Have you ever fallen for the baby schema effect? It happens when human beings see cute baby animals—like a tiny bunny with fluffy ears and wide eyes. And you instantly feel like going, ‘Awww’. This isn’t because you particularly adore a creature that eats carrots and breeds as though the world would run out of rabbits if it didn’t produce enough offspring. But you feel a rush of gentle affection anyway. Research has shown that when we see baby animals, our brains release a neuro-transmitter called dopamine. Known as a happy hormone, dopamine is also released when you play video games, get a lot of love on Instagram or eat a chocolate chip skillet cookie straight from the pan.

However, unlike games, reels and sugar binges, a living creature also comes with its share of responsibilities which can overshadow the cute quotient rather quickly. The image of puppy or kitten for company sounds wonderful. But what happens when your mental support animal turns out to be nothing like the ones you saw on Youtube? What if your animal refuses to play the plastic cup challenge, eats your most expensive pair of shoes and only wishes to do his business at 2am? How do you ensure your companion animal brings to your home the kind of joy you imagined and none of the horrors of pet parenting? In this episode, we get to discover these answers with conservationist and co-founder of Wildlife SOS Kartick Satyanarayan. A parent to a variety of animals himself, Satyanarayan guides us through the skills and steps required to bond with any creature.

This episode is a comprehensive guide for anyone who wishes to reap the inherently peaceful effects of the natural world but without landing themselves into shit (pun intended). Whether you want to be a pet parent, already are one, or simply want to enjoy wildlife without having one in your own space—tune in and learn how to receive a whole lot of love without ever having to ask for it.

Produced By: Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Recording & Mixed By: Kapil Dev Singh