The 2020 Adi Guru Kalua’s Homes Animal Welfare Crisis in Bangladesh
A comprehensive examination of one of Bangladesh’s most significant animal welfare crises, featuring key figures like Adi Guru, Rakibul Haq Emil, and Dipanwita Ridi.
Background and Timeline of the Kalua’s Homes Crisis (2020)
Kalua’s Homes was an animal shelter in Dhaka founded by Naim Ibn Islam, known by the alias “Adi Guru”. He started the shelter in late 2017 after the violent death of his beloved pet cat, Kalua.
Kalua’s Homes established as a rooftop cattery in Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Shelter moved to a 16,000 sq. ft. semi-rural site by the Buriganga River in Rayerbazar
Both Kalua’s Homes and Animal Rescuers Bangladesh announced they were on the verge of shutting down due to funding shortages
Multiple complaints began circulating on social media about dire conditions at the shelter
PAW Foundation and other activists visited the shelter and found alarming conditions
Activists drew up a 10-point improvement plan which Naim signed
Naim announced via Facebook Live that he was handing over the shelter and leaving Dhaka
Activists revisited and found little improvement in conditions
A coalition led by Animal Lovers of Bangladesh (ALB) and Animal Care Society of Bangladesh (ACSB) took over supervision
Conditions Found at the Shelter
During their visits, activists found at least 80 dogs and 18 cats crowded on the property, many in life-threatening condition—emaciated, injured, or paralyzed.
“It was a gruesome situation, to be honest. There were at least 80 dogs and 18 cats… many of them on the brink of death.”
– Rakibul Haq Emil, founder of PAW Foundation [Source]
Animal Deaths and Neglect
During the chaotic period, several animals perished. A young rescuer (alias “Barsha”) discovered that an entire litter of puppies she had placed at Kalua’s Homes had died during a storm, allegedly because they were left without shelter in heavy rain.
“Even stray dogs can find shelter under a building in the rain. But these innocent puppies died at a shelter, with no shed to protect them.”
– Barsha, animal rescuer [Source]
Adi Guru (Naim Ibn Islam) – Founder of Kalua’s Homes
Naim Ibn Islam, widely known by his Facebook nickname “Adi Guru,” was at the center of the storm. As the founder and chief operator of Kalua’s Homes, he had been a familiar figure in Dhaka’s volunteer animal rescue circle since 2018.
Allegations Against Adi Guru
Animal Neglect and Cruelty
The conditions documented at Kalua’s Homes in June 2020 were attributed to Naim’s mismanagement. Dozens of animals were found starving, diseased, and living in squalor.
Misuse of Funds and Fraud
Naim had solicited public donations to run Kalua’s Homes, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown. He received an influx of roughly Tk 2.5 lakh in donations in the two months before the scandal, but activists questioned where that money went.
Harassment and Misconduct
Troubling reports emerged about Naim’s personal behavior, especially toward female volunteers. At least two women alleged that Naim sexually harassed them when they interacted with him about rescue work.
Lack of Veterinary Credentials
Naim lacked proper veterinary credentials. Although he had administered treatments and even surgeries on animals at Kalua’s Homes, he was not a licensed veterinarian or a registered paraveterinary professional.
“It isn’t cruelty to give animals a home… They would die in the street otherwise.”
– Naim Ibn Islam (Adi Guru) in his defense [Source]
Intervention by Rakibul Haq Emil and PAW Foundation
Rakibul Haq Emil, founder and chairman of the People for Animal Welfare (PAW) Foundation, played a leading role in uncovering and responding to the Kalua’s Homes crisis.
Key Actions by PAW Foundation
- Organized initial investigative visits to Kalua’s Homes on May 30 and June 6, 2020
- Documented evidence of animal cruelty and neglect
- Provided emergency relief after Adi Guru abandoned the shelter: Unknown
- Helped file General Diary (GD) entries against Naim for animal cruelty and harassment
- Coordinated with Department of Livestock Services for official inspection
- Initiated legal action under the Animal Welfare Act 2019
“I went with a team of seven other animal rights activists to see what was going on at the shelter.”
– Rakibul Haq Emil on the initial investigation [Source]
Dipanwita Ridi, Animal Lovers of Bangladesh (ALB), and the Handover
Dipanwita Ridi is the founder of Animal Lovers of Bangladesh (ALB) Foundation, which operates one of the country’s first large-scale animal adoption shelters based in Narayanganj.
ALB’s Intervention
On July 5, 2020, Dipanwita Ridi announced via Facebook Live that ALB and ACSB activists had assumed responsibility for Kalua’s Homes. She outlined a plan to enforce standards including:
- Installation of CCTV cameras
- Segregation of dogs from cats
- Provision of proper bedding and shade
- Ensuring ample nutritious food
- Administering veterinary treatment to every ill animal
“Under her team’s strict supervision, all ill animals will receive the treatment they need.”
