Dog Walk and Carnival by Rotaract Club of Colombo Central

In keeping with the aims of Community Service in Rotaract, the Rotaract Club of Colombo Central has organized a “Dog Walk and Carnival” which is scheduled to be held on October 20,  2019 at Stanley Jansz grounds, Colombo from 8:00 AM onwards.

It is designed as an entertaining and interactive fundraiser event for all canines and dog lovers in the country. It is a significant Community Service project organized by the Club conceptualized around the larger theme of promoting the protection of animals against harassment, a statement from the organisers said.

The walk is scheduled to start at 8:00 AM, and the participation of over 1000 interested parties is expected on the day of the country's first communal dog walk. At the carnival stalls dedicated to the well-being of dogs will also play an important role, where a dog show, dog adoption, fun games for dogs and a health camp for dogs will take place. Stalls dedicated to food and beverages will also be a part of the event.

One of the main objectives of the Dog Walk and Carnival is also to raise awareness about the outdated Cruelty to Animals Act No. 22 of 1955 of Sri Lanka, and to bring people together to make a change to this law which has not been amended for decades.

Thus, as an integral aspect of the project, the Rotaract Club of Colombo Central also hopes to make awareness about the Bill of Animal Rights designed to amend the Act, which is currently under discussion at the Sri Lankan Parliament. A petition will be initiated at the event to gather the support of the public for the passing of the Bill. 

Alongside preparations for the event, an online competition to choose The Most Popular Dog is currently underway on the Facebook event page.

Participants can enter the competition by posting a creative picture of them and their dog on the Facebook event with the hashtags #DogWalkAndCarnival #RACCC #Rotaract3220 #50yearsofcelebrations #MineIsTheBestDog.

The winners will be announced on  October 20 at the Carnival itself, based on the number of likes a photo receives on Facebook.