I feel a heartbeat at my feet as a dog ambles along, sniffs me cautiously and playfully places a trusting paw on my foot. The AWPA animal transit home in Dehiwela is overflowing with animals of all shapes and sizes – from lean, lanky, sand coloured dogs welcoming their caretaker raucously to the two puppies who gaze beseechingly at us from the depths of a cardboard box.
Hemantha Jayatilake, President of the Animal’s Welfare and Protection Association, (AWPA) explained that the AWPA, which started with just 20 dogs, now looks after over 430 animals in both their transit homes in Dehiwela and Kahathuduwa. Funded by donations from well-wishers and members, the AWPA has been in existence for over 40 years and is one of the few organizations looking after the welfare of stray animals.
One of its major problems is overcrowding. With animals being unceremoniously dumped at their gates on a daily basis and with inadequate space and funds being their largest constraints, they are forced to tend to a staggering amount of animals with limited resources.
Mrs. Jayatilake recounted heartrending instances where tiny puppies with eyes barely open were abandoned at their gates and pregnant females flung over the walls. “Despite the fact that we have stopped all admissions, we are compelled to take special cases such as these in,” she said. One particularly distressing case was a dog which was left to die by the roadside – covered in maggots, missing both hind legs and in an extremely pitiable state.
The shelter has also been a haven for abused animals over the years, with committee members frequently rescuing dogs scalded by hot water and battered animals and bringing them to the transit homes.
Ms. Jayatilake appealed to the public to contact the AWPA instead of abandoning animals on the road, as the AWPA not only conducts sterilization programmes completely free of charge but also has a referral scheme which helps settle the veterinary bills in certain instances.
She strongly urges people to show kindness to animals, adding that sterilization and neutering of animals is imperative to prevent unwanted litters and eradicate rabies.
Adopt a stray
Animal lovers can adopt strays at both AWPA shelters. While adult dogs aren’t re-homed very often as they take time to adjust to their surroundings, any one wishing to give a puppy a kind home can do so by calling 4941084 for further information. |
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