Have you ever wondered why gods like Ganesh and Hanuman have animal faces? Why does Lord Shiva hear every prayer said in Nandi’s ear? Why is Krishna called Gopala, meaning “friend and protector of cows”? Because animals have always been an essential part of our civilization, humans could not imagine their gods without a little element of other living beings.
But as we grew more smart as human beings we started losing the very essence of humanity. Today, the importance of animal safety is questionable. The animal kingdom is already scared of mankind, and the number of abandoned and injured animals is growing daily.
But there is one amusing and ordinary human being who has dedicated her whole life to the cause of animal safety. This lady is so devoted that she didn’t marry because she thought that it might stop her from following her motive of animal safety. Read further to know more about this incredible lady.
Dr. Mala Mattha- The Lady who promised Animal Safety
Dr. Mala Mattha is a 39-year-old remarkable woman with a heart of gold hailing from Udaipur. She has decided to never get married, as she doesn’t want her marriage to divert her from the motive of “Animal safety.”. She is the founder of the “Animal Protection Society,” which has completely taken on the responsibility of Animal Safety and provides these animals with shelter, food, and treatment.
She is a medical professional and is in charge of the Chiranjeevi department at the Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, where she has been working. But her heart was always a little more committed to voiceless beings.
Even with a full-time professional responsibility on her shoulders, she somehow manages time and has been spreading awareness about animal safety for the last fourteen years. Her constant efforts were recognised two years ago when her foundation, “Animal Protection Society,” was registered on September 11, 2021.
She is an honorary welfare representative of the Animal Welfare Board of India in Udaipur District, a member of the district SPCA committee on the Cruelty Act, and a monitoring member of the ABC monitoring committee in Udaipur. She has earned these positions through her perseverance and never-giving-up attitude.
Ensuring Animal Safety since Childhood
Seeing my parents taking care of animals was one such learning experience for me. My father used to bring home stray and injured animals for care. The misery and sadness in those animals’ eyes broke my heart, yet my father’s kind care of animals warmed my heart.
Mala Mattha
Her father’s actions for animal safety instilled love and value for animals in Mala’s heart. As she grew older, she witnessed the cruel treatment of animals. They were abandoned, beaten, and left to die during road accidents. The urge to help them was getting stronger with time. By the age of 25, it had become her passion. Mala started to carve her path on the road named “Animal Safety.”
I was disheartened to see the inhuman treatment of these innocent animals. My values didn’t allow me to ignore the injustice. The unseen sufferings of these innocent animals provoked me to take action and fight against it.
Mala Mattha
Establishing the Safe Home “Animal Protection Society” for Animal Safety
1. Initial Phase of the Journey
In the initial phase of my journey, I was supported by my parents. But I was all alone which made my parents worried about my safety as I used to run to places to rescue animals.
Mala Mattha
Before opening her organisation, Mala rescued many animals, like cows, dogs, and even camels. She also stated that she used to stop local people from harming stray animals, but instead of understanding her plea for animal safety, the people created problems for her and fought back.
Instead of helping me, People filed a police case against me as they thought that my initiative for animal safety was worthless and that these animals were just dirt bags. Then I decided to take legal action against it and registered my organisation.
Mala Mattha
Mala Mattha registered her organisation so that people could understand the worth of her initiative. She also mentioned that after taking this step, people stopped harassing her for helping these animals.
Challenges that She Overcame
1. Problems due to Personal life
When I took the decision of not marrying as it might stop me from working on my motive for animal safety. This decision shocked my parents. They were concerned about my future as a woman because life is always challenging. But I don’t want my personal life to stop me from ensuring the animal safety mission I was on.
Mala Mattha
Mala is a mother who has never given birth. She calls all her rescued animals ‘bacha,’ and it’s clear that her heart is filled with the emotions these stray animals provide. She believes that marriage is not even a necessary element in her life.
She stated that marriage is not the final destination for everyone, and for her, marriage would only serve as a barrier to her heart’s chosen mission. Over time, her parents came to understand that her life was meant for a purpose that not everyone can even conceive of, and now they support her.”
