Srinagar, April 14 -- Suraya Sartaj begins her day knowing that no two cases will ever look the same.

Kashmir's growing pet culture brings a steady stream of first-time owners into clinics, with questions about care, prevention, and responsibility.

That shift has made veterinary practice more visible and demanding, placing doctors like her at the centre of a changing relationship between people and animals.

A BVSc and AH graduate, Suraya works closely with companion and small animals, handling everything from routine vaccinations to complex medical cases.

Her patients range from kittens and puppies to birds, rodents, and even injured snakes. Each case calls for close observation and quick judgement, where small behavioural changes oft...