If you happen to love animals and are very keen on keeping pets at your residence which happens to be in urban India, you have to think twice.

Though pet lovers consider their pets to be a part and parcel of their families, they need to remember that their pets need some personal space too. Hence it is very important that one should carefully consider the kind of pet that one wishes to have.

If it is cats, fish, rabbits, white mice or some species of birds, space constraints hardly matter as they will fit in anywhere, without much ado. But if one plans to have dogs one should plan the idea meticulously for there is no point in harassing yourself or the animal for lack of space.

High-rise phenomena

If one has an independent home housed within a compound, a kennel can be made to fit in anywhere. As of now independent houses are becoming a rarity in ever expanding cities and large towns as urban India is busy filling up with high-rise buildings. Hence it is becoming extremely difficult to have pets at home and give them their due freedom and happiness and take care of them as long as they live.

Though animal lovers do their best for their pets sometimes when they have a function at home or happen to be entertaining guests or nursing sick people at home the idea of living with a pet may not go very well with them.

It is a fact that most pets adapt themselves rather admirably to changing environments and conduct themselves along the lines they are trained upon. Nevertheless we must keep in mind that it is man’s decision to have a pet and it is not the other way around.

Hence it becomes mandatory that he should exert himself to make life less claustrophobic and more convenient for them. After all they have been displaced from their natural settings to pander to man’s needs.

Most apartment complexes disallow pets, especially the canines as they can prove to be of nuisance value to the neighbours.

Yet if the entire city is teeming with flats, animal lovers will have to find a way to fulfil their emotional needs to be with their pets without encroaching the privacy of their neighbours, the cleanliness quotient of their homes and the surroundings, not to mention the comfort zone of their pets. If you happen to live in a flat and have a great longing to own a dog, or have other pets at home like rabbits or white mice here is an idea that you can implement.

Planning pet space

Most apartments have rooms with attached balconies. First of all identify a balcony that faces south or north as excessive sunlight can be uncomfortable to the canines and allocate the space for them. It is preferable to fix a metal grill and cover the balcony to let in sunshine and fresh air besides providing a sense of security to the pet.

A sliding glass window over the grill will effectively keep the area from getting drenched during the monsoons.

The flooring of the pet room will be highly functional if you could go in for terracotta tiles to give that cool earthy feeling to your pet, you can be sure that they will not skid on the floor and if they spill or splutter water it will be absorbed by the floor besides they will be easy to maintain in the long run. Terracotta tiles fixed on the walls at least to a height of three feet will be additionally beneficial.

Drainage

It is advisable to incorporate a drainage system in the place so that it can be washed clean from time to time. At times you could even bathe your pet in there or wash the aquarium or clean the cage without disturbing the rest of the household. If you fix a tap with running water and a regular electric light apart from a zero watt bulb in the premises it will prove useful.

A couple of cupboards with perforated doors built along the walls will help you store the canned food, medicines, toys, rugs, leashes, dishes and other items related to the pets in them. A couple of potted plants placed in the balcony will lend a touch of greenery to the place and will prevent any offensive odour from spreading into the home.

Since the balcony is fitted with a grill, the door connecting the balcony and the room can be fitted with a small pet door measuring at least one square foot which can be used by the animal at whim when you choose to keep the door closed so that the pet has access to the house 24/7. The little door can be fitted with a latch that can be fastened if you happen to go away on a vacation.

While it is imperative to have enough space for your pet, it is also important that the premises should be clean. It is of essence that you should regulate the toilet habits of your pet and teach it to use the human toilet during times of emergency.

If your house is still in the process of being built make sure that you make the provisions during the stage of construction otherwise incorporate these minor changes in your home. George Eliot once remarked, “Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, pass no criticism.”

True, but you can rest assured that your pet will certainly appreciate your consideration when it enjoys the cosy corner allotted to it when it wants some privacy….