Meet these animal rights advocates, the voice of the voiceless

As we travel through our cities and towns, it’s hard not to notice the plight of animals struggling on the streets. We see dogs that were once pets, now wandering abandoned. Sometimes, we come across cows eating plastic waste, desperately searching for food in places where it doesn’t belong. Retired donkeys, once used for labour, are frequently left to fend for themselves. These scenes show us the harsh reality of countless animals, who live a life of hardship and neglect.

However, since humans share this world equally with all animals, ensuring their rights and wellbeing is an important issue to address. A lot of us are animal lovers; we may have donated to an animal NGO a few times or even fed stray dogs or birds in our neighbourhood regularly. But animal welfare goes much deeper than that. It is a life-long endeavour to act, help and support the voiceless animals, especially those that are wounded, abandoned or worse. Animal rights advocates understand that animal welfare is intricately connected with nature, human welfare and the planet as a whole. Since everything is interconnected, animal welfare translates to the overall wellbeing of a world that we co-habit.

Today, there are several animal rights advocates across the globe who are working tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate and protect animals, often at great risk. They face umpteen threats and challenges but continue to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves, no matter what the cost. Their dedication brings relief to many animals and inspires millions of people across the world.

World Animal Welfare Day is celebrated on October 4th each year. This special day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of animal welfare and promoting better living conditions for them. It aims to highlight animals’ struggles and encourages people to take action to improve their lives.

On this day, join us as we honour the efforts of those who work for the protection and benefit of animals and in doing so, encourage us to treat all living beings with kindness.

Gauri Maulekhi

Gauri Maulekhi is an animal rights advocate from India. She is the trustee of People for Animals (PFA), which is the largest animal welfare organisation in the country. Maulekhi has led many successful campaigns towards animal protection, including her fight against the sacrificial slaughter of cattle. Her dedication to animal rights has helped raise awareness about what is actually defined as right treatment towards animals.

Over the years, Maulekhi has received several awards for her work in the animal rights field. Her commitment to improving the lives of animals has inspired many people to join the cause as well. Through her efforts, she continues to advocate for more compassionate treatment of animals.

Ingrid Newkirk

Ingrid Newkirk is a prominent British-American animal rights activist, and is best known as the co-founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The 75-year-old’s work has brought global attention to innumerable animal cruelty issues, from factory farming to the use of animals in entertainment. Under Newkirk’s leadership, PETA, that was founded in 1980, has launched hundreds of campaigns, many of which focus on encouraging people to adopt a more humane lifestyle.

Manavi Rai

Manavi Rai is an Indian animal rights advocate and the founder of Udgam Charitable Trust in New Delhi. During the pandemic, Rai came across a wounded dog who got no medical help from the local NGOs; trying to help the injured dog was the stark event that left a mark on her, making her leave her job in Canada to dedicate her life to advocating for animals in India. Since, Rai has rescued several animals in need and is known as the mother of 88 dogs and has several other animals under her care. She gained widespread attention after she and a group of women rescued three puppies trapped in a car in Delhi—despite the challenges and 6-7 hours of effort, they successfully managed to free the puppies.

Peter Singer

Peter Singer is an Australian ethical and political philosopher whose work has greatly influenced the animal rights movement in his country and in the world. He is the co-founder of Animals Australia and founder of the NGO, The Life You Can Save. He has also written a book, Animal Liberation, which is considered as an influential work in the field of animal ethics—the book argues for the equal consideration of animal interests. Singer’s ideas challenge us to rethink our treatment of animals and advocate for their rights. He actively engages in public discussions and debates about animal welfare across the globe.

His approach has inspired many to follow suit and contribute to the fight against animal cruelty.

Zabi Khan

Zabi Khan is a young animal rights advocate from Hyderabad, India. He runs an NGO called ‘A Place to Bark’ which rescues and rehabilitates injured and abandoned animals, especially breed dogs. Khan began volunteering with animal welfare and rescue NGOs in Hyderabad very early in life, and his efforts led to the forming of an animal shelter inside his college campus. Today, his NGO has rehabilitated and re-homed over 3,000 animals according to World Records India. Khan is known for his work that includes providing medical assistance to injured animals and rescuing those in terrible conditions. He believes in the philosophy that one doesn’t have to be very empathetic to understand that all living creatures hurt equally and that compassion is the least we can all carry as a virtue.

