Thrissur is fast becoming the "kennel capital" of Kerala, thanks to a supermarket for dogs. From NRIs to foreigners, people are flocking to it for electronic toys, toothbrushes, vaccines, shoes and more - all for the canines.

Owned by Anoj Cheeran, the supermarket is known as "Cheeran's". It has been in business for five years. But in the last two years, it has become a must visit by dog owners not only from the state but also from outside.

"Quality is the hallmark of things that I sell and that is why we have been growing consistently well over 30 percent year on year. We import these things from the US, Europe and Taiwan to name a few countries," Cheeran told IANS.

You name it and it has everything, ranging from readymade kennels, electronic toys, food items, medicines, vaccines and cosmetic items ranging from toothbrushes, soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners and shoes to various types of mattresses.

There are more than 500 different items, of which 80 percent are imported.

And anyone who is not happy with a purchase can return it.

"See, we have done this because when a purchase for a dog is made, both the pet and the pet owner have to be happy with the purchase and over the years the number of things that have been returned is very small," said Cheeran, a pharmacy and management graduate.

The main reason why this supermarket is such a hit is that a dog is no longer seen as just a pet but as a companion.

"There is a change in perception. We can sense that when owners come in with their puppies to our shop. They do it the way parents walk in to a baby shop with their new born babies," said Cheeran.

Among the fast-moving items are shoes for dogs, mattresses, toothbrushes, cosmetic products, items to fight bad breath and tartar removing equipment.

"We were baffled by the steady stream of Keralites settled abroad and also foreigners buying from here. Later we found that things here are cheaper than in their countries. There is quite a number of foreign students who study various art forms here and, when they go for a vacation, they buy heavily from us," added Cheeran.

Besides this supermarket, Thrissur also boasts of the only veterinary college in the state. The headquarters of the Kerala Police dog training squad also a large number of dog trainers.

"And it's not going to be long when Thrissur would be known as the kennel capital of the state," Cheeran said.

Source: IANS