One in Four Indian Pet Owners Willing to Adopt: Mars Brings Global Adoption Weekend 2026 to Hyderabad

As part of the 2026 Mars Global Adoption Weekend themed “Clearing the Path”, Mars organized an event at its Hyderabad plant in partnership with Aasra, an animal rescue and welfare NGO. Marking a key milestone, the Hyderabad facility hosted its first live adoption event, where a puppy found a permanent home with a Mars employee. To further encourage adoption and connect homeless animals with loving families, Mars also partnered with Blue Cross of Hyderabad for an adoption drive. The event featured engaging experiences, including Paint with Puppies, Pet Trivia, and Pet Yoga, alongside a dedicated Adoption Interaction Zone and Support Desk powered by experts.

Survey Findings on Pet Homelessness and Adoption Barriers:
The event highlighted insights from Mars’ global research across 14 countries, alongside a Censuswide survey of 2,000 adults in India. Key takeaways include:

Willingness to Adopt: Among non-adopting pet owners in India, 25% (one in four) expressed willingness to adopt a pet in the future if given proper guidance and support.

Key Concerns: Prospective owners cited hesitations surrounding unknown medical histories (34%), behavioral backgrounds (23%), and adaptability to home environments (27%).

Homelessness Scale: The 2023 Mars State of Pet Homelessness survey estimated that nearly 69.3 million pets in India are homeless.

Nutritional Guidance: About 89% of shelter pet adopters in India change their pet’s diet upon bringing them home, underscoring the critical need for expert nutritional support.

Launch of Mars Online Adoption Hub:
To facilitate smooth and confident adoption, Mars launched an online Mars Adoption Hub. Backed by scientific insights from the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, the hub provides pre- and post-adoption expert advice. The research shows that 43% of adopters consider seeing a pet integrate as a family member, and 40% consider seeing them feel relaxed at home, as the most fulfilling milestones of pet parenthood. Globally, the 2026 Mars Global Adoption Weekend has expanded to over 30 countries to support local shelters.

Leadership Perspective: 
Manish Syag, Managing Director, Mars Pet Nutrition India, stated: “Every pet deserves a safe, healthy, and loving home. Our research shows that 56% of pet owners in India adopted through shelters or rescue centers, compared to 42% globally, showing strong local enthusiasm. Creating a better world for pets requires continuous work across animal birth control, vaccination, and social awareness. Through the Mars Impact Fund, we support the Humane World for Animals’ National ABC Training Centre in Lucknow, alongside NGO partnerships and ‘Better Cities for Pets’ initiatives in Bengaluru. Through Global Adoption Weekend, we aim to bring more pets and owners together while empowering adopters with lifetime guidance.”