Dog Marriages in India to Prevent Rabies

According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 40 percent of the world’s rabies deaths occur in India. An estimated 20 thousand people die every year from rabies infections across the country.

Some dog lovers in Jaipur have started a new campaign to encourage people to adopt stray dogs so they can be vaccinated.

In the Garden of Guava at the exhibition centre an elephant welcomes the guests at the decorated gate. The guests are German Shepherds, Saint Bernards and some stray dogs.

Ginger is here with her master, Sameer Lal, an engineering student. They’re part of the bride’s family. “We come here for the marriage of my family’s dog. We are here as family members.”

Viren Sharma is the wedding organiser.

“The basic concept is to gather two beautiful souls of dogs. We will send these dogs on honeymoon too. This is basically a mock wedding to promote the idea of adopting stray dogs to keep them taken care of. These dogs have been an integral part of the Indian society for ages.”



The World Health Organisation says that in India every year about 15 million people are bitten by animals, mostly dogs. And almost 30 thousand people die because of rabies. The campaign to adopt stray dogs aims to encourage more dogs to be vaccinated as the government has failed to address the issue.

Some guests are difficult to control, but some sit calmly. Some of the children are drawing pictures of the dog bride and groom 6th grade student Gagan is drawing himself and the groom dog in front of beautiful scenery. The prize is a lovely pedigree puppy.

“Dogs are not well-treated in our society. So this is to spread the message so people stop being abusive to stray dogs. These dogs are not vaccinated and not fed properly.”

Now it’s time for Rodi and Lala to get married. Viren announces that they’re now husband and wife. “The couple should promise to undergo a family planning program. And the male dog must promise that from today he will never look at other female dogs.”

After the vow, the newly weds are presented with a large wedding cake in the shape of a bone.

This is the first dog marriage ever to be held in India. KL Sharma is at the wedding party with his dog, Boxer

“The message is clear. In today’s world, people don’t love each other and don’t love animals either. I think we should love our animals so we can get them vaccinated on time. Someone should take care of the dogs. My dog is now free from rabies.”

Back to the wedding, the party is on. Some models are on the catwalk carrying and escorting their dogs while music plays in the background.