Make Doors Open For Pets!!

We've been quarantined for 2 years but our pets have been quarantined their entire lives! 

The lockdown and the pandemic made us realize how socialization and human interaction can shape our emotional and mental health. If the lack of human interaction for a year can take a significant toll on our mental wellbeing, imagine the plight of pets. They've been caged in apartments and lacked freedom to exercise their basic rights for years now! 

In 2016 a petition was passed when DDA changed a few rules regarding accompanying pet dogs to parks in Delhi. But our question is, WHY ONLY DELHI? Why is this rule not applicable to other cities? Cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore & Pune are relatively lenient towards pets but it's not completely inclusive. Pets are not allowed in parks, lifts, restaurants and the majority of public spaces.

Exercise is not only pivotal for a pet's health and wellbeing it is also a fundamental right. Furthermore, lack of exercise and interaction can cause aggression and anti-social behaviour in pets! A large number of pet parents in India live in apartments so they don't have a private space to take their dogs for a walk. Walking them on the pavement scares other residents who don't want to come into close proximity with animals.

India is one of the world's largest booming pet industries and the number of people keeping dogs as companions is increasing every year! There ought to be a solution to pet inclusivity via lifestyle changes. 

This petition urges the government, municipalities, pet parents, animal lovers and AWO of other Indian cities to take a step to a more pet-inclusive world by:

• Implementing a system where pet parents can walk their dog at specified time slots in public parks at least.
• Enforcing pet parents to pick up pet excreta and deposit it in the garbage can, dedicated to pet excreta so that residents don't complain or feel uncomfortable.
• Ensuring that local boards lift the pet ban in parks and also remove sign boards that prohibit their entry.
• Leashing pets no longer than 6 feet in length in common areas. However, authorities cannot force pet parents to use muzzles.
• Accompanying pets to restaurants, cafes and other eateries so that they are not left behind alone at home.

#MakeDoorsOpen urges municipalities and restaurant owners to promote pet inclusivity. We at Go Bandanas India, are curating an easy-to-use, accessible and free list of pet-friendly cafes. Check our website www.gobandanasin.com to find a space in your city. Or if you know any other spaces, helps fellow pet parents around by adding it on our list: https://forms.gle/fcUGYtnMYXEHPQzu8