“Her decision to never get married is a sign that her devotion to this cause is unmatchable.“
Even my professional life was adversely affected as I lost my first job due to my habit of interrupting work to rescue animals. I faced termination as a consequence. However, I want to emphasize that the safety and well-being of animals remain my foremost responsibility, and I am unwavering in my commitment to ensuring it.”
Mala Mattha
She also mentioned that she was without a job for almost two years. She recently secured a job, but it comes with the condition that she might have to leave the office abruptly if her mission calls for her to do so. Now, the people at her workplace understand her motives and support her by allowing her to leave to rescue animals.
2. Making People understand the importance of her cause
The biggest challenge was to make people understand that every animal’s life matter and making them realise to show humanity towards animals. People’s senseless hate towards animals is nothing but their opinion which is difficult to change. But I will keep trying.
Mala Mattha
She also shares that people are changing now. There are local people who reach out to them with information about that animal who is in need.
3. Managing Finances
Managing finances alone wasn’t easy but I took the job and spent the money I earned for my animals. There are many expenses such as transportation, food and treatment. Every day, I spend 7000-8000Rs to ensure animal safety.
Mala Mattha
Every month, she rescues 300–400 animals of different varieties, and now her organisation has a social presence through various social media platforms. As their reach is increasing, there are people who understand their mission and are raising funds for animal safety by donating on the organisation’s website. Local people are contributing to our initiative.
4. Risks with Animals
“Initially, I used to feel a little fearful but as I learnt the body language of animals, everything went smoothly. I feel happy to share that in last 14 years, no animal has harmed me.
Mala Mattha
She feels that, no matter how feeble or scary these animals are, they do feel the warmth of the helping hand. We just need to show them pure love and empathy.
Amazingness of the “Animal Protection Society”
As an organisation, we have taken full responsibility for animal safety. We make sure that animals are fed, have shelter and are healthy. We run campaigns and facilitate the adoption of abandoned stray animals. We rescue injured or ill animals. We feed animals during the time of need.
Mala Mattha
The Animal Protection Society is working tirelessly, and till now, every type of animal has been rescued. Mala Mattha has also never refused any animal rescue. In the last two years, the Animal Protection Society has rescued more than 2,500 animals and is still counting.
They also provided first aid to more than 3,500 animals and initiated 100 awareness campaigns for animal safety. Her organisation ran a vasectomy programme for dogs to control their population.
They don’t have any ambulances, so they hire autos or two-wheelers for small animals. Cranes and trunks are hired for big animals like camels and cows. As a team, the Animal Protection Society is also growing. Starting alone, Mala Mattha now has a small team of 10–15 selfless people.
They now have rescue team members. Bhawna Jain, Avichal Gandhi, Raj Singh Bhati, Prerna Bhati, Gaurav Pandey, Kiran Bhavsar, Rukmani Jain, Vijay Jain, Manish Panchal, Naresh Janwa, and Ameya Rakesh Bhavsar are the team members’ names. They all share the same belief that “There is always a way where there is a will.”
Sharing the Joy of Saving the Animals’ Lives
There are many beautiful memories I have made through my organisation. I still remember that one abandoned labrador with her children was adopted by us. When I went to meet her in her new family, she recognised me and showered me with her selfless love. The joy I felt in that moment was out of the world.
Mala Mattha
These animals are like kids to me and I will ensure their safety just the way a mother does. I want to awaken that same love and empathy in people’s hearts through my actions. If people cannot love them at least be human to them.
Mala Mattha
Mala Mattha and her organisation are already working towards the welfare of the animals by making water tanks, feeding animals, and making radium collars for the animals to prevent accidents. She also urges people to give food and water to these innocent animals and not harm them.
Mala Mattha is definitely living her life of purpose and doing a commendable job. The existence of people like her ensures animal safety.
“Being a woman and not getting married and leaving her job just for the welfare of animals, Mala Mattha is a woman of element.”
To know more about her organisation and to help any animal, you can follow her on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
Feature Image- Instagram, Animal Protection Society.org, Mala Mattha
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