The Mannar Rabies Eradication Project is an innovative model designed to test and demonstrate the effectiveness of rabies eradication in Sri Lanka. Mannar Island, selected for its geographic seclusion from the mainland, provides an ideal testing ground to monitor the program’s success and effectiveness under controlled conditions. This two-year project encompasses 35 Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions across the island.

The project was successfully started in 2023 by collaborating with government and non-government organizations. Bridging Lanka funded the project, making it a reality. As the veterinary partner, Vets For Future planned and carried out the services, while local authorities and the Sri Lankan Army based in Mannar helped with the logistics and organization. Bridging Lanka’s founder Jeremy Liyanage and his dedicated team played a crucial part in the planning process and connected us with the local communities.

The primary goal of the Mannar Program is to vaccinate and sterilize approximately 75% of the estimated 4,500 free-roaming dogs on the island, thereby creating herd immunity and reducing the risk of rabies transmission among animals and humans. Upon reaching the 75% coverage target within two years, a follow-up phase will be conducted to monitor and reinforce progress, ensuring the long-term sustainability and success of the project.

A critical element of the program is maintaining the ecological balance through careful animal population management. Research on dog population carrying capacity underlines the importance of retaining a portion of the free-roaming dog population to avoid ecosystem imbalances, as observed in other regions like Kalutara, where a shortage of dogs disrupted local ecological interactions with wild animals. Thus, by targeting 75% sterilization, the remaining 25% can naturally repopulate over time, allowing the program to sustain an appropriate dog population density free of rabies.

Even though rabies cases from cats are less than from dogs, the Mannar project’s second phase will extend its focus to include cats, further contributing to reducing rabies incidence across the island. While stray cats are difficult to catch, vaccination and sterilization of cats are essential for fully eradicating rabies.

The Mannar region’s unique cultural and religious demographics, including a significant Muslim population, present specific challenges to capturing and handling dogs. Mannar is a culturally diverse place and engaging with the local communities is essential to ensure the success of the project.

Furthermore, the high temperatures on Mannar Island make it necessary to start the operations early morning to avoid animal heat stress. After sterilization and vaccination, dogs will be monitored for any signs of distress before being safely released in the evening when the temperature is low. Another challenge is that many of the island’s low-income areas lack basic animal welfare facilities, leading to poor health conditions among free-roaming dogs. Our Mannar project addresses this gap by providing basic health care to animals enhancing overall health and reducing the spread of diseases.

The Mannar project has been designed to show rapid, measurable results, setting an example for broader rabies eradication efforts across Sri Lanka. By achieving success in this controlled setting, the program could serve as a replicable blueprint for rabies control in other regions of the country with slight modifications.

In 2020, the head monk of the Ruwanwalisaya Temple in Anuradhapura raised concerns to the media regarding the growing number of stray dogs in the area, which was affecting the comfort and experience of temple visitors. Following this report, the Presidential Secretary’s office tasked the relevant authorities with addressing the issue. As a response, the Vets For Future (VFF) was entrusted with implementing a sustainable animal control project in the region.

This program was designed as a five-year initiative, with VFF organizing the project with the support of key figures and organizations. Ruwan Wijesinghe, the Nagarika Komasaris, provided organizational assistance, while Tashia Captain, the founder of Justice for Animals in Sri Lanka, contributed by funding the project. Municipal veterinary surgeons offered essential data and expertise about the area to ease up the project planning and execution. The program’s operational model divides Anuradhapura’s municipal region into three primary sectors, each containing 10 Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions, totaling 30 divisions.

In 2021, the program’s initial phase was completed successfully covering the area. However, in 2022, new challenges emerged due to the recurring issue of stray animals, particularly puppies, being abandoned near temples. With Anuradhapura being home to numerous temples, this practice has become a persistent problem. The VFF requested assistance from Anuradhapura’s health department to manage stray animal populations in the adjacent areas such as Manupa, Nanupa, and Mihinthale.

However, despite multiple appeals, the health department could not provide support. Following consultations with the Governor of Anuradhapura, VFF was advised to expand its program to include these areas independently as the initial phase. In mid-2022, VFF and Justice for Animals in Sri Lanka accepted the challenge of extending its animal control program to cover Manupa, Nanupa, and Mihinthale, in addition to its original target areas.

Successful implementation of the expanded program requires close coordination between several key stakeholders, including Justice for Animals, the VFF, the Municipal Council, Anuradhapura’s Health Department, and the Department of Animal Production and Health. This collaborative approach aims to establish a comprehensive, sustainable solution to manage the region’s stray animal population and reduce instances of dog abandonment at local temples. This project is a good example of an effective collaborative project.

Sigiriya, one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent tourist destinations, encountered significant issues with stray dogs, leading to incidents of tourists being bitten. Recognizing the impact on tourists and the locals, Shoba Wijekoon founder of the Adopt-a-Dog organization and the Vets For Future (VFF) proposed a dog population management program in 2016.

