Paw Carnival took place in Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh, on January 9, 2026, when the area briefly transformed into a living, breathing celebration of pets and their people. For one day, a public space became a rare environment where animals were not only allowed, but welcomed, admired, and deeply cared for.
The event was designed as a shared experience between humans and their pets. From grooming stations and designer pet wear to handmade treats, food stalls, and accessories, every corner of the carnival invited interaction. Pets walked in fashion shows, received gentle grooming, and enjoyed homemade bakery items, while their owners browsed, socialised, and learned. Alongside the joyful activities, there was also a pet adoption drive, where rescued animals met potential families, and a petition board that allowed visitors to advocate for more pet-friendly public spaces in Bangladesh. This balance between celebration and responsibility gave the event depth beyond mere entertainment.
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Over time, Paw Carnival has grown into one of the most important pet-friendly gatherings in Bangladesh – especially in a city like Dhaka, where animals are often kept behind closed doors and public spaces are not always welcoming to them. For one day, the park became a rare open arena where pets were not just permitted, but truly celebrated.
What made the atmosphere unique was its emotional range. There was playful chaos – dogs in costumes, cats peeking out from carriers, children running beside their pets – but there was also tenderness: rescued animals meeting potential families, owners gently calming anxious companions, and volunteers patiently explaining how to care for animals with kindness and respect. These layers created a quiet narrative beneath the carnival’s joyful energy.
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The event also carried a subtle but powerful social message. Through the adoption drive and petition board, it encouraged responsible pet ownership and advocated for more inclusive public spaces for animals. In a country where awareness of animal welfare is still evolving, Paw Carnival became more than a festival – it became a platform for empathy, education, and change.
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What made Paw Carnival especially powerful to me as a photographer was the emotional texture beneath the festive surface. In a city like Dhaka, where pets are often confined indoors and animal-friendly spaces are limited, this gathering created a rare moment of freedom and visibility. I witnessed nervous animals slowly relax in their owners’ arms, excited dogs pulling their humans toward new smells and sounds, and rescued pets being gently introduced to the possibility of a new home. These were not staged moments – they were small acts of trust, patience, and love unfolding in real time.
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For me, Paw Carnival was not just about colourful scenes or cute costumes. It was about witnessing how deeply animals are woven into human lives, offering comfort, structure, and joy in a crowded, fast-moving city. My photo series is an attempt to preserve those quiet connections – the way a hand rests on a fur-covered back, the way two beings move through a space together, no longer alone.
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