How One Veterinarian is Transforming Pet Parenting Through Nature

For Kannagi, the journey to founding Wag-A-Bond was not merely a career choice but a lifelong pursuit of freedom and natural welfare. More importantly it was deeply rooted in her upbringing and a profound connection to the animal kingdom. Growing up in a home where pets were considered family, her foundation was built on the "do what you feel like" philosophy fostered by her education at the Sahyadri School, a Krishnamurthy Foundation institution. This background instilled in her a respect for the natural environment and a resistance to the "manicured" or artificial layouts often imposed on nature.

In 2016, Kannagi stood on her family’s 30-year-old land in Karjat, an untouched stretch of forest and mountains, and felt a moment of absolute certainty: this land was meant for dogs. She decided to build a sanctuary where dogs could be off-leash, safe, and free. Unlike other retreats that provide lists of restrictive rules, Wag-A-Bond was built on the philosophy of slow living and respecting the existing ecosystem. The family has physically planted 70% of the trees there and has never cut any down, ensuring the space remains true to itself.

We became a pet-first forest sanctuary where dogs could run off-leash, be themselves, and reconnect with nature.

Her professional journey took her to New Zealand, where she specialized in anaesthesiology within the field of veterinary science. It was here that she was introduced to the Freedoms of Animal Welfare: freedom from hunger, discomfort, fear, and the essential freedom to behave like a real dog. However, upon returning to India, she found a stark disconnect. The local infrastructure was not animal-friendly, the veterinary field was bogged down by hierarchy, and there was a lack of specialization. “My heart cries when I see owners treating pets as vanity accessories rather than sentient beings with unique instincts and emotions.”

The catalyst for change came through personal tragedy and deep companionship. The loss of her first Doberman puppy, Leo, to a congenital liver defect forced her to confront the dark reality of irresponsible breeding and the lack of ethics in the pet industry. Following Leo, a dog named Yoko became her "anchor and mirror". Watching Yoko struggle with the sensory overload of Mumbai—the honking and vibrations that triggered deep-seated trauma—made Kannagi realize that city life was often heartbreaking for sensitive animals. She realized that "pet-friendly" in the city often meant little more than providing a water bowl, whereas a true pet parent's life revolves entirely around their companion’s routine. Encouraging dogs to explore off-leash and engage with the ecosystem without the pressures of city life became the goal.

Here, your dogs will always be safe. Always be free. Always be allowed to simply be — exactly as they would in nature.

At Wag-A-Bond, the focus is on letting a "dog be a dog". This means allowing them to explore a water body at their own pace, run 5-10 km a day as they are naturally inclined, and sit or roll in the soil whenever they find a spot that suits them. Kannagi, supported by two residential, dedicated staff members Surekha Tai and Maushi, has created an environment where her own dogs Tubby, Pawly, Yin, and Yang can thrive on natural soil.

Today, Kannagi manages her retreat alongside eight cats who "randomly showed up" at her Mumbai residence and found a permanent home with her. Her vision for the future is to see a "Wag" in every metro, rooted in compassion and nature, and perhaps even a seaside retreat where dogs can experience the sand and salt. Ultimately, her story is an invitation for India to move toward ethical pet parenting and to embrace resilient native breeds. She is fostering a deeper bond between pets and their guardians, providing animals with the empathy and freedom they inherently deserve.