The “Guardians” program  launched to encourage the public to care for street animals while taking responsibility for their health and welfare, is being introduced as a community-based approach to managing the country’s stray animal population.

The initiative, launched by the Hakmana Pradeshiya Sabha together with Baw Animal Welfare and the Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population, encourages people who feed community animals to become their “Guardians”. According to the Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population, feeding a hungry animal is an act of compassion, but responsible animal welfare must go beyond providing food.“Those who feed animals have a responsibility to ensure that they are sterilized, vaccinated against rabies and receive treatment if they become sick or injured,” the Association said.The Association also noted that adequate nutrition can increase the reproductive capacity of animals, potentially contributing to an increase in the street animal population.

However, it said that this should not be used as a reason to stop feeding animals.“Do not stop feeding them. These animals are suffering. Please continue to feed them,” the Association said, while emphasizing that feeding should be combined with sterilization, vaccination and responsible monitoring.

Under the program people are encouraged to inform the relevant animal welfare teams when new animals appear at feeding locations or when animals become sick or injured.The required services, including sterilization and rabies vaccination, will be provided free of charge, according to the program organizers.The initiative is expected to be further developed with the aim of introducing the “Guardians” program across Sri Lanka.The Association said the program seeks to build on Sri Lanka’s culture of compassion by encouraging people to take long-term responsibility for the animals they feed.

“Feeding a hungry animal is an act of compassion. But protecting that animal’s health, preventing unwanted births, vaccinating it against rabies and taking responsibility for its wellbeing is what turns compassion into responsible animal welfare,” the Association said.