Hyderabad, November 11, 2025: HyCan 2025, Hyderabad’s biggest pet show, concluded on Sunday evening at OM Convention Centre, Narsingi, with an overwhelming response from pet lovers. Over 8,000 visitors attended the two-day event, which showcased more than 500 dogs, 100 cats, as well as an Aqua Zone featuring 80–100 varieties of rare fish. Organised by the Hyderabad Canine Club, HyCan 2025 was not just a pet exhibition but a platform that combined awareness, education, entertainment, and national recognition.
A historic highlight of this year’s edition was the inaugural Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National K9 Bravery Awards 2025, instituted by Rashtriya Raksha University – Commando K9 Academy in association with the Hyderabad Canine Club.
The first-ever Bravery Awards for Dogs were presented during the two-day show. K9 Mitu of the National Security Guard (NSG) was given the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Supreme Bravery Medal, the highest award for detecting a live explosive payload on a drone during the high-risk national mission, Operation Sindoor. Awards were presented across thirteen categories, with each K9 hero receiving a Certificate of Bravery and a Medal of Honour, while handlers received a commemorative memento.
The awards were established to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India, and to honour India’s bravest working dogs from the nation’s elite security forces and state police units. The ceremony was conducted with full dignity and patriotic fervour, celebrating courage, sacrifice, and national service. The event was graced by distinguished guests, including Col. B. S. Rao (Retd.), Director Security, Rashtriya Raksha University, who served as the Chief Guest; Col. Bharani (Retd.), Microsoft Security Head; Col. Swapnil, Commander from RT Centre; Mr Philip Butt, Dean, RRU Commando K9 Academy; and Ms Shilpa Reddy, Mrs India, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and sustainability advocate. Their presence added gravitas to the ceremony, and they jointly felicitated the K9 heroes and their handlers.
The other awards include K9s recognised for their exemplary service included K9 Zakary of NSG, who received the Rescue and Recovery Medal; K9 Ranko of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), who received the Anti-Narcotics Valour Medal; K9 Zulie of SSB, who received the K9 of the Nation Medal; and K9 Babu of the Border Security Force (BSF), who was honoured with the Border Sentinel Medal. Additionally, K9 Vimla and K9 Bagha of the Chhattisgarh Police received Honourable Mentions for Forensic and Investigative Excellence. Telangana Police and BSF commendations were presented to K9 Maya, K9 Rocky, K9 Shyam, and K9 Babita. These extraordinary K9s and their handlers have contributed to counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics, border safeguarding, rescue operations, and high-risk intelligence missions, reinforcing that courage comes not from size but from spirit and selfless devotion.
In his address, Col. B. S. Rao remarked that true bravery is not the absence of fear but the courage to act for the greater good despite it. He stated that these K9 heroes embody discipline, loyalty, and unwavering service to the nation. The ceremony concluded with a stunning live demonstration by the Sashastra Seema Bal K9 Unit, showcasing operational detection and obedience skills, receiving an emotional standing ovation from the audience.
HyCan 2025 also served a strong public purpose by introducing the “Safe With Dogs” campaign, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Hyderabad Canine Club, the Government of Telangana, and GHMC. The initiative aims to reduce fear and misconceptions about dogs, promote safe interactions in public spaces, and build a dog-friendly city. GHMC onboarded pet-friendly cafés, shops, and establishments that participated in awareness workshops at HyCan 2025 and were awarded a GHMC-endorsed “Safe With Dogs” Partner Certificate and sticker for their premises as a mark of responsible commitment.
Apart from the awards and awareness initiatives, HyCan 2025 also hosted All-Breed Championship Dog Shows judged by six international judges, a Cat Championship, an International Dog Grooming Competition, and grooming seminars and workshops for cats and dogs, along with the unique aquatic display zone. The event celebrated pets, people, and purpose, creating an emotional and unforgettable experience for participants and visitors alike.