Voices for the Voiceless: Sneha Shrestha Reflects on Her Path as Nepal’s Notable Animal Rights Advocate

Sneha Shrestha is a superhero for animals in Nepal and the visionary founder of Sneha’s Care. The organization serves as a haven for farm animals and community dogs, shielding them from all forms of cruelty. While her organization, Sneha’s Care, now holds a significant presence in Nepal, its humble beginnings tell a story of passion and perseverance.

Sneha’s influence extends far beyond the borders of Nepal, garnering appreciation from animal lovers worldwide. Her journey, marked by unwavering dedication, is not just a local success but a global inspiration. In an exclusive interview with Meanwhile in Nepal, Sneha Shrestha generously shares insights into her remarkable path, offering a profound perspective on the transformative impact she has had in the noble cause of animal welfare.

1. What inspired you to become an advocate for animal rights, and how did your passion lead to the establishment of Sneha’s Care?

My journey as a passionate advocate for animal rights and the visionary behind Sneha’s Care, an organization dedicated to shielding farm animals and community dogs from abuse and cruelty is very different. Today, my enthusiasm for animal welfare has resonated globally, earning the trust and admiration of like-minded individuals and organizations. But, my voyage into animal advocacy was sparked by a profound connection with Zara, a puppy I initially purchased with hesitancy. Zara’s unwavering loyalty and affection transformed her into more than just a dog; she became my cherished family. Tragically, Zara fell victim to poisoning, by one of my neighbors, an event that shook me to my core and inspired a profound commitment to defend animals.

This tragedy led me to notice the suffering of community dogs, prompting me to start taking care of the injured animals in the community. As soon as I started seeing how difficult it is, to struggle back in the streets, and there are very few people who are really concerned about these innocents. I couldn’t hold myself back and I sold my home to create a shelter, extending a warmth of compassion to a variety of animals, not just community dogs. Recognizing the broader implications of my actions, I embraced a vegan lifestyle to protest against cruelty in all its forms.
Today, Sneha’s Care stands as a safe home for more than 200 animals including the community dogs and farm animals. Zara’s memory continues to inspire me, reflected in the diverse animal welfare initiatives undertaken by Sneha’s Care. From raising public awareness to advocating for national legislation, I believe in instilling compassion for all creatures and fostering a profound belief that every life matters.

2. Can you share the story behind starting Sneha’s Care and the initial challenges you faced in promoting animal welfare in Nepal?

As I have already mentioned that embarking on the journey that led to the establishment of Sneha’s Care was a transformative experience driven by personal tragedy and a deep sense of responsibility for community animals in need. The devastating loss of Zara, poisoned by a neighbor, ignited a passion and commitment within me to advocate for the welfare of animals who were being abused and ignored.
The initial challenge lay in transforming this personal grief into a meaningful impact on a broader scale. The realization that even within my own home, animals faced danger prompted a critical examination of the status of community dogs in Nepal.

One of the primary challenges was the societal perception of animals as voiceless beings and lack of the concept and understanding regarding animal welfare. Additionally, the financial and logistical challenges of caring for a large number of animals, including paralyzed dogs from hit-and-run incidents, added complexity to the mission.

Sneha’s Care started small but eventually evolved into a significant force for animal welfare. The journey involved personal changes, a shift in lifestyle towards veganism, and a commitment to raising awareness and influencing legislative change. The challenges were immense, but the profound connection formed with animals and the belief that every life matters fueled the resilience needed to overcome obstacles and make a lasting impact.

3. Reflecting on the journey of Sneha’s Care, what achievements are you most proud of in terms of promoting animal rights and welfare?

The major achievements for me isn’t the awards or the recognitions that my organization receives. For me, my major achievements count as my dedicated team has been able to serve more than 20,000 animals in need since 2015. When it comes to promoting animal right and welfare my upmost achievement stands where I am representing Sneha’s Care as the member of the committee formed by the government which aims to stand and take action against the animal cruelties and abuse.

4. How does Sneha’s Care actively engage with the local community to promote awareness and compassion towards animals?

The relationship between promoting animal welfare and working with the community people is directly proportional. Because, cruelty takes place in the community and most often, humans are the ones who are responsible behind this abuse. So, whenever we are treating animals through our mobile treatment, or we are at our mass vaccination and animal birth control campaigns, we take this opportunity, being in the field we educate the local people and aware them about the rabies, treating the minorly injured ones and the like.

