A Padma Shri nominee (2021), Dr. Mala  Mattha has been rescuing injured animals like dogs, cows, camels, and birds for 20+ years. During COVID-19, she fed 1,000+ stray animals daily. Her initiatives include distributing radium collars, water bowls, sparrow houses, and recycled dog shelters besides spreading awareness about animal rights.

A hardcore Animal Rights Activist, Dr. Mala Mattha is the Founder of the Animal Protection Society, Udaipur and a dedicated advocate for animal welfare. She serves as a member of the Animal Cruelty Prevention Committee and the ABC Monitoring Committee. Recognizing her efforts, the Animal Welfare Board of India has honored her with the post of Honorary Animal Welfare Representative of Udaipur.

The Animal Protection Society, Udaipur, was established with the mission of rescuing animals from nearby villages. Dr. Mattha emphasizes that while cities have adequate facilities for animal care, rural areas severely lack awareness and resources, causing immense suffering to animals. To bridge this gap, the Animal Protection Society works tirelessly within a 200 km radius to rescue and rehabilitate animals, with dogs and cows as their major rescues.

Dr. Mattha states that Animal Protection Society is the only NGO in Udaipur that rescues camels too. They have successfully rescued 10 to 12 camels, out of which three have been adopted, while the remaining ones are being treated in Jodhpur.

Apart from this, the NGO also rescues parrots, pigeons, peacocks, pigs, donkeys, and other domestic birds and animals. Additionally, they also help wild animals in collaboration with wildlife authorities after obtaining the necessary permissions.

Animal Welfare Activist Dr. Mala Mattha envisions expanding her rescue efforts beyond the current 200 km radius, aiming to establish animal shelters across Rajasthan. Her goal for the next 10 years is to ensure that no animal is left without treatment by creating small shelters and dispensaries for stray animals all over Rajasthan.

Dr. Mattha’s relentless efforts have earned her several awards, including:

2021—Nominated for the prestigious Padma Shri Award for her contributions to animal welfare.

2022—Felicitation by the District Collector of Udaipur.

Acknowledging the backbone of her NGO, Dr. Mattha expresses gratitude towards Animal Aid, an organization that has significantly supported them. Their facilities, veterinarians, and para-veterinarians ensure that every rescued animal receives proper treatment. Regardless of the number of animals rescued in a day, 80-90% of them recover fully under their care.

Animal Protection Society Founder Dr. Mala Mattha and her team have launched several initiatives to enhance animal safety and well-being. These include:

Radium Collars for Dogs and Cows on Highways— It helps prevent road accidents by making animals visible to drivers at night.She also advises drivers to reduce their speed at night to avoid collisions with stray animals.

Water Bowl Initiatives & Jal Jeevan Mission—To ensure access to clean water for animals, especially during summers.

Over 3,000 to 4,000 sparrow houses have been placed across Udaipur.

Dog Houses are made from recycled Sintex tanks to provide shelter.

Warm beds for puppies are crafted from old sacks filled with cotton to protect them from extreme winter conditions.

Dr. Mala Mattha has been actively involved in animal rescue for the past 20 years, though the Animal Protection Society was officially registered only three and a half years ago. Her compassion for animals was deeply inspired by her father, who used to bring home sick animals and nurse them back to health.

Her dedication became even stronger during the COVID-19 pandemic, when stray animals suffered due to the closure of restaurants and cafes. While many organizations stepped up to support humans, animals were largely ignored. Recognizing this, Dr. Mattha and her team began cooking meals for over 1,000 animals, distributing food every morning and evening. At the time, her NGO was not yet registered, but as their work expanded, they encountered legal challenges, prompting formal registration.

Padma Shri nominee Dr. Mala Mattha was born and raised in Udaipur. She completed her schooling at St. Teresa’s Senior Secondary School and pursued her graduation from Sikkim Manipal University. She later completed her higher education at Jodhpur National University and earned a Ph.D. in Hospital Management from JNU.

Inspired by her father’s work, she gradually became deeply attached to animals. Her dedication to her mission led her to make a bold personal decision—she chose never to marry to ensure her social commitments would remain unhindered.

Dr. Mattha credits Sanjay Singh Thakur as a true inspiration in her life. He has played a crucial role in resolving animal cruelty cases in Udaipur and has always been a reliable supporter during difficult times.

For Dr. Mattha, a person is not recognized by their clothing but by how they treat animals. She resonates deeply with the quote, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." She believes that a nation's true greatness is reflected in its compassion for animals, and the way a society treats its animals is a direct reflection of its moral values and progress.

Dr. Mattha has had to face hardships in her work even from her home. When she first dedicated herself to animal rescue, her family opposed her decision. She also faced life-threatening situations—most notably, when she rescued a pig from a gang involved in animal cruelty, she received violent threats from the perpetrators. She recalls uninvited individuals arriving at her home with rods and hockey sticks, but over time, she has learned how to deal with such dangers.

Dr. Mattha urges people to place at least one water bowl outside their homes for animals, which can be easily purchased for ₹300-₹400. She encourages using old cooler tubs, earthen pots, and recycled materials to provide water for stray animals.