About me

Hi, I’m Farah Hanis!

Hi there, I’m Farah Hanis Binti Juhari, but you can just call me Farah. I’ve always been drawn to animals and their wellbeing, particularly those in captivity, horses, animals used in laboratories, and our everyday companions at home. It’s not just about loving animals; it’s about advocating for their welfare and ensuring they live lives as fulfilling as nature intended.

My journey has been an interdisciplinary one and I believe in making a difference, one step at a time. I kicked off this journey with a degree in Science, majoring in Zoology, from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) back in 2009. My passion didn’t stop there; I further pursued a master’s degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), thanks to the support of the National Science Fellowship (NSF) from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI). My master’s research focuses on how environmental enrichment could mitigate stereotypic behavior in captive leopards in two zoos, National zoo and Taiping zoo where I met Simba, Darma, Rambo. Apow and Manja! Check out their photos in my gallery! In the meantime, while studying I also worked in veterinary clinics as the veterinary assistant where I collaborated closely with animal shelters.

The pursuit of knowledge is never-ending. I embarked on a PhD journey at UPM, where my research explored the relationship between dietary intake and behaviors in horses, particularly those exhibiting oral stereotypies and redirected behaviors. My Phd project was also partially sponsored by the Animal Behavior Society Developing Nations Research Grants.

As an active member of the Animal Behavior Society, I continue to learn, grow, and contribute to this cause close to my heart. My journey reflects a deep commitment to animal welfare, hands-on experience on various mammalian species. It’s about understanding their world to make ours a better place for them. Let’s embark on this journey together, shall we?