Helping thousands of animals after floods and landslides hit Sri Lanka

Our mobile veterinary response teams are working in affected areas of southwest Sri Lanka, saving the lives of thousands of animals.

Our international response manager, Steven Clegg, said: 

“The scale of this disaster is catastrophic for both people and animals. Our disaster response team and specialist vets are on the ground to give desperately needed help.

“Animals are in dire need; injured, starving, open to the elements and at high risk of disease. By helping them, we will also help the people who rely so heavily on them for their livelihoods, transport and food.”

A malnourished local dog in Malabe, a suburb of Colombo.

We’re providing:

• immediate aid to animals injured from the floods;
• emergency vet kits, including dressings for wounds, and treatments for diarrhoea, pneumonia and other potential post-flood diseases;
• assessment of animals’ longer-term needs, in partnership with the government.

Dr. Akash Maheshwari examines a local dog in Malabe, a suburb of Colombo.

Animal protection is vital

While disaster response rightly prioritises people’s immediate needs, the long-term recovery from disasters is inextricably linked with the well-being of their animals.

Animals suffer just like people do.

Our response work is vital in helping them recover as quickly and effectively as possible.

Many people in Sri Lanka heavily rely on agriculture to make ends meet. At this critical time, saving animals will help provide stability for affected communities.

Keep an eye out for updates about our work protecting animals in Sri Lanka, and in the meantime you can learn more about our disaster management work.

Tushari, a local woman, fosters stray dogs in Malabe, a suburb of Colombo - with her favourite dog, three legged Pedro.

Malabe, a suburb of Colombo.