5. Sneha’s Care has gained recognition beyond Nepal. How do you leverage this global influence to advocate for broader changes in animal rights and welfare?

At Sneha’s Care, we strategically leverage our global recognition by forming key partnerships, participating in international forums, and engaging in targeted advocacy. Our diplomatic efforts focus on influencing global policies for stronger animal rights. Through impactful storytelling on social media, we build a worldwide community that actively supports our cause. By aligning ourselves as thought leaders, we aim to drive systemic changes and contribute to a more compassionate world for animals globally.

6. How does Sneha’s Care contribute to educating the public about animal welfare, and what initiatives are in place to foster a sense of responsibility towards animals?

We have been running humane education programs in schools and communities that educates about the compassion for animals and plant-based diets. Education isn’t limited to only textbook; we believe in making this upcoming generation more compassionate towards animals. So, we have been providing them an exposure to the farm visits, vegan foods, and much more. Further, taking this in the macro level, we have been lobbying with the government for the formulation of the animal welfare acts and standards, implementation of the existing standards and helping people to know about different forms of animal cruelty which seems normal to them.

7. As a founder, do you have a personal connection with any particular rescued animal or a memorable story that deeply resonates with you?

I tend to develop an instant emotional connection with each and every animal I see. But there are animals that I have rescued has a special space in my heart. The suffering they had gone through and how bravely they fought the suffering and became a warrior inspires me. There was a dog, our team had rescued a case of hit and run. The case such a severe one, where we had to amputate both of his forearms one by one to save his life. He is now one of the most adorable dogs we have ever had. Despite being paralyzed he never feels incomplete or any less than any of the dogs. We named him Tiger, and he reminds of me of my dad who had been paralyzed for years and had the same zeal to live a life.

And there is another dog, we had been reported of him being very aggressive in nature and locals were requesting us to rescue the dog. Later, we came to know, he wasn’t aggressive at all, he was just being protective to 4 little puppies which didn’t even belong to him. And I personally resonate a lot to him because, I have been taking care of these innocent beings like a mother which I didn’t birth. So, we had named this dog Dad. And he is nothing, but a huge pouch of love. And there are so many stories in the shelter, each animal has their own story, and every animal’s story is inspiring.

8. What are the future goals and aspirations for Sneha’s Care, and how do you envision the organization contributing to the broader field of animal rights?

Sneha’s Care envisions a future where we play a crucial role in advancing animal rights nationwide. Our goals include expanding national advocacy efforts, developing innovative solutions for animal welfare, and fostering a compassionate generation through education and awareness programs. We aspire to deepen our engagement with local communities, influence policy changes, and integrate technology for enhanced efficiency. By collaborating with global organizations and participating in impactful initiatives, Sneha’s Care aims to not only elevate its own impact but also contribute significantly to the broader field of animal rights, driving positive change and setting new standards nationwide.

9. How has the local community and government responded to Sneha’s Care, and what level of support do you receive from individuals and organizations in Nepal?

The response from the local community and government to Sneha’s Care has been generally positive and supportive. The local community has shown increased awareness and involvement in animal welfare, through our outreach programs and educational initiatives. Collaborative efforts with the government have resulted in some positive changes in policies related to animal welfare standards, reflecting a growing acknowledgment of the importance of our work. On an individual level, we receive considerable support from compassionate citizens in Nepal who actively engage in volunteering, fostering, and adopting animals from our shelters. However, challenges persist, and there is ongoing work to garner broader support and understanding for animal welfare issues. As Sneha’s Care continues to grow, we are optimistic about the increasing support from individuals, organizations, and the government, fostering a community that values and actively contributes to the well-being of animals in Nepal.

10. How does Sneha’s Care engage in legal advocacy to promote and enforce animal rights, and what improvements do you see in this area?

We’re deeply involved in various areas of animal welfare, working hard to protect their rights. Whether it’s caring for community dogs, ensuring the well-being of farm animals, or advocating for working animals, we’re doing our best to make a positive impact. We know change takes time, but we’re dedicated to creating a world where animals receive humane treatment along with the love and care they deserve. We’ve achieved some important victories, winning two cases in the Supreme Court. In 2019, the court ordered the development of standards for live animal transportation. Another success followed when the court, responding to one of our cases, issued an order to protect and manage abandoned cows. These wins motivate us to continue our mission, ensuring animals are treated with kindness and respect.

