ACF Animal Rescue: A 3000-Word Deep Dive into Pakistan’s Premier Animal Welfare Movement
Introduction
In a country where the plight of animals is often overlooked, ACF Animal Rescue, founded in Karachi, has emerged as a trailblazing sanctuary that uplifts the lives of Pakistan’s most vulnerable animals. Established by Ayesha Chundrigar, a humanitarian and journalist, ACF stands for compassion, healing, and activism. What began as a grassroots initiative has transformed into Pakistan’s largest animal rescue and rehabilitation center, supporting thousands of stray and abused animals through its extensive network of volunteers, veterinarians, caretakers, and donors.
This in-depth profile explores the genesis, mission, impact, and future vision of ACF Animal Rescue as it reshapes the narrative around animal welfare in Pakistan.
Ayesha Chundrigar: A Founder with a Vision
The soul of ACF is its founder, Ayesha Chundrigar—a psychotherapist by training and a humanitarian at heart. Having completed her Master’s in International Journalism from New York University, Ayesha returned to Pakistan determined to create meaningful social impact.
Her early exposure to both suffering and empathy—from seeing injured street animals to systemic neglect—led her to take bold action. She started rescuing animals single-handedly from the streets of Karachi, housing them in temporary shelters. These small-scale efforts would later evolve into a full-fledged foundation known as the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF), Pakistan’s first large-scale animal rescue NGO.
The Birth of ACF Animal Rescue
Launched in 2013, ACF was born out of necessity. Karachi’s streets were teeming with malnourished dogs, abused donkeys, dying cats, and neglected livestock. With no public infrastructure in place for the humane treatment of these animals, ACF positioned itself as a first responder.
ACF began as a single shelter with a few cages and veterinary volunteers. Over the years, it has evolved into a professionally managed animal sanctuary with designated departments for rescue, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and adoption. As of today, ACF has rescued and treated over 30,000 animals.
Core Mission and Values
At its heart, ACF believes in the interconnectedness of all living beings. Its mission includes:
- Rescuing animals from abuse, injury, and neglect.
- Providing shelter, food, and medical care.
- Rehabilitating and rehoming animals when possible.
- Promoting compassion and kindness through education and advocacy.
Unlike traditional shelters, ACF views animals as sentient beings with emotions and the right to a dignified life.
Services and Programs
ACF’s ecosystem is built around a range of impactful services:
1. 24/7 Rescue Operations
ACF runs a 24/7 emergency hotline to respond to rescue calls. The team has trained staff who visit accident scenes, retrieve injured animals, and bring them to the sanctuary. The organization receives hundreds of distress calls weekly, dealing with everything from road accident victims to abused work animals.
2. In-House Veterinary Clinic
At the core of the ACF sanctuary lies a fully equipped animal hospital, featuring diagnostic tools, surgical units, quarantine areas, and rehabilitation pens. With trained vets and paramedics on staff, ACF performs life-saving surgeries daily for animals suffering from trauma, broken limbs, skin infections, and chronic illnesses.
3. Specialized Care Units
ACF doesn’t just shelter animals—it offers specialized programs for:
- Paralysed Dogs: Equipped with mobility carts and prosthetics.
- Blind or Deaf Animals: Adjusted routines and environments.
- Abused Donkeys: Special trauma-recovery enclosures.
- Senior Cats and Dogs: Comfort-focused care until end of life.
4. Adoption and Foster Programs
Through social media campaigns and community drives, ACF connects rescued animals with loving homes. Their adoption process includes background checks, house visits, and ongoing support. They also offer foster care options for people who can’t commit to long-term ownership but want to help.
5. Mobile Clinic Outreach
In underserved communities and rural areas, ACF operates mobile veterinary units that provide free vaccinations, deworming, wound care, and public education. This outreach is vital for reducing animal-borne diseases and encouraging responsible animal care practices.
Infrastructure and Operations
The ACF sanctuary is located on the outskirts of Karachi and covers a vast area divided into multiple sections:
- Dog, cat, and donkey enclosures.
