Kalaivanan Ravichandran

Soft-hearted president and founder of Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM), Kalaivanan Ravichandran is a proud pet parent who hopes for all strays to find a home as his dog, Baby, has. For over 15 years, he has been feeding abandoned animals, volunteering at Persatuan Haiwan Malaysia before committing himself fully to SAFM, an NGO dedicated to saving strays from the streets and from abuse.

Under Kalaivanan’s leadership, SAFM has implemented numerous innovative programs to address the root causes of animal suffering. One such solution is the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program, which humanely controls the population of stray animals while allowing them to live peacefully in their communities. Kalaivanan has also established pet food banks and medical aid programs to support pet owners who struggle to care for their animals during difficult times. When Malaysia was hit by devastating floods, he and his team led rescue missions to save stranded animals and provide aid to affected families, ensuring that no one—human or animal—was left behind.

Although his wins are in the restored wellbeing of animals, Kalaivanan’s extraordinary contributions have won him several accolades – among them, the title of Hero Pandemik for his efforts in supporting stray animals during COVID-19 and the APJ Abdul Kalam Award of Young Servant that celebrates young leaders who have made significant contributions to society.

Beyond rescue and relief, Kalaivanan advocates tirelessly for the 2015 Animal Welfare Act, pushing for better enforcement and harsher penalties for those who abuse animals. His advocacy has led to several high-profile legal cases, bringing justice to animals who have been cruelly mistreated and inspiring masses to take on his mantle.

Making an impact is about having empathy and recognising the effect one can have when they choose to act with courage and conviction. What I’ve learned is that compassion and practical solutions can go hand-in-hand and together, they go a long way.