The Animals’ Welfare and Protection Association (AWPA) is the oldest animal welfare organization established in 1964 and runs 2 shelters for rescued street dogs and cats in Dehiwala and Kahathuduwa.
Apart from this service they continue with their rescue efforts of injured or sick street dogs and cats, conducting sterilization programs for low income pet owners and raising awareness on the plight of stray dogs and cats. The Association is run by a committee who are all volunteers and depend on donations from kind hearted animal lovers to run their shelters and conduct these activities. Given the current situation in the country we are short of funds to run our shelters and our finances are in the red with pending sterilization and rescue bills.
Sterilization campaigns in both urban and rural areas are held whenever funds are available for community animals and those owned by low-income households. A Veterinary team with a mobile Clinic works on the field at a selected location; to sterilize all animals brought in. For this to happen, a local coordinator has to inform the general public in the area of this campaign, and influence/ inform people to bring in their owned dogs and cats, as well as those on the street who they may look after. The Vet
team includes dog catchers –who will catch and bring in the strays around the respective area. Coordinators/ carers will be responsible for the aftercare. The AWPA uses their social media platforms to raise awareness about these programs as well.
The AWPA also runs a referral program, where you may take a community dog or cat to your local AWPA approved vet for sterilization at the cost of the AWPA. Through these outreach schemes, amidst the current covid-19 situation in the country approximately 1,000 animals have been sterilized in 2020 pre and post lockdown. Campaigns have been conducted in Dehiwala, Athurugiriya, Monaragala, Maharagama, Mount Lavinia, Kalutara, Hanwella and Kaduwela. There are plans in the pipeline to hold more campaigns during the rest of the year and the demand is continuous, from hospitals to garbage dumps and pets of low income pet owners; we can do so much more with more funding.
However, we As we all know, if a female dog litters an average of four pups every six months, she will have 5,000 descendants over the next five years. A pup or kitten can be sterilized from the age of six months. Female cats can be sterilized as soon as the kittens are weaned (four to six weeks). Males – both cats and dogs – need to be sterilized, too, as they pose a risk of mating with unsterilized females. Sterilization is humane dog population control and will result in less unwanted puppies and accident victims and is an integral part of dog / cat welfare.
Sterilizing of animals has a host of other advantages for our cuddly critters. It is beneficial in preventing certain medical conditions, such as pyometra (uterus infection) ovarian and testicular cancer, anal tumors, and various forms of prostate disease in males, and is known to reduce aggression in males – making communities and families safer. need sponsorships to sustain these sterilization programs and appeal for support.
We humbly request you to help us out by donating towards our pending bills. Every Rs. 100 matters! You can donate directly to the AWPA account. Our accounts are audited and our financial statements are shared with our members every year at the AGM. Your donations are receipted as it is mandatory for audit purposes!
The AWPA has opened a separate account to manage the sterilization programs and the account details are as follows:
Account name: Animals’ Welfare and Protection Association
Account number: 86131576
Bank name: Bank of Ceylon
Bank branch: Kollupitiya Super Grade 034
Please email info.awpa@gmail.com or call Iromi Salgado on 0776565181 for more details about our future sterilization programs or if you wish to donate or sponsor a program. Once you do make a donation please inform her so we can make sure you receive a receipt.
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