Abstract: Owning/keeping different species of pet animals has become a social norm in many countries. Pet animals are keeping as a symbiotic relationship by mankind as a source of companionship, pleasure and for protection that facilitates social interaction, fostering connections with other pet animal owners and members of the community. To record the pet animals keeping activity in Mysore, present investigation was conducted during March-June, 2024 by following standard methods. Altogether, 452 residents were selected randomly and grouped them into pet owners, non-pet owners, pet walkers and non-pet walkers at 32 areas which belong to newly established areas, old areas and outskirts of Mysore. More than ten parameters were considered to collect information on pet animals keeping activity using pre-tested questionnaire. Collected data was systematically complied and analysed using various standard methods, compared between different areas of Mysore using standard statistical tests. Results revealed quite interesting facts as follows. Distribution of pet owners, non-pet owners and pet owners walking with pets distributed at newly established areas in Mysore, old Mysore and outskirt area of Mysore belong to Karnataka and outside Karnataka indicated significant difference. Total 87 residents are new to pet animals keeping and 128 residents are practising pet animals keeping since second generation and only few (41) residents are practicing pet animals keeping since third generation of their family. In Mysore dogs, cats, fishes and birds are commonly used as pets and more number of pet animals are keeping in old Mysore area compared to new and outskirts of Mysore city. Further, majority of the pet owners keep pet animals for hobby and few residents keep pet animals for commercial purpose. Furthermore, highest number of pet owners (98) had 3 to 6 years of experience and 44 pet owners had 6 to 9 years of experience in keeping/rearing pet animals. Pet owners provide home-made food, dry kibbles, wet canned food, raw diet and mixed food to their pets with different feeding schedules which is not alike at different areas of Mysore. Veterinary care such as grooming and vaccination are provided to pet animals as per the standard norms. Every pet owner spend lakhs of rupees on their pet animals in Mysore. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the need for promoting responsible pet ownership and designing effective pet welfare programs to support the growing trend of pet ownership in urban areas like Mysore. These insights are vital for policymakers to maintain and manage pets, urban planners and the community to create pet-friendly environment that would contribute positivity among the owners and their pet animal’s well-being.
Key words: Pet animals, keeping activities, Mysore city

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2024.111020