In a bid to find new homes for several dogs that have been rescued, Animal Welfare Trust Ekamra (AWTE) based in Bhubaneswar organized a show ‘Aashray 2022’ at Pavillion, Nandankanan Road on April 17.
This was a first in the temple city where celebrities of the state took to the ramp paired with the fur buddies who were the real showstoppers.
The focus was on indie dogs and that of other foreign and mixed breeds who were abandoned on the streets heartlessly or met with some severe accident and were saved by the shelter.
“Our aim is to create awareness about dog adoption. These little kids need all the love and a forever home. We through our show want to help them find one and thankfully we have been getting calls,” said Purabi Patra, founder of AWTE.
“If you ask me, then I would suggest people opt for indie dogs as even we are Indie. They are made for our country’s atmosphere and climate. Yet there are other abandoned foreign breed dogs that are part of the show and are seeking help,” added Patra.
Also, read: Rescued 2500+ Dogs And Cats, This ‘Dog Mother’ Also Takes Care Of 2 Donkeys, 4 Calves, And A Cow
Several celebrities joined the cause including Ollywood Star Elina Samantaray, Fashion Designer Sabyasachi Satpathy, Fresh Music Video Faces Abhishek Panda, Damini, and many others. They were all partnered by a select rescue dog that walked with them on the stage.
“I feel blessed and honored being a part of today’s event. I walked the ramp with Jeet, he was the most cuddliest of all. He won’t leave my lap all throughout the event. I would like to thank AWTE, they are doing so much for these innocent little shelter animals. It’s truly inspiring for me. I would request people to visit the shelter and give these babies a home. They are so well behaved, fun loving and lively. They will definitely fill anyone’s house with joy,” urged actress Damini.
“To be very honest, main expect kar raha tha ki bahut log aenge event pe. But jitne log aye the, utne me event bahut successful raha cause bahut animals ko naya ghar mil gaya wahinpe. I walked the ramp with Heena, a black alsatian dog. Heena sirf ek saal ki he and uske ex-owner ne chod diya tha because usko tick fever tha. I am going to be her virtual parent from now onward till she finds another home,” said actor Abhishek.
AWTE felicitated all celebrities who were part of the event. They also introduced an Award this year in the memory of Shubham, a pet parent who passed away due to post COVID complications. He along with his wife Ashima adopted a dog named Dolly from AWTE and changed her life forever for the best. Named ‘Pet Parent’ award, this was bestowed upon the best pet parents of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack who have adopted indie breeds from road /shelter and given them a new life.
About Animal Welfare Trust Ekamra (AWTE)
Purabi Patra, who is originally from Rourkela, is the founder of the trust which is now an animal shelter for several abandoned and injured animals. The facility nurses these innocent souls back to life and time and again moves the citizens with its benevolence.
Patra was a marketing and management faculty in colleges affiliated with Osmania University, Hyderabad, and Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Rourkela. But she left it all some 12 years ago to run AWTE full-time and become an animal activist.
Today there are many more members in the trust which include a group of animal activists and staff who are on to bring a change in animal welfare in Bhubaneswar.
Besides adoption, you can donate to the trust for the welfare of these needy animals here. This comes with tax benefits.