Animal activists from Beragala, near Haputale in the Badulla district, are charity-funding clinics to reduce the number of suffering street dogs in the area.
The first day-long clinic was funded by charity-monies raised from a 480-mile end-to-end walk of Sri Lanka. The success of this initial clinic has allowed more charity money to be collected and more clinics to be arranged.
The activists’ inaugural day-long clinic was held in July, 2023 in the Lower Blackwood area of Beragala. Here 43 street dogs were caught, sterilised (neutered) and vaccinated for rabies and mange. A further 25 dogs brought by local households were also vaccinated. A team of veterinaries attended along with a medical officer who gave the vaccinations for rabies.
Two full-day sterilisation and vaccination clinics for street dogs are scheduled to be held at Beragala and Haldummulla on August 3 and 4. About 75 street dogs will be treated, and vaccinations will be offered for dogs from local households.
Lead animal activist from Beragala Chitra Jayasinghe said, “Our efforts are starting to make a difference. Subject to raising more charity money, we will continue until the serious issue of suffering street dogs has been removed from this beautiful part of Sri Lanka.”
National activist from Colombo Shamini Rathnayake said, “International charities are trying to ease the street dog problem in Sri Lanka’s main cities. However, elsewhere there has been little action. I am delighted to support the efforts of Chitra and her team who are taking the lead in addressing this problem in the country’s Southern hill country region.”
Anyone willing to offer financial assistance can log on to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mark- saunders-1 . All donations will go to paying for more suffering street dogs to be treated. The cost to catch, neuter and vaccinate one street dog is Rs. 6,000.
