3 minute read
Lucas Helps Dogs
Charity founder organises vet clinic for Sri Lankan street dogs
An animal lover from Dorset is heading on a volunteer trip to Sri Lanka in a bid to improve the lives of street dogs in the poverty-stricken country.
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Alena Warburton first visited Sri Lanka in 2019 on her honeymoon. She was left devastated by the plight of dogs living on the streets.
Since then the 36-year-old has self-funded two trips and set up a charity called Lucas Helps Dogs. It funds spay and neuter clinics, rabies vaccinations, emergency treatments and aims to educate locals in animal welfare.
Accountant Alena, said: “When I was first in Sri Lanka I saw a waiter brutally kick a heavily pregnant dog at a restaurant. At the time it really shocked me but I now know that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
“Every day dogs are born into a life of misery on the dangerous roads, where drivers aim for them, disease is rife and food and water is scarce.
“While the charity pays for emergency treatment to help injured and disabled dogs, we really want to help the situation overall so are determined to spay and neuter as many street dogs as possible. Rabies is also prevalent over there, with children and dogs dying of the disease in recent months, so we ensure every dog we treat is given a rabies vaccination.”
Alena runs the charity with two friends and last year they carried out their first clinic in a place called Ella. They funded treatment of 50 animals and emergency treatment for a dog with an exposed bone in his paw.
Since returning home they have spent nearly every weekend fund-raising and continuing to support dog rescuers by paying for further treatments, rabies vaccinations, and helping rehome Sri Lankan dogs abroad.
They had planned to carry out a clinic for 500 dogs when they visit Sri Lanka in January, but the economic crisis has sent costs soaring and means they will have enough for only half that number.
“It’s devastating after working so hard all year that we might not reach our target, and now we are desperately trying to raise as much money as we can. The cost of neutering and vaccinating one street dog is now around £25 but it is the only way to reduce the number of dogs on the street and more being born into a life of misery.
“We completely fund transport, travel and all other costs ourselves and ensure all the money we raise goes to helping the dogs.
“We are doing our best to help as much as we can, and appreciate any support to continue our work changing the lives of Sri Lankan street dogs.”
