Adopt a Dog in Sri Lanka concludes fifth sterilization camp:

Neutering continues in Sella Katharagama

Stray dogs by the dozen are a usual sight that the many thousands who head to Sella Katharagama see. They are all over the roads, as ubiquitous as the trees. You wonder where they all come from and you wonder if anything at all is being done to control the ever increasing stray dog population. The good news is that something is.

	Owner getting her girl all prepared
They are ordinary people but they know what they have to do to save their four legged friends and themselves

Adopt a Dog in Sri Lanka – the popular facebook-based animal welfare group held their first sterilization camp in Sella Katharagama in 2011, starting with neutering 100 dogs, and a vision to keep going till there was some control over the situation. Over 600 stray dogs in the area have been neutered and vaccinated since, and the work continues.

A little bit giddy but waking up slowly after her big operation

One of the patients getting her treatment

“We have learned a lot since our first camp and we’re glad to see a very clear change in the mindset of the people of the area. The people of the area are more aware of the importance of doing something about the problem of stray dogs. They are eager to help and are grateful that something is being done about it,” Adopt a Dog in Sri Lanka Co-Founder Oshadie Korale stated.

“What’s wonderful is that it’s not just the villagers who are positive about ‘doing something about it’, the funds to perform the neutering come from various caring people far from Katharagama, from the city and even animal lovers overseas. We are so very grateful to everyone who contribute their hard-earned money to keep what we started going”, she added.

As always the surgeries are conducted by skilled veterinary surgeons experienced in conducting CNVR (Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release) programmes - recognized as the most humane and effective method of controlling the stray dog population. Neutered dogs are ear-notched to be identifiable in future, collared and vaccinated against rabies and mange.

“We are very particular about the recoveries as well. Both owned and stray dogs are neutered and they are kept within the camp grounds until they recover consciousness, given a yogurt treat and dropped back to the exact locations where they were picked up from. They are also given antibiotics to holdup the post-surgery pains. On the second day of a camp we often see the neutered ones fully-recovered and happily running about wearing their new red collars,” teammate Hasini Silva says.

The Group intends to continue the neutering programmes in Sella Katharagama every quarter. ADSL is two years old now, and has been responsible for re-homing over 600 puppies, rescuing over 90 dogs suffering from various conditions and situations and neutered over 800 dogs overall. The Group also recently commenced a feeding programme for over 125 dogs at a cost of Rs.3200 per day, which can be sponsored by anyone interested in being a part of it.

If you wish to join the cause, adopt a puppy, foster a puppy or help out in anyway, visit www.facebook/adoptadoginsrilanka.