India, April 30 -- Having been a pet mom for as long as she can remember, actor Richa Chadha has always championed rescuing and adoption of strays. On Adopt a Shelter Pet Day (April 30), she says, "I have never bought a pet. I have always adopted strays." Her own feline babies, Jugni and Kamli, also came into her life through adoption; one a breeder rescue and the other a kitten from a friend's cat's litter. Recalling her first pet, she shares, "It was a black indie stray called Kalu in my house in Delhi. He was a beautiful dog." While she feels that each pet animal deserves a loving home, Richa makes a fierce case for street animals. "Strays are very hardy, especially dogs in India. They know how to survive in the habitat. If you can, rescue a stray (cat or dog) and take care of it while giving it enough independence so you also don't feel the burden," she shares. At the same time, the 39-year-old also underlines the importance of awareness and responsibility when it comes to choosing pets. Pointing to how climate plays a crucial role, Richa says, "Sometimes people are looking for an intelligent dog, so they get a husky. But it's native to Siberia. If you're living in a tropical city such as Delhi or Mumbai, it gets rather difficult (for the animal). You have to evaluate where you live." On a personal note, Richa says that her fondest memories of her cats are from when she was expecting her daughter, Zuneyra in 2024. "My cats were very friendly with me during my pregnancy. But now, they are around the baby only when she's asleep. They get scared of little children who can be unpredictable, and cats don't like that," she smiles....