicine and Surgery), says, "Inside Dhaka, there are now more than 50 shelters and hundreds of veterinary care-giving places, and the demand for these facilities is rising with the new trend of pet ownership. We now have proper diagnostic facilities like X-ray, ultrasonography, blood test, CBC, biochemical tests, different hormone tests, and other microscopic examinations."

But Dr Tania feels that the industry still has miles to go.

"Veterinary infrastructure and the focus on veterinary education and services still prioritise livestock over companion and stray animals. Besides the lack of training and development in the community, the inadequate support for research, and the widespread use of unqualified quackery undermine the profession, creating a significant gap in care."

Dr Nusrat Jahan, a Senior Veterinarian and Pet practitioner (Medicine and Surgery), believes veterinary is an amazing profession. She goes on to say, "In many ways, vets still face stiff challenges to treat critical diseases as we have not developed a pet-specific pharmaceutical yet!"

Hopefully, with time, these gaps will also be filled.

As a pet owner of an old dog, I am grateful for the expansion of the pet industry and for qualified, registered veterinarians. The amount of patience and care veterinarians are required to give and show to cure these sick animals is unimaginable. They tirelessly treat patients who are unable to communicate their suffering with them.

Despite my initial zoophobia, attending a furry friend for 14 long years has taught me that having a companion animal is a lifetime commitment. If you are not ready to be a pet parent, I suggest you give the idea a rest.  Ill-kempt, malnourished, abandoned in bathrooms or kennels, or subjected to inhuman torture and cruelties is no way to keep a pet. If you truly want to adopt a cat or a dog, then treat them with care and love as you would a family member.  And believe me, now there are people around, with professional expertise, to help you in that process.