Christmas is all about giving and this festive season, as we swap grand celebrations for small, intimate gatherings, these rescues could certainly use some holiday cheer and support. The AWPA (Animal Welfare and Protection Association) is Sri Lanka’s oldest animal welfare organization established back in 1964 with its first shelter in Dehiwala. Since then, they’ve opened a second purpose-built shelter in Kahathuduwa and is currently sheltering a total of approximately 400 dogs and 100 cats at both locations.

Run by a dedicated committee of volunteers headed by Mrs Hemantha Jayathilake, the current President of the organization, the AWPA not only rescues injured and sick street dogs and cats, but they also conduct island-wide sterilisations and referral programmes. The sterilisation programmes are done free of charge and cover 50 dogs or cats a day.  In 2019, AWPA conducted nearly 2000 sterilisations and has continued the programme in 2020 in both pre-and post-pandemic times recording 1450 sterilisations as of September 2020.  Alternatively, their referral programme allows you to take a community dog or cat to the nearest local AWPA approved vet for sterilisation at the cost of the AWPA. 

Visiting the Dehiwala shelter, we are bombarded by a flurry of wagging tails and noses. The Dehiwala shelter houses 200 dogs and 75 cats and we tried out best to meet and greet them all. We met Punchi who was a victim of a train accident causing her right leg to be completely amputated and her left to be partially amputated with slight damage caused to her front paw as well. Punchi is absolutely lovable and stole our hearts at first sight. She’s currently looking for a loving home. 

With one hand occupied with head scratches for Punchi, we also meet Whita – a mature snow-white street dog who is fondly known as the ‘PR King’ at the shelter. Both of Whita’s hind legs are paralyzed and he drags them behind when he’s moving and yet this disability hinders nothing of his ability to be active as he trailed behind us demanding our second freehand for some love and attention. Whita is a permanent resident at the shelter, as are many of the other rescues at the home who are injured, sick or disabled.  

The AWPA also fosters abandoned puppies and acts as a transitional house until they find their forever homes. Over the years they have rehomed hundreds of cats and dogs through their advertising and rehoming campaigns. On our visit, the shelter had 4 puppies just a mere 6 – 8 weeks old, looking for a place to call home. 

Yet, as rewarding as it is to provide and care for these rescues, it is also a costly affair.  The AWPA incurs a feeding cost of Rs. 9,000 every day and the medical expenses of treating the injured and long-term care rescues cost the organization millions of rupees. Given the current situation in the country, the AWPA is short of funds to run its shelters and requires the kind consideration and support of animal lovers with pending bills and operation costs. 

With trips and parties cancelled this festive season, the AWPA and their furry rescues have a humble request this Christmas for donations to help them continue the work that they do. Every rupee counts in making sure that these rescues not only have a special Christmas, but also a good life.  

You can donate directly to the AWPA account and all donations are receipted for auditing and transparency purposes.
Donate via bank transfer: 
Bank: Bank of Ceylon
Branch: 034 Kollupitiya
Account Name: The Animal’s Welfare & Protection Association
Account No: 0001629496
(Please email [email protected] with your name and address or call on 0773450031 with your details so that the AWPA can send a receipt)