– Dipanwita Ridi’s commitment during takeover [Source]
Multimedia Evidence
These videos provide firsthand accounts and visual evidence of the conditions at Kalua’s Homes and the response from activists and authorities.
Documentation of Conditions
Open Transcript (PDF)
Adi Guru’s Response
Case of Molly
Other Animal Cases
Media Coverage
Legal Actions and Investigations in the Aftermath
The Kalua’s Homes crisis of 2020 led to several legal and regulatory actions, marking a significant moment for animal welfare enforcement in Bangladesh.
Key Legal Actions
General Diary (GD) Entries
Two GDs were filed against Naim in mid-June 2020:
- June 12, 2020: “Riya” filed at Hazaribagh Police Station accusing Naim of animal cruelty and sexual harassment
- June 15, 2020: “Barsha” filed at Ramna Model Police Station detailing negligence leading to her puppies’ deaths and mentioning harassment
Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Inspection
On June 29, 2020, Dr. Shaheen Noor from DLS inspected Kalua’s Homes and found that the shelter had been operating for nearly two years with no license or authorization, and had no proper arrangement for veterinary services.
Court Case Under Animal Welfare Act
Activists led by Emil and Shameem worked to file a court case against Naim under the Animal Welfare Act 2019. Offenses under this Act can result in up to 6 months’ imprisonment or Tk 10,000 fine (or both) for each count of cruelty.
“The report recommends the Officer-in-Charge of Hazaribagh PS to follow up with the necessary legal steps.”
– DLS report on Kalua’s Homes [Source]
Kalua’s Homes in 2025: Current Operational Status
More than five years on from the 2020 crisis, Kalua’s Homes has continued to operate under Adi Guru’s direction through 2021-2025, albeit amid ongoing challenges.
Recent Developments
As of 2025, Naim (Adi Guru) has been posting on social media about the shelter’s status. In a Bangla Instagram post dated May 3, 2025, he wrote that “Kalua’s Homes is on the verge of closure” once again, stating that over 200 dogs and cats were under his care but resources were severely strained.
“To say it’s struggling would be an understatement… our shelter has over 200 animals today and is almost at the point of shutting down.”
– Naim Ibn Islam (Adi Guru) in May 2025 [Source]
No evidence has emerged of any new management or oversight at Kalua’s Homes after 2020. ALB and other groups are no longer publicly associated with it. Essentially, Adi Guru regained sole control, for better or worse.
Broader Issues: Corruption, Fund Misuse, and Ethics in Bangladesh’s Animal Welfare Sector
The Kalua’s Homes incident shone a light on systemic challenges in Bangladesh’s nascent animal welfare sector, highlighting several broader themes and problems:
Key Issues
- Reliance on Individual Efforts and Donations: Most animal shelters are personally funded and always in need of donations
- Lack of Transparency and Accountability: Little formal regulation and no standard reporting requirement for how donations are spent
- Allegations of Fraud and Exploitation: Claims of some rescuers engaging in exploitative practices for donations
- Harassment and Volunteer Exploitation: Treatment of volunteers, often young women, in animal welfare groups
- Structural Corruption and Negligence: Government support is minimal and enforcement of animal welfare laws is weak
- Social Media Fundraising Ethics: Ethical guidelines for online rescue appeals are still evolving
“The sector is learning from these events. The hope is that with stronger collaboration, transparency, and perhaps light-touch regulation, the many genuine heroes in Bangladesh’s animal rescue arena can do their work without being undermined by the few bad apples.”
– Analysis of the broader implications of the crisis
Key Figures in the Kalua’s Homes Crisis
Adi Guru (Naim Ibn Islam)
Founder of Kalua’s Homes animal shelter, central figure in the crisis allegations of animal neglect, fund misuse, and harassment.
Case Study Coming Soon
Rakibul Haq Emil
Founder of PAW Foundation, played leading role in uncovering the crisis and initiating legal actions.
Dipanwita Ridi
Founder of Animal Lovers of Bangladesh (ALB), took over supervision of Kalua’s Homes in July 2020.
Case Study Coming Soon
Sources and References
The information on this page has been compiled from the following sources:
-
- The Daily Star – “Worse off at a shelter” (July 8, 2020)
- New Age – “SOS: save these poor souls” (Dec 22, 2019)
- New Age Youth – “Young fighters of animal rights” (Jan 5, 2020)
- Pixcellent Photography Blog – “Justice for Molly” (July 2020)
- পথপ্রাণির সেবার নামে চাঁদাবাজি!
- Al Jazeera – Profile on Dipanwita Ridi (Nov 24, 2023)
- Various social media posts and public communications from PAW Foundation, ALB, and Adi Guru
Further Reading on Kalua’s Homes 2020 Tragedy
Rakibul Haq Emil’s Conduct in the 2020 Animal welfare Crisis