India, Feb. 17 -- The string of red and pink paper hearts festooning the blue gate gives a cheerful look to an otherwise nondescript setting. Inside the gate are more hearts, dangling from the cages of animals and glued to chairs, tables and other furniture. Colourful paper wreaths and flowers are secured to the lone bamboo pole standing at the centre of a small open ground.

This is Freedom Farm, a shelter for rescued domestic animals. The 65 residents of this shelter, including dogs, cats, donkeys and a goat, are all dressed in their colourful Sunday best to celebrate the 'Meet Your Match' event, organised by the Citizens For Animal Protection (CAP) which runs the shelter.

The dominant colour for the evening is red. The hues of the set...