Vaccination project

During the visit of Rob J. Heijtink, founder of the MH-Foundation, to Sri Lanka from June 14, 2024 to June 28, 2024, important steps were taken regarding the street dog projects.

In the past year, we as MH-Foundation have started making weekly rounds of the street dogs to feed them and, if necessary, bring in the appropriate authorities. However, we realize that just feeding the dogs does not solve the “street dog problem.” But somewhere you have to start.

During this visit we had several appointments, including with the Commissioner at Colombo Municipality Council. Here we discussed cooperation. Some of the things we discussed were:

• Accurately mapping the number of street dogs.
• Accurately mapping the number of female and male dogs.
• Accurately mapping the number of already spayed dogs.
• Accurately mapping the number of vaccinated dogs.

We also discussed the possibilities of rolling out the “Learning by Coloring” project started by the MH Foundation as a school project. In this, children learn through coloring pages:

• How to deal with a street dog.
• How to live with a street dog (as a pet/companion).
• What to do if a dog bites you unexpectedly (out of fear or startle reaction).

As MH-Foundation, we have decided with our local partners to organize coloring contests at various schools. Whenever possible, we carry out a vaccination project for the (street) dogs at the same time.

The biggest news of this visit is our first vaccination project for street dogs in Bopitiya.

On July 18, 2024, our first joint (MH-Foundation & PET VET) street dog vaccination project will take place.

Date: July 18, 2024
Address: Bopitiya, Pamunugama, Gampaha District, Junction Church Rd – Bopitiya Kandana Rd.

During this first vaccination project, the (street) dogs present will be checked by our veterinarians, the dogs will receive vaccinations and people will be educated.

The ultimate goal of the MH-Foundation is:

• The large-scale mapping of the number of street dogs in Sri Lanka.
• Checking the dogs.
• Vaccinating the dogs.
• Feeding the dogs.
• Sterilizing the dogs.
• Training the dogs.
• Training and educating people.
• Creating shelters where the dogs can be taken in, groomed, administered medical care, trained and prepared for adoption.