M. Sai Vignesh
Animal Rescuer | Vegan | Social & Animal Activist

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I am M. Sai Vignesh, a 24-year-old Animal Rescuer, Vegan, and Social & Animal Activist.
I have been rescuing injured and sick animals since I was 15 years old, and I have been fortunate enough to rescue hundreds of animals — including dogs, cats, cows, bulls, buffaloes, goats, and more.

I am also a Civil Service aspirant. I develop websites on a freelance basis, and the money I earn goes towards managing the running expenses of the sanctuary.

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2007 - 2018 : How it all started

My connection with animals started during my early childhood as I had seen my grandparents feeding the stray animals. They were my source of inspiration as they always used to tell me that it is important to help others in whatever means possible to bring a ‘meaning to why we were born’.
Bairava was the first companion dog I had in my life. He passed away when I was around 5 years old and it was a heart-breaking event in our lives. My parents decided that we will not get any other companion animal (pet) as losing them is an unimaginably painful. So I started feeding the stray dogs and spending time with them when I was 7 years old. My parents encouraged me to be kind to stray dogs.

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This went on until 2015… That’s when my life took a great turn.

During the Chennai floods of 2015, I saw countless animals injured, frightened, and stranded. I was 15 years old and didn’t know exactly what to do, but my heart told me to help. I rescued several dogs, puppies, and even birds, keeping them all in my home.

I took them to veterinary hospitals and got them treated, soon they recovered but I didn’t know where to keep them, so I started finding adopters for them through social media. I was able to get many dogs and puppies adopted this way.

Soon, I started getting many calls from people reporting injured and sick stray animals (mostly dogs) from various parts of the city. I didn’t have the heart to ignore the calls, I started rescuing such animals and getting them treated in various veterinary hospitals across the city.
The bills from the veterinary hospitals started accumulating, I started requesting for help from my parents, friends and even on social media to settle the bills. Some kind hearted people supported me.
My grandfather started giving his whole monthly pension to me to use for animal rescues till he passed away in the year of 2018.

As I kept rescued dogs in our home, it started triggering issues with neighbours and house owners. We had to shift to over 8 different houses between 2016 and 2019 because of such issues.

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2019 : Start of the Sanctuary
Such struggles made me realize the need to start a sanctuary for the rescued animals, where they can be free and happy.
My dream came to life in 2019 when a kind animal lover named Sivamani sir donated his land to be used for the sanctuary.

I needed money to start the sanctuary from the scratch. My parents helped me by selling our ancestral house and I used the funds to build the initial portions of the sanctuary.
Anu Vidya was an animal activist and a trekker who passed away in the 2018 Kurangani Trekking Fires, her dream was also to build a dog shelter. Anu Vidya's parents sponsored to build a section for the dogs. Our dog house became a permanent home for many paralysed, abandoned and sick dogs.

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One day, I realised something and took a decision that would define our mission:

The sanctuary should be a safe home for all animals, regardless of species — dogs, cats, cows, buffaloes, goats, pigs, donkeys, or horses.

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2020: Chasing the Cattle​

While I first rescued a calf from an illegal slaughter house in the year of 2017, the real chase began in 2020 only.

One sunday morning, 12th January of 2020 to be precise, I saw something which was very heartbreaking… I saw a cow struggling for her life after having her throat slit; I noticed some vibrations in her stomach region. Soon, the men started skinning her and pulled out an unborn calf from her stomach after cutting it open. These men then started cutting the unborn calf into pieces. It was the most horrible thing I ever saw in my life.
I immediately called the Police and filed a case against them.

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For days, I couldn’t sleep. Though the slaughter of pregnant cows and calves is illegal, it was still happening openly. I decided to act. I began gathering information on illegal slaughterhouses, filing cases, and rescuing animals from these places. In the years since, we have rescued hundreds of cows, calves, bulls, and buffaloes from slaughter and trafficking. Some survived, some didn’t — but every life mattered.

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I have faced threats and attacks from those involved in these illegal trades, but I made a promise to myself that I would never stop fighting for the animals. I believe it is our duty as human beings to do our part for them.

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I have filed nearly 100 cases against animal abusers who indulge in animal cruelty. I have faced death threats and even assaults but I will continue to do what I do because we shouldn’t be mute spectators to injustice. I have filed various cases that are pending before Trial Courts, District Courts, High Court and the Supreme Court.

I am trying to do my best in whatever way I can to help animals and the environment – be it rescuing or raising my voice against animal abusers by filing cases or raising awareness about the importance of being compassionate to animals.

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Small changes I have been able to make so far :

• 🐾 Rescued 1000+ injured and sick animals

• 🏠 Found loving homes for 350+ puppies and kittens

• ⚖️ Filed over 100 legal cases against animal cruelty

• 💉 Vaccinated hundreds of stray dogs

• 💧 Installed water bowls across the city for animals during summer

• 📣 Raised awareness on compassion and veganism through social media to foster compassion towards all living beings.