The first-ever Pet Fed at Dilli Haat in 2014 was, in Gupta’s words, “a mix of excitement and chaos!” Picture this: a venue buzzing with over 9,000 people and their pets. But getting there wasn’t easy. “The biggest challenge was convincing people—be it sponsors, partners, or even pet parents—that this concept would work. India hadn’t seen something like this before. Many people questioned if there was even an audience for such an event,” he recalls.
Armed with persistence and sleepless nights, Gupta managed to pull it off, and the day turned out to be, as he says, ‘magical.’ “It was overwhelming to see hundreds of pets with their parents in one place. Seeing pets and their parents bond in such an energetic atmosphere was deeply fulfilling.”
By 2016, the festival had exploded in popularity, with over 20,000 attendees and expansions to other cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru. “A key milestone was expanding to Mumbai—it was our first big step outside Delhi, and the response was phenomenal,” Gupta shares. From Police Dog Shows to the adorably named Catapalooza, the festival kept finding new ways to surprise and delight.
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Running a festival of this scale isn’t just about the cuddles and tail wags, though. Behind the scenes, it’s a business powerhouse. “Each event involves substantial investment between ₹1.5 to ₹2 crore depending on the city,” Gupta reveals. “A significant chunk of our budget goes towards the venue and production—creating a safe and enjoyable space for pets is non-negotiable. Then there’s marketing, entertainment, and operational costs.” Revenue streams are diverse, including sponsorships, ticket sales, stall rentals for exhibitors, and branded activities at the events.
Profitability, however, wasn’t immediate. “Profitability came after three years, once we streamlined operations and built trust with our sponsors,” Akshay explains. Those early years involved a delicate balancing act—investing heavily while convincing a sceptical market to believe in the vision. The hard work paid off, and today, Pet Fed is not just sustainable but thriving, with each city’s success funding new expansions.
Preparation for each event is a whirlwind of activity, and Gupta dives headfirst into every detail. “No two days are the same during event prep! During preparation, my day starts early and is packed with action. From coordinating with the team, finalising sponsors, and ensuring logistics to designing the layout and activities, every detail matters. There are times when I’m at the venue making sure every last detail is in place,” he explains.
Akshay’s vision for Pet Fed is as grand as the events themselves. “My vision is to make Pet Fed a global celebration of pets and their families and to create a community where pets and their parents feel celebrated—not just in India, but worldwide,” he says. He dreams of expanding internationally and introducing year-round initiatives to foster deeper connections between pets and their parents.
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