The Dogstar Foundation was founded in 2006 to provide free veterinary care to dogs and cats in the Kegalle area of Sri Lanka and has expanded to other areas via a series of mobile clinics and outreach projects offering free neutering and vaccinations
The animals that 'check in' to our clinics are not just pets, but also the local 'community' dogs (in the UK, we would call them strays). Un-neutered and unvaccinated companion animals (pets) and community animals interact daily and this creates an ideal environment for the spread of diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Ever-increasing population of dogs and cats overwhelm the resources of the local communities causing suffering and distress.
892 animals sterilised since February 2007
By educating owners to the benefits of sterilisation and providing free neutering/spaying clinics The Dogstar Foundation is actively reducing the numbers of unwanted puppies and kittens. We also offer free vaccinations including ARV (Anti Rabies Vaccine) to all animals at our clinics to help prevent the spread of diseases to both the animal and human population.
People and animals are dying every year in Sri Lanka from bites, a scratch or even the saliva from an animal infected with Rabies, it is an entirely preventable death. The Dogstar Foundation has recently funded a study into levels of antibodies in community animals. The Dogstar Foundation is proud to support World Rabies Day 2009 as an outreach partner
We also provide other veterinary services for these animals free of charge, which is crucial.What would be considered a minor cut in the UK is a major problem in hotter climates, where infections can rage out of control very quickly. External skin parasites such as fleas and ticks are also treated as are skin condition such as mange.
We are always appealing for medicines, medical sundries, scrubs, bandages, medical equipment that will help us make a difference to the dogs and cats of Sri Lanka. Volunteer Vets and Nurses , Students and those with an interest in animal welfare are always welcome to join us.
The Dogstar Foundation works in conjunction with the Clinical Sciences Department of the University of Peradeniya where all Sri Lankan vets under go their training, we also work with existing Sri Lankan animal welfare organisations including the Millennium Elephant Foundation in Kegalle who have provided us with invaluable support and have been able to direct us to communities in need of our assistance.
The Dogstar Foundation also work with a small Temple in Randenyia , The Monk and his 2 young Samanera( Novices ) care for a number of stray dogs and puppies that are left by people unable to care for them. Dogstar Foundation support them by making regular food donations, providing free veterinary care and have carried out 4 sterilisation clinics since 2007 to prevent the temple animals breeding further.
Since November 2007 the Dogstar Foundation has made a grants available to local Sri Lankan vets in the Kegalle area allowing them to offer subsidised and free treatments.
The Dogstar Foundation is working with the Millennium Elephant Foundation to provide a small animal service via MEF's mobile veterinary Unit allowing us to reach often overlooked rural communities.
This site is designed to help you find out more about the work that we're doing, so have a look around.To find out the latest news and updates, you can check out our 'blog links' section, which has updated blogs from many of the people who make this work possible.You can also follow the 'Patient' blog, where we document the progress of some of the animals that come to the clinic.
When you look around the site, you'll see that these dogs and cats aren't so different to those we're used to seeing in our homes.You can help the Dogstar Foundation give these dogs and cats the care they deserve.