Ed Winters

Ed Winters is a British animal rights advocate, best-selling author, vegan educator and co-founder of the UK-based animal rights organisation, Surge. In early 2016, he launched his YouTube channel in which he put videos of him conducting street interviews with people about the ethics of eating animals. Winters also launched a documentary on the harsh realities of UK’s land animal farming, titled Land of Hope and Glory. In what is a blazing path of activism and action, Winters has since toured several universities across the UK, screened his documentary film and advocated for veganism and better treatment of animals. In 2020, he went a step further in his commitment towards animals and started a sanctuary for rehabilitating rescued and injured animals in England.

Altab Hossain

Altab Hossain is an animal rights advocate from India who is on a mission to spread compassion for animals. He engages with students through lectures at schools and colleges, organises outreach programs and creates educational videos to promote veganism. He has collaborated with several international activists like Lacey Lee Edwards, Mandy Vara and George Martin on the subject. He is known for his protests against animal sacrifice and has saved many animals from abuse in this manner. Currently, he educates people regarding vegan fitness and shares delicious plant-based recipes, inspiring others to adopt a compassionate lifestyle.

Saengduean “Lek” Chailert

Saengduean “Lek” Chailert is a renowned animal rights advocate and entrepreneur from Thailand. She is the founder of Thailand’s Elephant Nature Park and the Save Elephant Foundation—both organisations committed to rescuing and protecting elephants. Often referred to as Thailand’s Elephant Whisperer, the 62-year-old has devoted her entire life to fighting animal abuse and championing animal rights.

Sally Varma

Sally Varma works with the Humane Society International India and is an animal rights advocate known for her animal rescue and welfare activities in Kerala. Varma has been recognised for her work in the field of animal welfare by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. She works tirelessly to sensitise the public on animal agriculture and its relation to climate change. She is also actively involved in promoting plant-based food as a sustainable choice of living.

Genesis Butler

All of 17 years of age, Genesis Butler is a young and passionate American animal rights advocate who has already made a significant impact in the world of animal welfare. At the young age of 12, she founded the non-profit organisation, Genesis for Animals—it aims to help rescue and care for abused and neglected animals. Butler’s work also includes raising awareness about animal cruelty and promoting veganism. She proves that even at a young age, one can make a significant difference in the lives of animals.

Anuradha Sawhney

Anuradha Sawhney is a prominent Indian animal rights advocate. She is the former head of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in India. Through her illustrious career, Sawhney has rescued and rehabilitated innumerable animals as well as advocated for stronger animal protection laws. Under her leadership, PETA has made significant strides in animal welfare in India. Her contributions have had a positive impact on both, animals and the animal rights movement in India. Sawhney says, “Animal welfare recognizes the intrinsic value and sentience of animals. It works to prevent animal cruelty and suffering because, as Mahatma Gandhi famously said, ‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’”

Arvind

Arvind is a young animal rights activist from Tamil Nadu, India, who advocates the benefits of veganism. He uses social media as a platform to spread awareness about the advantages of a vegan lifestyle and the importance of protecting animals and their rights. Through his frequently posted content, Arvind aims to reach a wide audience, encouraging them to be compassionate towards animals and make informed dietary choices.

Meet Ashar

Meet Ashar is an Indian lawyer and animal rights advocate who serves as a manager at PETA India and specialises in cruelty response projects. He teaches and gives lectures on animal rights and animal laws, sharing his expertise through a certificate program in animal protection laws. As a legal advisor in PETA’s Cruelty Case division, Ashar works tirelessly to enforce animal laws and provides training on animal protection. His dedication towards animals by educating the citizens shows his commitment to creating a compassionate world.

These remarkable individuals have played and continue to play an important role in advocating animal rights and welfare in the world. Their work not only improves the lives of the voiceless but also inspires others to join the movement towards a more compassionate and just world for all living beings.