Man's best friend - our responsibility

According to statistics, the current trend of over-population in dogs and cats has serious implications. With the sudden increase, many of these animals are unfortunate enough to be homeless and forced to fend for themselves on the streets.

Many are victims of senseless cruelty, and some dangerous to humans at large. Diseases run rampant if unchecked, which are fatal such as rabies. The reasons for such a population explosion are many however the fact that millions of deaths could be prevented makes them all the more tragic.

In order to provide a measure of control, Tangalla Bay by Jetwing has teamed up with the Tsunami Animal People Alliance, the Southern Tourism Board, Moonstone Villas and The Kamloops- Tangalle Friendship and is currently implementing a Field Clinic in Tangalle. The Clinic is staffed by experienced veterinary surgeons and aims to catch, neuter, vaccinate and release 500 stray animals till November 26. Free vaccinations are being offered for community owned dogs and cats as well, as part of a community outreach effort.

"There was a real need for a solution to this problem, as this alarming population explosion of stray animals is becoming a danger to both humans and the animals themselves. With the assistance of our partners and the local community, we aim to radically reduce these numbers in order to beautify Tangalle especially for foreign tourism", Jetwing Tangalla Bay General Manager Tyrone David said. We had a tremendously successful opening day, with 20 stray dogs being neutered, vaccinated and released, as well as 3 pets being vaccinated. Our target is 500, and so far we have carried out 209 surgeries. The Clinic is becoming quite popular, with people coming in from over 15km away, he continued.

How to show love and compassion to animals

Showing love and compassion to homeless animals is wonderful and we have many Sri Lankans who love to feed stray animals, both cats and dogs. But whilst we give them food it is also important that we attend to their reproductive cycle. A mother dog can give birth to a number of puppies and a cat to a number of kittens (all 'unwanted' and 'unwelcome' from birth), unless they are sterilized.

Some heartless people conveniently dump these pups/kittens in a drain or at the gate of an animal lover. AWPA received two such calls this week from Desmond in Katubedde (Tel 0777-250733) and Dr Senerath, 37 Andiris Silva Mawatha, Rawathawatte, Moratuwa (Tel0777-879094). If you would like to give a home to one of these pups please contact them on the above numbers.
 

Zuki

Zuki was found under a tree near the canal bank when she was two and a half months old. An old gentleman looked after her for sometime but unfortunately for her, the gentleman got ill and could not give her the love and attention she needs.

Zuki is now seven months old, extremely playful, friendly with other dogs and cats. She is not used to a Kennel and she gets depressed if you put her into a Kennel. Zuli has been given all the vaccinations needed and given vitamins and more.

If you can give this angel a loving home, please contact Dayanthi Wijesinghe on 2588662. Every animal deserves a house of any kind and if you can give that home - Please come forward and do it.