GUWAHATI, Sept 23 � After hundreds of votes and careful deliberation by judges from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA),�Matt, whose guardian is a nine-year-old�Zaynab Rahman�of Guwahati and her family, will be crowned the first runner-up of PETA�s second annual��Cutest Indian Dog Alive contest 2013.�
Matt edged out hundreds of other lovable community dogs (dogs from streets and animal shelters) to become a finalist. PETA created the contest to show that the kindest thing that a prospective guardian can do is to adopt a lovable Indian dog from the streets and animal shelters. The winner of the contest is Dusty, whose guardian is Sheetal Nair from Nagpur, and the third-place finisher is Kishi, whose guardian is Shivangi Singh from Pune.
�Matt proves that adopting a dog from the streets or an animal shelter can fill your life with a joy and love that words can�t express,� says PETA CEO Poorva Joshipura. �Although only one dog could win PETA�s contest, all rescued dogs are winners because they have found loving homes.�
�Matt was hit by a car and I was really scared for him. I took Matt to a veterinarian along with my dad and he is now a healthy dog and also my best friend�, says Zaynab.
PETA urges prospective guardians to adopt Indian community animals instead of buying puppies (or kittens) sold in pet stores. Because pedigree dogs are bred for certain exaggerated physical traits, such as long ears or drooping backs, many foreign breeds of dogs suffer from breathing problems, cancer, heart disease, bleeding disorders, skeletal malformation and eye problems. In contrast, Indian community dogs are healthier and more robust than their purebred cousins. Matt will receive a �100 per cent Desi Dog� doggie T-shirt, and Zaynab will receive a �My Dog Is a Rescue� T-shirt. Matt will also be featured in an upcoming issue of�Animal Times, PETA India's magazine for members.