Bhavana Balsaver participated in the Dream Run of the Mumbai marathon this year and last year collected money for an NGO called In Defence Of Animals (IDA). But not many know that she has always been very fond of animals and has had various pets.

Talking about her pet passion, she reveals, "Through my growing years, I always had numerous dogs, then there were some cats, a tortoise, some lovebirds, lots of fish and a squirrel. Every birthday my parents presented me with an animal. They finally had to draw the line when I made a request to keep a pet donkey !!! I haven't yet given up on this desire and someday I hope to have a donkey."

Bhavana's comic roles were quite popular in serials like Dekh Bhai Dekh where she played Shekhar Suman's wife and the English learning student in Zabaan Sambhal Ke. She has also acted in a number of plays in English and Hindi.

Bhavana just cannot contain herself when she says, "I feel the purpose of my existence is to serve animals and I try to do as much as i can for them (my friends often say that if you want a 'good life', you should be born as a dog in bhavana' s house!!!).

When queried about her marriage plans, she quips, " since animals have been and always will be my top priority... it is difficult to find a dulha who will not mind playing second fiddle to my four legged friends!!!" But looks like Karan Shah doesn't mind accompanying her to parties which her four-legged beauties cannot!