Selfless Souls
Senior Police Inspector Sudhir Kudalkar from Mumbai is known as a true hero for animals. While serving at the Borivali Police Station, he has rescued more than 3,500 animals and fought many cases of cruelty. His love for animals grew stronger during the COVID-19 lockdown, when he saw stray dogs and cats struggling to survive. He began carrying food and water in his police vehicle, feeding and helping injured animals during his duty hours. To make animal rescue more organised, Kudalkar started a network called PAL (Pure Animal Lovers). It began as a small WhatsApp group and now has over 7,000 members, including rescuers, animal lovers, lawyers, and police officers. Whenever someone reports a hurt or abused animal, the group acts quickly to save it and take legal action against the abusers. One of his most touching rescues was saving a 120-year-old turtle trapped in a muddy drain. Kudalkar entered the knee-deep water with a torch and rescued the marine animal in a box before consulting forest officials about the best way to return him safely to his natural habitat. His brave act earned him the “Hero to Animals” award from PETA India. His work for animals has also been appreciated and honoured by the Governor of Maharashtra, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, in an Appreciation Letter, wherein his commendable service to the voiceless has been praised.
Q: How did you begin this journey to save street animals?
I, Sr. Police Inspector Sudhir Shantaram Kudalkar, Mumbai Police, come from Kudal, Sindhudurg in the Konkan region. I was raised in a non-vegetarian family, but after I started working for animals, I chose to become a pure vegetarian. Helping animals changed me from the inside. My journey actually began in a very simple way. I always had a soft corner for animals. Whenever I saw a dog limping, hungry, or scared on the road, I would feel its anguish deeply. During COVID, I realised that these animals had no one to speak for them. Many cruelty cases were coming in, animals were starving, and they needed both food and legal protection. So, I started a small WhatsApp group called PAL. I began by helping one animal at a time — feeding, rescuing, getting them treated. Slowly, more people joined, and PAL grew naturally. Today, we are the PURE ANIMAL LOVERS PAL Welfare Foundation, with a WhatsApp community of 15,000+ people helping animals across different places. Nothing was planned — it all came straight from the heart.
Q: You use social media very effectively to create awareness about empathy and to show that police can help animals, too. How did that idea come to you? Has it helped?
I saw many cases where people didn’t know what to do when an animal was in trouble. They had nobody to call. So, I thought — why not use social media to connect everyone? I began posting rescue videos, information, and simple messages like: “If a human needs help, we rush. Why should it be different for an animal?” The response was huge. People started reporting cases, sharing locations, and joining hands. It has helped countless animals — injured dogs, abandoned pets, cats, and even birds. Social media became a lifeline for them. My social media handles are: @sudhirkudalkar, @palfoundation.in
Q: Monkey issues are rising because their habitat is shrinking. Why is no one talking about relocating them? What should be done?
The truth is simple — when forests disappear, animals come into cities. It’s not their fault. But relocation is not a solution; we, at this moment, do not have enough infrastructure. What we need is: proper wildlife rescue centres, cooperation between forest and municipal teams, and more awareness among people. Monkeys, dogs, all animals — they are struggling because humans have captured their space too. We must handle this with planning and compassion.
Q: You’re known as a soft-spoken, kind officer. Has your bond with animals shaped your personality?
Definitely. Animals teach you patience, kindness, and responsibility. When you help an injured dog and watch it wag its tail again, you learn what real happiness is. Being with animals has made me calmer and more grounded. I feel it has helped me become a better person and a better officer.
Q: What’s your message for animal lovers — and for people who dislike or fear animals?
For animal lovers: Keep doing what you’re doing. Every small act matters. Even saving one life is a blessing. Your kindness keeps so many animals alive. Every call you make, every dog you feed, every injured animal you help… it all matters. Sometimes it feels tough, but please don’t lose hope; we are all in this together. Step by step, we are making a big difference. Your compassion is your strength. Keep going. I stand with you. For those who fear or dislike animals: I respect your feelings, and I understand your concerns. Not every animal is friendly, and sometimes people have bad experiences. But what I ask is this: please try to see them as living beings, not as objects to be feared or ignored. People should not beat up dogs if they bark or chase. First, try to understand the reason: Most of the time, they are in pain, hungry, scared, or injured, and that’s why they bark. Just offer them some water or a little food. When their stomach is full, and they feel safe, they calm down on their own and sleep peacefully. Please try to understand them. Most animals react only when they’re scared or hungry. Be patient, be kind. A little understanding can reduce so many problems.
Q. How do you balance your work as a law enforcer with your mission?
For me, there is no confusion at all. I just try to do the right thing — whether it is helping people or saving an animal in trouble. My duty and my empathy work together. And people should remember, animals also have laws to protect them. My uniform is not only for humans — it is for any living being that needs help.
Q: What were your feelings upon receiving PETA India’s Hero to Animals felicitation?
Thank you for asking this. First of all, when I did this rescue, I had no thought of awards or
appreciation. I never work for recognition — I do it and did it because every living being
deserves compassion. When I later heard that PETA India chose me for the “Hero to Animals
Award,” I felt truly humbled. The turtle I rescued was later examined by the forest department, and they confirmed he was about 120 years old - an Indian black turtle. He was trapped in a muddy drain, stuck in weeds, scared, and unable to free himself. I gently lifted him out, kept him safely in a box, and informed the forest department. With their support, the turtle was then released back into its natural habitat.
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