Editorial photo #13626621 Human Interest

World Veterinary Day 2026 Observed In Kashmir

A veterinarian writes the name of a Persian pet cat on a prescription before it receives a rabies vaccination on World Veterinary Day 2026 at a veterinary hospital in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 25, 2026. World Veterinary Day is observed annually on the last Saturday of April, and in 2026 it falls on April 25, with the theme ''Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health.'' In recent years, keeping Persian cats as pets has become increasingly popular in the Kashmir Valley, with many households embracing the breed for its beauty, calm temperament, and companionship. According to official data cited by Kashmir News Service (KNS), more than 15,983 cases of pet cat bites were reported at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital between March 2025 and March 2026. (Photo by Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto)