Passionate animal advocate, dynamic entrepreneur, creative spirit… Zai Tandan, Co-Founder, Heal Your Paws, wears many hats, and each one fits her beautifully. A lifelong animal lover, Zai’s compassion for stray animals bloomed early and only grew stronger with time. Today, she channels that passion into Heal Your Paws (HYP), the premium pet wellness brand she co-founded, known not just for its secure and loving boarding facility but also for its genuine heart.

Sharing her home with four spirited dogs and two majestic Siberian cats, Zai lives and breathes the bond between humans and animals. Alongside her dedicated HYP team, she also leads the HYP Foundation, a non-profit committed to rescuing, rehabilitating, and giving a second chance to countless strays, a true reflection of her deep commitment to animal welfare.

Armed with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing from the University of Bradford (via IILM, New Delhi) and a strong academic foundation from Kodaikanal International School, Zai has blended strategic thinking with heartfelt purpose. She’s spearheading the rebranding of Heal Your Paws and personally overseeing the brand communications and the launch of Bite Me, a vibrant new pet-friendly café at their Sainik Farms location.

Describing herself as a happy-go-lucky soul with a serious zest for life, Zai is as comfortable strategizing brand growth as she is sketching, painting, singing, playing sports, or diving into a gripping fiction novel. A true citizen of the world, her travels inspire her, her creativity fuels her, and her music and movies recharge her spirit.

In an exclusive interview, Heal Your Paws compassionate animal whisperer Zai Tandan talks to Sumita Chakraborty, Editor-in-Chief, TheGlitz, about her inspiring journey, her dreams for HYP, and the beautiful bond she shares with animals. In this candid and light-hearted chat, Zai opens up about the heartfelt journey behind Heal Your Paws, the challenges and triumphs along the way, and the beautiful vision she has for the future — for both pets and the people who love them.

Over To Zai Tandan, Co-Founder, Heal Your Paws

Zai, you’ve been an animal lover from a very young age. What was the defining moment that made you want to start Heal Your Paws, and how did the journey begin?

The belief that animals possess a unique language of love, loyalty, and empathy has always resonated with me. The genesis of Heal Your Paws can be traced back to a deeply personal event. Several years ago, I rescued an injured indie pup, a victim of a car accident, and faced numerous refusals from veterinary clinics.

This experience starkly revealed the inaccessibility of crucial pet wellness, emotional care, and rehabilitation services in our nation. Driven by this realization, I envisioned and created HYP to connect medical expertise with the emotional well-being of our animal friends.

Running a pet care brand and a non-profit simultaneously must come with its own set of challenges. What have been some of the biggest obstacles you’ve faced and how did you overcome them?

The journey is a constant dance between heartfelt dedication and the demands of building something sustainable. A significant challenge has been resource allocation, effectively managing finances, volunteers, and infrastructure without losing sight of our core mission. The emotional toll of the non-profit work, especially when rescues are unsuccessful, is undeniable.

For the brand, the challenge lies in scaling with integrity, ensuring growth doesn’t compromise our values. My approach has evolved to include stronger systems, greater trust in my team, and thoughtful delegation. Collaboration and community engagement have proven vital in overcoming these hurdles.

From creating a safe boarding facility to launching Bite Me, your new pet-friendly café, HYP is growing beautifully. What have been some of the most rewarding milestones so far?

These milestones are etched in my heart. Our boarding and rehabilitation facility was a monumental first stride, and the joy of seeing previously traumatized dogs rediscover carefree play there is truly immeasurable.

Launching “Bite Me,” our pet-friendly café, has been another wonderful evolution, creating a vibrant community where humans and their beloved animals connect through shared meals, playful interactions, and mutual compassion. But it’s the ever-increasing number of successful adoptions and rescues that remains the most profoundly humbling achievement, each one a potent reminder of the impact of our mission.

You’ve been hands-on with the rebranding of Heal Your Paws. What’s the new direction you envision for HYP, and how do you want the brand to resonate with pet parents? 

The rebranding of HYP signifies a thoughtful evolution. Our aim was to create a warm, deeply rooted, and inclusive environment where all pet parents feel a sense of belonging and support. Our renewed identity champions emotional wellness, transparency, and education.

We envision Heal Your Paws not just as a brand, but as a growing movement dedicated to responsible and compassionate pet parenting. Ultimately, we want individuals to perceive Heal Your Pawsas a collaborative partner in their pet ownership experience, not just a service they utilize.

The HYP Foundation does incredible work rescuing and rehabilitating strays. Can you share a particularly touching rescue story that left a deep impact on you?

Certainly, there are numerous tales that resonate with me, but one that continues to touch me profoundly is the rescue of Cupcake, a three-legged Indie puppy we discovered by a construction site in Delhi. When our team found her, she suffered from a severely infected leg wound and was hardly responsive. We hurried her in for urgent treatment, but sadly, her leg was beyond saving. Regardless of the trauma and suffering, what impressed us most was her serene resilience, this little being, who had endured a lot, continued to wag her tail whenever anyone came near her.

Her healing path was lengthy, both physically and emotionally, but she gradually flourished into the most loving, playful spirit. What really resonated with me was the day she was adopted by a young girl who was also experiencing her own emotional healing. The two connected immediately, and it seemed as though the universe had united them to help each other heal.Cupcake’s tale serves as a constant reminder of our purpose at HYP. It’s not solely about saving, it’s about change, faith, and new opportunities. Each animal possesses a tale that deserves to be shared, and we are here to assist in transforming it with compassion and respect

Balancing compassion with business is no easy feat. How do you maintain that fine line between being emotionally invested in animals and making strategic decisions as a brand leader? 

It’s undeniably one of the toughest aspects of my role, requiring a delicate balance of compassion and clear-headedness. I find stability by surrounding myself with a team that shares our values while also pushing me to consider the long-term vision. Our mission remains central to every decision, yet we understand that sustainability fuels our impact. From selecting partners to expanding services and determining pricing, we approach it with empathy, guided by a strategic plan.

With your background in business and marketing, how has your education helped shape the way you run HYP and communicate its core values?

My academic foundation provided the vital instruments to forge a path where passion meets purpose. The knowledge I gained in branding, consumer psychology, and communication has been critical in shaping and sharing Heal Your Paw’s story in a way that truly resonates. It also empowered me to build a credible foundation, lead teams effectively, and scale our operations with foresight. Importantly, it gave me the confidence to approach the often emotionally charged field of animal welfare with a structured and strategic framework, ensuring that our heartfelt commitment remains at the centre of everything we do

Finally, what advice would you give to young animal lovers who want to make a real difference in the lives of strays or pursue a career in animal welfare?

Begin your journey now, even with small steps. Whether it’s as simple as feeding a stray, dedicating time to a shelter, or choosing adoption, every action has value. Remember, compassion is only fully realized through action. Empower yourself with understanding, learn about animal behaviour, relevant laws, and responsible care. And don’t shy away from bringing your professional skills to your passion. The world needs more impactful leaders who combine a loving heart with purposeful action.