11. Balancing compassion for animals with the pragmatic challenges of advocacy can be complex. How do you navigate this balance in your work?

Balancing compassion for animals with the pragmatic challenges of advocacy is at the core of our complex approach. While our advocacy work is driven by deep empathy and a genuine concern for animal well-being, we recognize the imperative of practical solutions to tackle the complex challenges in the field of animal welfare. Strategic planning plays an important role in maintaining this delicate balance. Setting achievable goals, prioritizing impactful initiatives, and optimizing resource allocation enable us to make tangible progress without compromising our compassionate attitude. This involves intertwining practicality into our strategy through collaboration with diverse stakeholders, such as governmental bodies, local communities, and businesses. By engaging in constructive dialogue and understanding practical constraints, we aim to formulate realistic and sustainable solutions, ensuring that our compassionate advocacy remains achievable within the broader context.

12. How do you involve volunteers in your organization, and what role do they play in the dayto-day operations of Sneha’s Care?

We warmly invite both national and international volunteers to actively participate in activities directly benefiting the animals. This includes tasks such as grooming shelter animals, feeding them, preparing vegan meals, taking them for walks, and allowing them to graze in the fields, among other engaging tasks.

13. How do you address misconceptions or resistance from individuals or groups who may not fully understand the importance of animal rights?

Awareness is the master-key. In the context of animal rights, it encompasses various elements aimed at educating individuals, communities, and societies about the significance of treating animals with respect and compassion. For Instance, we recently had been to Jajarkot, and we were very disturbed to know that the concept of animal welfare doesn’t even exist. If a dog bites someone, the locals tend to kill the dog suspecting rabies, and animal birth control isn’t even practiced, they tend to throw the new-born puppies into the rivers. So, you can imagine how these innocent beings has to go through horrific treatments due to lack of awareness. In essence, creating awareness about animal rights involves a comprehensive and integrated approach that utilizes education, storytelling, media, advocacy, community engagement, legal measures, and collaboration to build a more compassionate and informed society.

14. Given your dedication to animal rights, how does Sneha’s Care advocate for and promote the adoption of veganism as a lifestyle choice, and what impact do you believe veganism has on the overall well-being of animals and the environment?

The saddest part is, the concept of veganism is not well flourished in Nepal. We cannot force people to adopt the vegan lifestyle. All we can do is promote it and show the adverse effects and consequences of the non-vegetarian diet on the consumer’s health, well-being, environment, and eventually in the animal welfare.
Talking about the advocacy, we have been running programs in schools and communities where they can learn more about the advantages of the vegan lifestyle. They are also brought closer to the harsh reality how animals are being abused just to meet our demands. We believe that we cannot sustain animal welfare by killing one just to feed another, that’s why we feed vegan food to our shelter animals including dogs too.

Regarding the truth behind the slaughterhouse, ways of transportation of animals, artificial insemination and much more, humans have crossed all their limits and we cannot imagine the pain these animals are compelled to go through just to satisfy the taste buds of human race. The environment is being destructed by the higher demands of animal products. The higher amount of global greenhouse gas emissions to the extinction of the species are a few examples of the environment destructions.

15. Sneha, which means love or affection, is the essence of your organization’s name. How has love played a role in shaping the legacy of Sneha’s Care, both for the animals you rescue and the people you inspire?

Love truly forms the core of Sneha’s Care. My unwavering love for animals propelled me to create this organization. Love isn’t just a concept but an action at Sneha’s Care. It’s seen in the tireless efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide medical care for animals in need, often in severe conditions.

This love extends beyond the animals to the people involved. Employees, volunteers, donors, and supporters are driven by a shared affection for animals, fostering a compassionate community. This unity creates a ripple effect, inspiring others to take action and care for animals in their own spheres.

The legacy of Sneha’s Care is interlaced with stories of love prevailing over adversity. Animals, once neglected or abused, find solace and healing through this love. The organization’s outreach programs and awareness campaigns further spread this message, touching the hearts of individuals and encouraging a more compassionate society. Love serves as the foundation upon which Sneha’s Care stands, shaping its impact on both animals and people, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion and kindness.