Life of a stray dog is far from easy in Sri Lanka. Public awareness of dogs (and animals in general) is still very limited. There are an estimated 40 million stray dogs, who suffer from hunger and untreated diseases. Only too often they are shot, beaten to death or gassed.
Most dogs in Sri Lanka live on the streets and many are in an appalling state. Unsprayed females produce several litters of puppies every year, many of which are simply abandoned in front of temples or left on streets. These puppies are usually too small to have the slightest chance of survival unless provided with care. Most of them die of hunger or due to parasites or fall victim to animal abusers.
Dog care volunteers in Sri Lanka are critical as your fees helps fund the upkeep of the dog shelter where almost 200 dogs reside. In addition it also helps to pay for staff and dog food needed on a daily basis. The shelter also has a dog clinic for which medicines, vaccines and equipment is regularly purchased.
Our dog care volunteer program is suitable for dog lovers as well as veterinary students who want a hands on experience.
This Dog Care Volunteer Program is of utmost importance to provide these vulnerable dogs in Sri Lanka with a level of care that gives them the best chance to survive and thrive. The main goals of this animal care program is to provide:
• Consistent neutering programs to reduce the number of stray dogs
• Mass vaccinations in to reduce diseases and to minimize the risk of rabies to both humans and animals
• Treatment and care of injured and sick dogs
• Increase the understanding between dogs and humans
• To help the locals in Sri Lanka through social adoption projects
Many people who own dogs in Sri Lanka are poor and cannot afford vets’ fees, so there is a tremendous need
to provide these treatments free of charge that the clinic you will be working in helps with.
Dog Care Volunteer Gallery
What is involved
On this Dog Care Volunteer Project in Sri Lanka volunteers will work a morning or afternoon shift Monday to Friday assisting the shelter and clinic with various day-to-day tasks that are key for the successful running of the operations. Dedicated local exprts and teams will be on hand to guide you always. We request you to be a little flexible with what you do each day and not expect a strict structure.
Some of the activities you will be involved in include assisting with feeding, socialising of the dogs and spending time with sick and injured dogs (this will be the main focus), dog brushing and checking the dogs for ticks, nail cutting and ear cleaning, helping out with cleaning the dog boxes if needed, assisting in their intake of medicines if needed and other day-to-day tasks as appropriate.
If you are a veterinary student, tasks given to you will depend on your level of knowledge, experience and technical sophistication in this area. In general, vet students will preferably be placed in the “New Clinic”, which is the part of the clinic where sick and injured stray and owned dogs arrive. The students will assist the vet, e.g. holding the dog while wound cleaning, injections, examination. You may also help with washing the dogs and with the morning feeding. Depending on your level of sophistication, you might also assist during castrations and wound sutures.
Some details
SUNDAY
2024
2025
Jan 28,24
Jan 5, 12, 19, 26
Feb 4, 11, 18, 25
Feb 2, 9, 16, 23
Mar 3, 10, 17, 24
Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Apr 7, 14, 21, 28
Apr 6, 13, 20, 27
May 5, 12, 19, 26
May 4, 11, 18, 25
Jun 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Jun 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Jul 7, 14, 21, 28
Jul 6, 13, 20, 27
Aug 4, 11, 18, 25
Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Sep 1, 8, 15, 22
Sep 7, 14, 21, 28
Oct 6, 13, 20, 27
Oct 5, 12, 19, 26
Nov 3, 10, 17, 24
Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Dec 1, 8, 15
Dec 7,14
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