AWC begins week-long veterinary support program for animals in disaster shelters
– The Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) has launched a seven-day program to deliver medical care, including rabies vaccinations, to animals staying in safety centres alongside people displaced by the recent adverse weather.AWC Executive Committee Member Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara told the Daily Mirror that the AWC has been formed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in collaboration with animal welfare organizations.
The program is funded by Vets for Future, Baw Baw Animal Welfare, and Help a Dog, and involves mobile veterinary teams visiting disaster-affected areas and temporary shelters to locate and treat animals requiring assistance.Dr. Nanayakkara said that about 30% of the animals treated so far mostly dogs and cats are those brought to safety centres by their owners.
He added that the effort aims to protect the health of displaced animals and prevent the spread of diseases such as rabies during the recovery period.
