There are street dogs and cats all over the world, but one country that sometimes goes under the radar when we think of those with large populations is Sri Lanka.
However, it’s thought that there are millions in the island country, all going without the home comforts like the best dog beds that our own beloved pets are used to. Fortunately, however, there are people out there working tirelessly to help animals in Sri Lanka. And, one charity has just celebrated its 1,000th life-changing surgery in the Asian nation.
Alena Warburton, from Dorset in the south of the UK, first visited Sri Lanka on her honeymoon in 2019 and was inspired to set up Lucas Helps Dogs after being affected by the animals living on the street, naming the charity after her own late dog.
So far, the charity has sterilized over 1,000 animals and vaccinated the same number against rabies. It’s also carried out over 100 emergency treatments and over 500 skin treatments, given animals forever homes in Sri Lanka and the UK, helped educate locals about animal welfare, and offered over 20,000 meals to hungry animals.
Lucas Helps Dogs is currently working in Hikkaduwa on the south coast, where it runs a regular bi-monthly clinic for low income families and street animals, operating alongside a team of locals as well as nearby temples and schools. The team also run pop-up clinics across the country.
Alena said: “We’re absolutely delighted to reach this milestone, which will save tens of thousands of puppies and kittens from being born into a life of misery on the streets. Every day animals in Sri Lanka face dangerous roads, disease, and a struggle to find food, water, and a safe place to sleep.
“But this figure is just the start. In Hikkaduwa, there has been a huge improvement in the health of dogs and cats. We have even had regular tourists and locals contact us to say how much better the situation in our area is.”
Now, the team is planning to work in a second location, where Alena has said the dogs are in the worst condition she has ever seen. Along with two volunteers, she is self-funding a trip to Sri Lanka at the end of March to organize the work.
She said: “The last time we were in Sri Lanka we visited a remote area called Udawalawe. We were absolutely devastated at the number of dogs at the side of the road, with horrendous injuries, severely underweight, and completely bald due to a painful skin condition called mange.
“The nearest vets are more than two hours away, and no one is working in this area to care for the dogs and cats.
“We are continuing our work in Hikkaduwa, but plan to also visit this second location to carry out first aid and skin treatments, with a view to also establishing a sterilization, vaccination, and education program here.”
Lucas Helps Dogs entirely self-funds transport, travel, and all other costs – if you’d like to donate or show your support, you can head to their website for more information.
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