Embark helps Aranayaka’s community animals after landslide disaster

Embark has reported that 2,354 dogs have been vaccinated and 293 treated for injuries and ailments in Aranayaka in partnership with the Best Care Animal Hospital after the landslides that devastated the area in May this year.

As rebuilding began after the disaster, Embark responded to requests from the community and carried out a comprehensive vaccination and treatment campaign for companion animals in the landslide affected areas. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation funded the programme and contributed to the costs of hospitalisation and treatment for the animals rescued from the flood affected areas.

“Our work in Aranayaka is an excellent example of the role Embark can play in working with communities to improve conditions for owned and roaming dogs, and spread the message of compassion and care,” said Ashani Gopallawa, Head of Operations at Embark. 

“We were happy to provide the needed support to this community. It had seen so much destruction and faced great adversity but the people we met had smiles on their faces, and were thankful that help came, not only for them but for their faithful companions at their time of need.” 

The affected areas in which the Embark programme was carried out included the Gevilapitiya and Ussapitiya PHI areas. “The assistance received from the Kegalle Regional Director of Health Services Vijith Gunasekara, the Kegalle Rabies Public Health Inspector A.M.S.S.K. Weerasinghe, the Aranayaka PHI J. Mohamed Anas and the Aranayaka Medical Officer of Health Dr. Gemunu Wickramasinghe was much appreciated by both Embark and Best Care,” Gopallawa said. 

“I am grateful that Embark reached out to us. Everything went according to plan and they were able to cover a wide area within a short period. When I spoke to the people in the area, they mentioned that not only did the dogs receive vaccinations and treatment, the community received advice on looking after their dogs, which was really helpful. The team was efficient and the dogs were caught with nets without causing any harm to them. All in all, it was a really great support in our time of need,” the Public Health Inspector of Aranayaka J. Mohamed Anas said.

Stories of a dog digging through the mud in search of his guardians spread during the devastating landslides in Aranayaka. The disaster left over 100 people dead and resulted in the displacement of 554 families. Whilst relief and rescue efforts were carried out, the people of Aranayaka also reached out to animal rescue organisations for assistance in finding and treating community animals that were injured.  

When the mudslides began amid heavy rains, animals were unable or unwilling to escape and chose to wait for their guardians rather than running to safety. These animals remained and dug through the mud, sometimes in vain. During disasters, animals, be they owned, street or community animals remain largely forgotten. The people of Aranayaka responded differently despite the enormous odds they were coming to terms with. They reacted enthusiastically to the care given to their four-legged friends, putting aside their work for the day and bringing their community cats and dogs for vaccinations and treatment. 

Embark along with the programme’s partners has been transforming the lives of street dogs and communities like Aranayaka since 2007. The organisation works in rescue and treatment, rehoming, sterilisation and vaccination and education in relation to Sri Lanka’s street dogs. The organisation can be contacted via [email protected] or on 0773429025 for street dog welfare related issues.