My journey is fuelled by the belief that every animal deserves kindness, respect, and protection. Through concerted efforts and collective action, we can create a brighter future for all sentient beings and ensure that they receive the care and compassion they so rightfully deserve.

Nidhi: How has your personal journey influenced your approach to leading the organisation today? Are there any specific values or principles that guide your work and decision-making as the founder?

Dr Vasudevan: At the core of my beliefs is the fundamental value that all lives are equal and deserving of respect and compassion. I firmly reject the notion that some lives are more important than others based on species distinctions. Throughout my journey, I have come to recognise and appreciate the sentience of all living creatures. This realisation has led me to adopt a stance against any form of discrimination among species. I firmly believe that it is hypocritical to profess love and compassion for certain animals while simultaneously participating in the exploitation and mistreatment of others. For instance, I cannot justify loving dogs while accepting the slaughter of chickens for food.

My perspective on animal welfare has evolved beyond societal conditioning and cultural norms. I am committed to challenging and dismantling the ingrained biases that perpetuate speciesism. It is this belief in the equality of all life forms that serves as a guiding principle in my work and decision-making as the Founder of HAS.

I would never accept that animals were meant for humans’ use. Instead, I strive to uphold ethical and moral principles that prioritise the well-being and dignity of all sentient beings. This fundamental ethos shapes the foundation of our organisation and informs every decision we make.

Nidhi: As the founder, could you describe some of the key initiatives or projects/programmes that you’ve led at HAS? Our readers would love to learn about the impact these initiatives had on promoting animal rights.

Dr Vasudevan: As the Founder of HAS, one of the key initiatives that I have led is focused on education and awareness surrounding animal rights. This initiative holds significant importance as it has the power to create a ripple effect unlike any other effort. When we rescue an animal, we only help the animal. When we create awareness about rescuing animals in need, we save many animals. By educating individuals and raising awareness, we aim to change attitudes and mindsets towards animals at large.

From the very early stages of our organisation, education and advocacy have been strong pillars of our work. We believe in empowering individuals to become advocates for animal rights and welfare in their own communities. When individuals approach us with a problem or concern, we not only provide solutions but also educate and involve them in the process. For example, if someone reaches out to us about a litter of puppies in need of assistance, we go beyond simply rescuing and rehoming them. Instead, we empower the individual by teaching them about fostering and other aspects of animal care. This approach not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility towards animal welfare. Ultimately, our goal is to create long-lasting change that benefits both animals and humans alike.

Nidhi: This is really interesting. When you say that it’s crucial for community animals to be sterilised and vaccinated, can you elaborate how it impacts our ecosystem and other key factors that are crucial for the public to know?

Dr Vasudevan: Firstly, sterilisation helps control the population of community animals, such as community dogs and cats. By reducing the number of uncontrolled breeding, we can mitigate issues related to overpopulation, such as competition for resources, spread of diseases, and conflicts with humans. This, in turn, helps maintain a healthier balance within the ecosystem and prevents the suffering of animals due to overcrowding and lack of resources.