Caring for Animals, Building Change: A Conversation with Dr. Rina Dev

"I'm trying to build what I envisioned as a young girl, just caring for animals and doing whatever I can in this lifetime." - Dr. Rina Dev

Animal welfare is often measured through rescues, rehabilitation, and conservation successes. But behind every rescued animal are people who dedicate their lives to this work, often quietly, and always with immense compassion.

As part of the Upadhyaya Foundation team's visit to Riwild Sanctuary in Karjat on 23rd July 2026, we sat down with Dr. Rina Dev - a veterinarian, wildlife rehabilitator, founder of Riwild Sanctuary, avian and reptile specialist, and recipient of the Carl Zeiss Wildlife Conservation Award. Over the years, she has treated thousands of animals across species, pioneered complex wildlife surgeries, and built one of India's most respected wildlife rehabilitation centres.

The conversation moved beyond medicine. It explored purpose, veterinary education, wildlife crime, philanthropy, and the emotional realities of caring for wild animals. What follows is an edited transcript of that conversation.

Compassion has to come first

Preetham: You've been a veterinarian for many years now and have built an extraordinary career. Looking back, what shaped your perspective as a veterinarian?

Dr. Rina Dev: I think not only as a veterinarian, but for anybody wanting to do anything in life, your number one thing has to be passion. You have to know what you want out of life.

I think I knew this from the time I was a toddler. I was always rescuing injured birds, kittens, anything that needed help. Animal welfare wasn't common then, but compassion came very naturally to me. Some of it is instinct, some of it comes from the people around you.

So becoming a veterinarian wasn't really a decision. It was simply the most natural way for me to spend my life caring for animals.

Becoming a veterinarian wasn't really a choice. It just came naturally.

Veterinary education has changed, but there's still work to do

Dr. Dev actively engages with the current generation of veterinary students. This close interaction with young professionals naturally led the conversation towards the evolving landscape of veterinary education.

Preetham: You've experienced veterinary education as both a student and now as someone mentoring young veterinarians. What has changed?

Dr. Rina Dev: The students have changed enormously.

When I joined veterinary college in 2004, people didn't always understand why someone would become a veterinarian. Today, students enter with a clear vision. Some first-year students already know they want to specialise in wildlife, dermatology, or avian medicine.

The opportunities today are much greater. Beyond university, there are workshops, courses, conferences and continued learning opportunities happening across India. If you're focused, you can build your career around exactly what you're passionate about.

Preetham: What should governments and universities prioritise?

Dr. Rina Dev: Infrastructure.

Many veterinary colleges still don't have the facilities students deserve. But infrastructure alone isn't enough. Faculty need continuous exposure to modern veterinary science, and we need much greater emphasis on research.

Veterinary medicine has advanced tremendously around the world. Our education system has to keep pace.

You can't keep teaching the same medicine, from the same textbooks, in the same way. Veterinary science has moved forward, and our education has to move with it.

Animal welfare came before veterinary medicine

One of the recurring themes throughout the conversation was that veterinary medicine was never the destination; it was simply the best tool to pursue a lifelong commitment to animal welfare.

Preetham: You balance private practice with extensive work alongside NGOs and rescue organisations. How has that shaped your journey?

Dr. Rina Dev: Honestly, animal welfare happened before veterinary medicine.

I was volunteering with shelters and rescue organisations while I was still in school. Becoming a veterinarian simply allowed me to help animals better.

No matter where a veterinarian works - whether in wildlife, public health, research or NGOs - we're responsible for ensuring animals receive the best possible care.

That's really what shaped my career.

The emotional cost of wildlife trafficking

The discussion then shifted to one of the most difficult aspects of wildlife conservation - illegal wildlife trade.

Preetham: We often hear about wildlife being seized at airports or rescued from illegal trade. What actually happens behind the scenes, and what role do veterinarians play?

Dr. Rina Dev: For me, illegal wildlife trade is probably the most disturbing part of this profession.

