Breaking out of the stereotypical image of a police officer, Senior Police Inspector of MHB Borivali West Police Station, Sudhir Kudalkar, is contributing in building a whole new image for the Mumbai Police. Known to be an efficient and strict police force in the country, Mumbai Police is known for its no-nonsense attitude and mercenary style of dealing with criminals, especially those of the underworld. Movies like Aap Tak Chhappan have highlighted such officers who do not think twice to address any doubts with bullets.

However, there are also officers like Sudhir Kudalkar in its fold, who does not think twice about helping stray animals and pulling up humans for any cruelty towards them.

Indian Masterminds spoke to Mr. Kudalkar to get details about his work for stray animals, in order to highlight how a hard cop can disguise a softer side inside him, but bring it out in an instant to help voiceless fellow beings in distress.

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ANIMAL LOVERS’ FAVOURITE COP

In Mumbai, Senior Police Inspector Sudhir Kudalkar is the go-to person for all animal lovers, rescuers and feeders. Whether it’s for help in any case of cruelty towards animal or facing harassment for feeding street animals, he is the person everyone calls or tags on social media SOS posts. The reputation seems to have preceded him in going beyond Mumbai to other parts of Maharashtra and even to other parts of the country. “I get calls for help from animal rescuers and feeders from Delhi, Haryana also,” he said.

THE PAL INITIATIVE

His formal induction into the animal welfare field happened about three years back, during the first Covid lockdown. Disturbed by the sights of street animals suffering and dying due to lack of food and water, he brought together a section of feeders, rescuers, volunteers and activists and ensured passes for them so that they could go to the streets of Mumbai to feed and take care of the stray animals. Their work soon got noticed and inspired more people to join the cause. And, thus, Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) was born, an organised network of like-minded people to help stray animals in distress.

“I formed 30 WhatsApp groups, having 7000+members in total, in the name of PAL, to provide timely updates of each case, from the rescue of an animal to its treatment and rehabilation,” Mr. Kudalkar told Indian Masterminds.

24X7 LEGAL ASSISTANCE

PAL Legal Team was also formed consisting of lawyers and legal advisors for the legal issues related to animal welfare. A team of 25 advocates provides free legal assistance 24×7 for issues like housing society creating problems for pet owners or harassing stray animals living in its vicinity, any obstruction to feeding stray animals, etc. This encourages animal lovers to do more for animals and fight back against cruelty towards the strays.

To ensure speedy medical help to the stray animals, another intervention was made. “We coordinated with medical facilities to enable admissions of strays and getting timely updates about their health status from them. We also coordinated with multi-specialty vet clinics for help in getting surgeries of stray animals done, like spaying, neutering and other surgical interventions. Transparency is maintained with regard to the funds raised from the group members for each such case,” Mr. Kudalkar said.

RUSHING HELP TO THE VOICELESS

Till now, PAL has helped a staggering number of stray animals in Mumbai and beyond.

• 700+ injured stray animals from entire Mumbai and suburbs admitted into medical facilities in last 12 months.
• Rehabilitation of more than 30+ special needs, senior, visually and hearing impaired strays in shelters.
• Initiated sterilization drive at Konkan, covering Ratnagiri, Malvan and neighboring areas.
• From April 2021, Shirdi feeding drive started, feeding 200+ dogs every day.
• Formation of feeding and rescuing group in Gujarat
• PAL radium and water bowl project was initiated to help animal lovers protect the strays from vehicle accident through reflective collars and to set up specific drinking water spots for them.
• Creating awareness of the need for sterlisation to control stray population.
• More than 1200+ calls for medical emergencies attended to.
• Facilitated adoption of 60+ animals with proper procedure into loving homes.
• 139+ legal issues solved with the help of PAL Legal Team

HOME FOR SENIOR AND BLIND STRAYS

Noting that the most vulnerable on the streets are the senior and the blind animals, a PAL shelter home for old, injured and blind animals is under construction. “Where without any charge, they will be kept and taken care of. If this can be done in a city like Mumbai, where space is a constraint, other cities can also implement it by forming a similar platform like ours to help the strays,” Mr. Kudalkar said.

HONOUR FROM THE GOVERNOR

Mr. Kudalkar’s work for animals has been appreciated and honoured by the Governor of Maharashtra, Mr. Bhagat Singh Koshyari, in an Appreciation Letter, wherein his commendable service to the voiceless has been praised.

The officer has also received an appreciation letter from the Animal Welfare Board of India, Delhi, and was the recipient of the Spandan National Award of Voice of Voiceless.

His work was also recognised by the Police Commissioner of Mumbai in an official function, who said that the senior inspector serves as a motivational force and encourages the community to serve the voiceless. Not just the Commissioner, others in the police department also hold a similar view. Mr. Kudalkar told Indian Masterminds, “My seniors tell me that my work for stray animals is bringing a good name for Mumbai Police and is helping in bringing the police and the community come closer together.”