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They too need love
By Esther Williams
"Why animals at this time, you may ask, but animals share the pain, same as us," explained Sri Lanka resident Robert Blumberg, chief coordinator of the Tsunami People-Animal Disaster Relief Coalition.

The tsunami has left a mark on pets like cats and dogs as well as livestock in the affected areas. While some of them have lost their owners and homes, thereby adding to the stray population, many animal lovers having lost everything else, are left with just their pets.

Recognizing the critical link between human health/safety and animal welfare concerns, Mr. Blumberg took steps to coordinate the many offers of aid and bring together a partnership that would safeguard public health and improve conditions long term for humans and animals.

Most wild animals were able to escape from the tsunami at Yala, but in nearby Hambantota, some of the highly productive livestock known to produce some of the country's best curd were killed.

Animal welfare organisations that visited the region noted that small farming communities in the eastern coast lost a considerable number of animals. Amidst the clearing of human bodies and debris, the carcasses of the animals were the last to be cleared. Hence, a detailed assessment is yet to be done.

Mr. Blumberg pointed out that the priority for the moment is to vaccinate animals. Over the past two weeks a team comprising representatives from Humane Society International (HIS), International Fund for Animals Welfare (IFAW), Noah's Wish and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) in cooperation with the local Pets-V-Care have initiated a crash programme and to date have vaccinated about 4000 dogs, cats and rabbits against rabies.

Travelling into the affected areas of Muttur, Hambantota, Galle, Matara and Arugum Bay, the team has inoculated cats and dogs and treated wounds and other communicable diseases such as mange. "In each area we are seeking government support and working with local authorities such as the municipalities and health inspectors," Mr. Blumberg says. Going by the ratio of one animal to eight people, the organisers think that there may be 100,000 displaced animals.

Panic was created when some animals were seen foaming at the mouth, a result of having consumed salt water. Further, wandering about without food has made some of them vicious. As it takes some time for rabies to be confirmed, all they can do at present is to ensure the animals are regularly vaccinated, to prevent a rabies outbreak.

With support from the International Fund for Animal Welfare and local veterinarians, vet camps have been organised in and around Unawatuna providing services free of charge. Its representative Ashoka Dangolla from the Vet Faculty of the Peradeniya University said sterilisation programmes are done using a new technique by which a very small incision is made making it possible to discharge the animal the same day. Final year students of the Vet Faculty are volunteers at the camps.

According to Dr. Palitha Yapa of Pets-V-Care they have sent all their 14 vets and vans to the field to provide care to the displaced animals. In most places the public has been very appreciative of their intervention in treating wounds, skin problems, infections and carrying out operations in some cases. "Many also want us to help them restart their livelihood - they need cattle and sheds," Dr. Yapa said.

The coalition has been heartened by the support received from the local and international community. Keells has been sending them truckloads of scrap meat. They are now looking for more volunteers to continue their work.

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