Contents
Mohammad Zabi Khan, better known as Zabi Khan, is an Indian animal rights activist. He is the founder of the NGO “A Place to Bark.”
Wiki/Biography
Zabi Khan was born on Wednesday, 11 June 1997 (age 23 years; as of 2020) in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. His zodiac sign is Gemini. He graduated in Computer Science from KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology (KGRCET), Hyderabad. When Zabi was in class 8 (around 13 years old), he came across an abandoned German Shepherd puppy on a street, and unable to find his owners, he took the puppy to his home. He named the puppy Casanova. Two days later, the puppy fell sick and died. Reminiscing his puppy, Casanova, Zabi said in an interview,
He fell sick two days later. My father and I took him to a doctor, but Casanova passed away that night. The doctor had told my father that he had a severe bacterial infection — it was probably the reason he was abandoned. He was my first pet and I was heartbroken.”
That day, Zabi promised himself that he would not let any animal suffer like Casanova. Soon, he began volunteering at local NGOs and animal shelters.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
Hair Colour: Black (Dyed Blonde)
Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Not much is known about his parents. Zabi has a sister, Shumaila Syed.
Career
After noticing a shortage of organisations that worked to rehabilitate abandoned and abused dogs, Zabi decided to start his own organisation. In 2014, he founded an NGO “A Place to Bark” with support of his family. The NGO was based near his home.
When Zabi took up engineering for his further studies, it became difficult for him to manage his NGO. It was then that he came up with the idea of opening a shelter for animals inside his college premises. He discussed the idea with the authorities and convinced them for the cause. With the opening of a shelter for abandoned animals inside his college, KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology (KGRCET) became the first animal-friendly educational campus in India.
Zabi Khan’s college campus
The shelter is open, not just for dogs, but it also hosts other animals like cats, rabbits, turkeys, and ducks. The students and faculty of the college volunteer towards the protection of such animals.
Zabi Khan addressing the students and faculty of his college
In 2020, Zabi participated in the game reality show “MTV Roadies Revolution” with the motive of spreading awareness about the protection of abandoned animals.
Awards & Achievements
- Ashoka Youth Venturer (2017)
- Rise Young Citizen (2017)
- National Youth Icon for Humility (2018)
- The Pride of Telangana Award (2018)
- V-Award, an initiative by the UN Volunteers India (2019)
Zabi Khan with an award
- He was awarded as one of the best volunteer in India by the United Nations and the Minister of Youth affairs and sports, Kiren Rijiju, on December 5 on the occasion of International Volunteers Day (2020)
Zabi Khan receiving an award
Favourite Things
- Sport(s): Football, Basketball
- Singer(s): Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Auburn
- Film(s): Ghost Rider (2007), Twilight (2008)
- TV Show(s): Bigg Boss, MTV Roadies
- Book: The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Facts/Trivia
- His likes reading and travelling in his leisure time.
- In 2018, Zabi was nominated for India’s fourth-highest civilian award “Padma Shri.”
- His NGO, “A Place to Bark,” organises adoption drives every 6 months. During an interview, while talking about the adoption drives, Zabi said,
We recently (2018) organised a big adoption drive at Numaish, a popular event organised in the Nampally area. We managed to find people to adopt 28 desi pups in one day.”
- Zabi has also collaborated with Hyderabad’s fashion designers to organise fashion shows centred around animal abuse.
- As of 2020, Zabi himself has eight abandoned dogs at his home. Once while talking about his pets, Zabi said,
They are free animals. I let them to go around and do as they please.”
- He is known for being the youngest animal rights activist in India. As of 2020, Zabi has saved more than 3000 animals.