This program was initially conducted every four months to control and stabilize the dog population in and around Sigiriya. By 2018, the program expanded to include surrounding villages, helping prevent rapid repopulation through more comprehensive coverage. Data from these initiatives was meticulously recorded and submitted to the Central Cultural Fund, providing insights into population trends and the effectiveness of the program.

To maintain the stability of the dog population, VFF now conducts biannual management programs in Sigiriya, including an annual vaccination initiative to reduce the risk of rabies transmission. The program’s success prompted the Tourism Ministry to retract a previous plan to relocate stray dogs from the area, opting instead to support the existing management strategy established by VFF.

Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of visitors to Sigiriya left the dogs in the area without regular food sources, prompting the Adopt-a-Dog organization to step in and provide them with necessary feeding support. Despite the challenging conditions, the VFF and Adopt-a-Dog team continued to work during the pandemic, following strict precautionary measures to ensure safety while delivering care to the animals.

In addition to regular management efforts, the Sigiriya program provides emergency treatments as needed, ensuring the welfare of the dog population. Through the sustained collaboration of VFF, Adopt-a-Dog, and local authorities, the program has successfully controlled the stray dog population in Sigiriya, safeguarding both tourists, locals and animals.

In 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the VFF initiated a program in Polonnaruwa to address the issue of stray animal overpopulation near temples. The program was launched at the request of a main sponsor who sought to alleviate the suffering of animals in these sacred areas. The overpopulation of stray dogs has become a concern, not only affecting the well-being of the animals but also posing health and safety challenges to the surrounding community.

The program is conducted twice a year in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, which provides vaccines, including rabies vaccinations, ensuring the initiative’s success. The primary focus is on sterilizing and vaccinating stray dogs to control their population and prevent the spread of diseases. This not only improves the welfare of the animals but also protects the local community from health risks associated with unvaccinated strays.

Despite the logistical challenges presented by the pandemic, VFF successfully carried out the program with the support of local health authorities and community cooperation. The initiative has made a significant impact by reducing stray animal populations near temples, improving the overall health of the animals, and fostering public awareness about humane and sustainable animal management.

With its continued success, the program aims to expand its reach to ensure that more temples and their surrounding areas benefit from regular sterilization and vaccination efforts, striking a balance between animal welfare and public health.

The Dog Care Clinic in Galle, a well-established animal shelter and clinic, has become a frequent site for abandoned puppies due to its reputation for animal care. In 2019 to address the situation founder of Dog Care Clinic Marina Möbius started a dog and cat sterilization project covering the nearby villages.

This project in Galle plays a vital role in addressing the needs of stray animals in the area. Due to the high number of stray animals Vets For Future was asked to provide veterinary expertise and support to ensure the effectiveness of this project.

After the successful execution of the first phase of the project, In 2021 the program expanded into a bigger initiative covering the Akmeemana, Habaraduwa, Imaduwa, and Galle provincial sectors. It is now recognized as the largest animal sterilization program in Sri Lanka, operating five days a week to manage the local dog population effectively.

The project in Kalutara was started due to an uncommon incident, a shortage of dogs led to an overpopulation of wild foxes, disrupting the balance between humans and wildlife in Kalutara. Historically in the area, the presence of dogs created a natural barrier that kept foxes away from urban areas. However, with fewer dogs, foxes began entering the city and posed a threat to human safety through increased biting incidents.

To address this, the Vets For Future (VFF) was tasked with restoring the dog population in Kalutara. By introducing sterilized dogs and implementing a regular, well-organized sterilization program. VFF established and maintained an optimal dog population that helps to naturally deter foxes from entering populated areas. This intervention restores ecological balance, reducing fox encounters and ensuring safer coexistence between humans and local wildlife.

The Kurunegala Stray Animal Welfare Project is a groundbreaking initiative launched through the collaboration of Vets for Future (VFF), Baw Baw Animal Welfare Organization, and key government entities, including the Ministry of Health, the Department of Animal Production and Health, and the Kurunegala Municipal Council. This was the first time such a variety of organizations have united for a common cause in animal welfare.

The project offers free sterilization surgeries, anti-rabies vaccinations, and treatment for animal illnesses, aiming to create a healthier and safer environment for both animals and communities. Baw Baw Animal Welfare Organization played a pivotal role in raising awareness through posters, leaflets, and stakeholder coordination, while VFF provides expert veterinary care. This initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing stray animal welfare challenges in Sri Lanka and fostering a compassionate future for all.

The Kayankerni Army Camp in Batticaloa was facing a problem of locals abandoning stray animals near the army camp. Higherups in the army camp together with Justice for Animals Sri Lanka, and Vets For Future started the project to address the situation. This project provided free sterilization surgeries, anti-rabies vaccinations, and treatments for illnesses, focusing on improving the well-being of stray animals and addressing the overpopulation of stray dogs in the area.

The collaboration between the Army Camp and Justice for Animals Sri Lanka highlights a commendable effort to address the stray animal population issue humanely and sustainably. By bringing together resources and expertise, this initiative set a precedent for community-driven animal welfare projects in the region.