Success Story – Kai Kai, A Young Ambassador for Compassion and Animal Welfare

Introducing Kai Kai, ACTAsia’s youngest ambassador! Eleven-year-old Kai Kai was born in the Year of the Snake and is compassionate about promoting compassion for animals. 

Chinese Lunar New Year

2025 marks the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac calendar. Whereas Western countries may view snakes as cold and dangerous creatures, in Chinese culture, snakes hold a different meaning: small dragons symbolizing good fortune and wisdom. In fact, for 11-year-old Kai Kai (Zhang Naiwen), “snakes are cool” as he approaches these animals through a lens of empathy and understanding. This perspective is not just about appreciating animals. It also reflects how young Kai Kai approaches life itself—looking at the world with compassion, critical thinking, and a sense of responsibility.

Kai Kai’s deep connection with animals – especially snakes – is a large part of his remarkable story. Kai Kai is a fifth-grade student living in Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province. As a youth ambassador for ACTAsia’s Caring for Life children’s education programme, Kai Kai is helping spread an important message about the harmonious coexistence of animals, humans and the environment. Despite being only 11 years old, his commitment to animal welfare and social responsibility is inspiring, showing us that a child’s understanding and empathy can go beyond their years.

Kai Kai’s father, Dr. Zhang Hao, is a veterinarian and runs a pet hospital

Kai Kai and ACTAsia  

Kai Kai’s journey with ACTAsia began through his parents, who introduced him to Caring for Life education for children. Kai Kai’s father, Dr. Zhang Hao, is a veterinarian and runs an animal hospital, where Kai Kai spent much of his childhood. Dr. Zhang is involved with ACTAsia’s Vets for Change veterinary training programme and is one of ACTAsia’s certificate trainers who actively promote animal welfare and train other vets throughout China. Growing up surrounded by animals, Kai Kai developed a strong love for all creatures, and this naturally evolved into a sense of responsibility for their well-being.

Kai Kai’s love for animals grew, and when he learned about ACTAsia’s mission to teach children about empathy, respect for animals, and environmental stewardship through his father, he was eager to get involved. His excitement led him to fundraise for ACTAsia at the JiuJiu Charity Festival and volunteer in ACTAsia’s booth at the World Small Animal Veterinarians Association(WSAVA) conference in 2024, where he passionately shared the Caring for Life education programme with attendees. 

Bravely Sharing ACTAsia’s Vision

However, Kai Kai’s journey with ACTAsia has involved facing a number of challenges associated with animal advocacy and social responsibility. At the WSAVA conference, for example, Kai Kai remembers feeling nervous speaking to strangers when introducing ACTAsia’s Caring for Life programme. “I was scared at first,” he admits, “but after a day, I was very relaxed. The experience was rewarding because I was able to help more people understand the importance of caring for animals.” His journey has been one of personal growth, and by the end of the conference, Kai Kai had gained confidence in his abilities to communicate his passion for animal welfare.

The emotional weight of his work is another challenge for Kai Kai as he often witnesses injured animals being treated at his father’s clinic which can be tough for a young mind. However, Kai Kai remains steadfast in his empathy: “When I see an animal getting an injection or treatment, I ask my dad if it hurts,” he explains. “I just want to make sure they are okay.” This empathy has become one of Kai Kai’s strongest qualities, and while it can be emotionally taxing at times, it is also what drives his commitment to improving the lives of animals.

Another challenge is the broader societal shift needed in order to foster animal welfare awareness. Whilst Kai Kai’s personal experiences have shaped his understanding of animal rights, he recognises that many children today lack the ability to empathise with animals or think critically about their role in the world. His mission, alongside that of ACTAsia, is to change that—one child at a time.

Kai Kai’s Aspirations for the Future

Looking ahead, Kai Kai has big dreams, both for himself and for the animals he cares about. His ultimate goal is to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a veterinarian. “When I go to the vet hospital, I see how much better the animals look after my dad and the staff have treated them,” Kai Kai says with admiration. “I want to help them too.” 

Kai Kai also hopes to continue his work with ACTAsia, spreading the message of empathy and care for animals to children all over China. He dreams of a world where children grow up with a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of animals, people and the environment and the importance of protecting all creatures. His vision starts with animal welfare and spreads to the goal of shaping his generation to be one that values kindness, compassion and responsibility.

“I want to help make the world a better place for animals and people,” says Kai Kai. “If I can teach others to be kind to animals, we can all live more peacefully together.” His goal is clear: to create a future where empathy and understanding are the foundations of our interactions with animals and the environment.

Creating Empathetic Leaders 

At ACTAsia, we think Kai Kai is a perfect example of the difference that compassionate education can make for children. Few Chinese children have the opportunity to be around animals, to learn that they are sentient beings, with emotions and feelings. 

Our Caring for Life Education for Children programme teaches exactly what Kai Kai has learned – the programme opens eyes, hearts and minds to the relationships between animals, people and the environment. All children want to learn and they can be taught that the choices they make, throughout their lives, affect much more than just themselves.  By supporting Caring for Life, you are helping to ensure that more children, like Kai Kai, can grow up with the tools they need to make a positive difference in the world.

This New Year, we invite you to join ACTAsia as a donor. Your contribution can help provide Caring for Life education for more children, train more teachers, and inspire future generations of empathetic leaders like Kai Kai. Together, we can create a world where animals, humans, and the environment all thrive in harmony.

Donate now

Join us in supporting ACTAsia’s Caring for Life Programme and be a part of the compassionate movement!