About us

Director's Message

Director

It is an honour and a profound responsibility to be tasked with the role of Director of the Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare (MSAW). I come with a resolute mission, and unflinching commitment to the welfare of the animals that rely on us.

I embrace this responsibility with dedication and a deep sense of purpose, committed to advancing the organisation's mission and safeguarding the welfare of the animals entrusted to our care.

Animal welfare is not only a mission, it is who we are as a society. It's about our heart, our values, and our humanity. MSAW is about more than rescue and care. We are working toward a future where kindness, respect, and dignity are what all animals experience.

Since I joined the team, I have encountered challenges and opportunities. Internally, we are striving to develop on our foundations—strengthening structure, governance, and operating effectiveness. Externally, we are faced with a demanding environment of economic pressures and rising numbers of abandonment, cruelty, and illegal breeding. These realities demand fearless thinking, collective effort, and a clear, humane vision.

We remain steadfast in our efforts to move away from cruel and inefficient animal control mechanisms, and towards a more humane, ethical, and sustainable approach. The implementation of an overarching framework in this direction is emblematic of this shift, representing a strategic turn towards humane population management and responsible pet ownership within the society. Designed not only to manage animal populations in a humane way, but also to instil a culture of responsible pet ownership in the country.

This is a time for change. And change only occurs through unity. I am confident in the power of partnership with the idea that whenever government, NGOs, animal lover communities, and citizens work together, we can achieve long lasting change.

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our team, volunteers, partners, and supporters. Your energy and drive motivate all that we do. In all that we do next, your continued support will be essential to our success.

Let us keep striving together on behalf of those animals who cannot speak but who enrich our lives in so many different ways.

Let us build a future in which animal well-being is not an ideal, but a fact for all beings in our care.

Mr. Tinagaren GOVINDASAMI
Director