- Livestock pens for cows, goats, and horses.
- Isolation and quarantine areas.
- Operating theatre and medical bays.
- Staff quarters and training rooms.
Each section is managed by dedicated caretakers and volunteers. The sanctuary is open for public visits, educational tours, and donor-sponsored events, which increases transparency and engagement.
Rescue Stories That Inspire
Every rescued animal at ACF has a story, and these stories fuel the organization’s emotional connection with the public:
- Hero, a donkey beaten nearly to death by his owners, now thrives in the sanctuary and has become a symbol of ACF’s anti-animal cruelty movement.
- Laila, a puppy hit by a car and left to die, underwent three surgeries and is now a therapy dog for children with disabilities.
- Shahrukh, a blind cat, was adopted by a teacher and now lives in a classroom, where he helps students learn empathy.
These stories, often shared on ACF’s Instagram and Facebook, build a bridge between the public and the mission.
Metrics of Impact
ACF’s quantifiable achievements include:
- 30,000+ animals rescued and rehabilitated.
- 300+ animals housed at any given time.
- 150+ adoptions monthly.
- 15,000+ vaccines administered.
- 1 million+ digital followers across social media platforms.
- Partnerships with over 50 schools and universities for awareness and volunteer programs.
Community Engagement and Education
ACF believes that rescuing animals isn’t enough—mindsets must change too. Their educational programs include:
- School workshops on empathy, compassion, and animal care.
- University internships for pre-vet students and social workers.
- Corporate volunteering days to build civic responsibility.
The foundation also trains young people in Karachi’s underserved neighborhoods on basic animal first-aid and reporting cruelty, creating a ripple effect of awareness.
Media Recognition and Collaborations
ACF has gained recognition in major Pakistani and international outlets such as:
- BBC News
- Al Jazeera
- Dawn
- Hum News
- Gulf News
They’ve also collaborated with celebrities, including Mahira Khan and Osman Khalid Butt, who’ve amplified the foundation’s message. Global organizations such as PETA and Humane Society International have applauded ACF’s efforts as a rare example of sustainable animal welfare in a developing country.
Challenges and Sustainability
Despite its impact, ACF faces enormous challenges:
- Funding gaps due to lack of consistent donors.
- Cultural resistance to adopting pets or treating animals kindly.
- Burnout among staff who witness daily trauma.
- Overcrowding, especially during extreme weather or disease outbreaks.
To address these, ACF is working on:
- Subscription-based donor models.
- CSR partnerships with Pakistani businesses.
- Training programs for new animal rescue NGOs to scale impact nationally.
Future Vision
Looking ahead, ACF aims to:
- Establish satellite shelters in Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar.
- Create Pakistan’s first animal ambulance service.
- Partner with government departments for policy development on animal welfare.
- Launch a vocational training school for low-income youth in animal caregiving.
Their ultimate goal is to integrate animal welfare into national consciousness, where animals aren’t seen as burdens, but as co-inhabitants of our communities.
How You Can Support ACF
There are several ways individuals and organizations can help:
- Donate: Even a few dollars can provide vaccinations or meals.
- Adopt or Foster: Give a rescued animal a second chance.
- Volunteer: From social media to shelter care, there’s a role for everyone.
- Sponsor an Animal: Monthly sponsorships ensure consistent care.
- Raise Awareness: Share their stories, attend their events, and talk about animal rights.
Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a bigger movement.
Conclusion
ACF Animal Rescue is not just an NGO—it’s a revolution in compassion. It is rewriting the relationship between humans and animals in Pakistan, one rescue at a time. Through the leadership of Ayesha Chundrigar, the tireless work of volunteers, and the support of a growing community, ACF has become a pillar of hope for the voiceless.
In a society struggling to prioritize kindness in the face of adversity, ACF’s message is clear: humanity begins with empathy. And for the stray, the injured, and the forgotten, ACF is the promise of a better world.