These animals have been taken from nature. In many cases, they've been separated from their mothers after the parents were killed. Then comes the journey - being stuffed into suitcases, boxes, or cartons without food or water.

You're not only treating an injured animal. You're treating an animal that's been deprived of everything it naturally needed.

As veterinarians, we try to stabilise them, rehabilitate them and, wherever possible, return them to the wild.

You're not only treating an injured animal. You're treating an animal that has been deprived of its basic needs.

Conservation needs systems, not just compassion

Wildlife rescue depends on many different agencies working together.

Preetham: These rescues involve NGOs, forest departments, customs, police and veterinarians. What is that collaboration actually like?

Dr. Rina Dev: It's difficult.

Many agencies don't have clear Standard Operating Procedures for handling rescued wildlife. How should animals be transported? When should they be quarantined? How should they be released? Without scientific protocols, even well-intentioned people can make decisions that harm wildlife. Developing SOPs is one of the biggest needs in wildlife rescue today.

What role can philanthropy play?

As the conversation turned towards philanthropy, the discussion became particularly relevant to Upadhyaya Foundation's work.

Preetham: We currently support veterinarians through NGO partnerships and salary support. What else can family philanthropies do for the veterinary ecosystem?

Dr. Rina Dev: Invest in people, support advanced training, support veterinarians working in rural India, support wildlife research.

There are incredibly talented wildlife veterinarians who complete advanced education but don't always find opportunities to use those skills. Funding education, fellowships and research projects can create lasting impact.

She also highlighted another opportunity often overlooked by smaller NGOs.

Preetham: Many organisations don't have the resources for scholarships. What opportunities can they still create?

Dr. Rina Dev: Internships.

Not everyone who loves animals is meant to become a veterinarian. Someone may be uncomfortable treating injuries but could become an excellent communicator, educator, or fundraiser. Internships allow young people to discover where they can contribute best.

We all can help animals in our own capacity.

The story she still carries

Towards the end of the conversation, Preetham asked Dr. Rina if there was one rescue she would never forget. Instead of sharing a success story, she spoke about loss.

A mother monkey suffering from tetanus after an electric shock had been brought in with her one-day-old baby. Despite every effort, the mother died while the baby continued clinging to her.

Dr. Rina Dev: I remember walking out of the clinic afterwards and buying a stuffed monkey for the baby because it needed something to hold onto.

People usually want happy rescue stories. But behind every happy story are many heartbreaking ones. Those are the stories that stay with you.

Building the dream she imagined as a child

As the conversation came to a close, Preetham looked around the sanctuary and asked one final question. It was perhaps the shortest answer of the entire interview, but also the one that best captured everything Riwild represents.

Preetham: Looking around Riwild today, what are you trying to build?

Dr. Rina Dev: I'm trying to build what I envisioned as a young girl.

Just caring for animals and doing whatever I can in this lifetime.

One final message

Before concluding, Preetham invited Dr. Rina to leave a message for NGOs, philanthropic foundations, and everyone working for animals. Her response reflected a belief that runs through much of conservation work.

Dr. Rina Dev: It's important for everybody to come together. No rescue or conservation effort is ever one person's work. People often talk about Riwild as though it's just me. But behind it are veterinarians, caregivers, staff, volunteers, partners and organisations working together.

That's how lasting change happens.

It's never one person's effort. It's everybody coming together.

Looking ahead

The visit to Riwild Sanctuary was a reminder that conservation is built as much through people as it is through science. Behind every rescue are years of learning, countless difficult decisions, and individuals who continue to show up because compassion demands it.

For the Upadhyaya Foundation team, the conversation reinforced many of the themes that guide our work: strengthening veterinary ecosystems, supporting organisations on the ground, investing in people, and enabling collaborations that create lasting impact because, as Dr. Rina reminded us throughout the conversation, meaningful change is never the work of one individual. It is built collectively, one act of care at a time.