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Saturday, 25 July 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
A spate of activities in geographically and culturally diverse areas of Sri Lanka has seen Embark, Sri Lanka’s unique fashion brand supported community animal welfare programme, record one of the busiest quarters in its eight year history.
Traversing the country to places such as Sigiriya, Arugam Bay, Yala, Kandy, Gampola, Chilaw and populous Colombo suburbs like Maharagama, Kaduwela, Kandana and Welisara to name a few, Embark together with partner organisations have vaccinated 2,592 stray dogs, performed 1,458 sterilisations and given a total of 51 puppies in adoption between April and June 2015.
“We are happy that we are gaining momentum as communities and local authorities around the country see the benefits and importance of working together for a good cause,” said Embark founder and entrepreneur Otara Gunewardene. “It is a pleasure to see more and more people understand the importance of treating these sentient beings with kindness and love.
Embark seeks to fulfil its mission through four main campaign areas: an anti-rabies vaccinations and population control campaign, fostering and re-homing campaign, treatment of special needs and injured street animals and education and awareness.
The main objective of Embark is to change attitudes and mindsets amongst the public towards street dogs. This is achieved by advocating practical approaches to connecting with community animals which will in turn reduce different forms of animal cruelty.
Sterilisation and vaccination are done according to the internationally accepted catch-neuter-vaccinate-release (CNVR) method by trained veterinarians and the rounding up and release of stray dogs is supervised by professionals to ensure no harm comes to the dogs.
The recent fourth phase of Embark’s Sigiriya project had resulted in 312 sterilisation surgeries and 403 vaccinations in May. Similarly, the continuing programme in Maharagama had resulted in 917 vaccinations in June.
When Embark celebrated its eighth anniversary in May this year, the programme had already been responsible for 14,183 sterilisations, 12,536 treatments, 33,901 vaccinations, and 2,105 adoptions.
The programme has attracted significant international attention, with the Fondation Brigitte Bardot (The Brigitte Bardot Foundation) – the leading animal protection organisation in France, extending funding support, and the Bomosa Foundation seeking guidance and training, while being supported by individuals, both international and local, who understand the need for improvement in animal welfare in Sri Lanka.
