On People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA) 18^th anniversary (12 January), singer-songwriter Ankur Tewari and Sony Music India released a new music video dedicated to the group starring adopted cats.

All the featured felines were either rescued from the street or adopted from an animal shelter, not purchased and their guardians are the winners of the recent Billi Ka Bachcha video Contest, which invited people to send in video clips showing their companions playing, snuggling, and otherwise being adorable. The aim of the video is to encourage the public to adopt homeless animals in need rather than supporting cruel pet stores and breeders.

"What better gift than a video showing cats rescued from dire situations now playing in their permanent, loving homes?" says PETA Associate Director of Celebrity and Public Relations Sachin Bangera. "We're grateful to Ankur Tewari and Sony Music India for encouraging the adoption of homeless cats through this music video."

Anjana Devraj, head of Sony Music India's Kids' Division, says, "This was an extremely unique initiative, and we are proud to be associated with PETA. We are encouraged by the participation in the contest, and the video looks extremely adorable. All the cats being featured are rescued cats. We hope you enjoy watching the video as much as we enjoyed creating it!"

Tewari adds, "I have always had cats as pets since childhood, and they formed a big part of me growing up. 'Billi Ka Bachcha' came to me naturally, as all my cats were from the street. There's a kind of innocence that's common between kittens and kids that binds them together. 'Billi Ka Bachcha' explores that bond."

Homeless dogs and cats across India fight for their lives on the streets. Many go hungry, are killed by vehicles, incur broken bones or infected wounds, or are abused by cruel people, while countless others languish in animal shelters. PETA, whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to abuse in any way" – urges everyone to adopt homeless animals from a shelter or the street and never buy them from pet stores or breeders, which contribute to the animal-homelessness crisis by encouraging impulse purchases that lead to abandonment.