Projects & Partners
International Animal Welfare Partners
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2 million dogs and cats live on the streets of Sri Lanka – without protection, without medical care, without someone to care. There is no support whatsoever for animals. A German woman called Eva Ruppel, known in Sri Lanka as Padma has dedicated her life to street animals. She runs a shelter in the middle of Sri Lanka near Kandy for abandoned and injured animals. Many locals volunteer but she struggles monthly to keep the shelter open. She has over 300 dogs and upwards of 200 cats at the shelter with more abandoned kittens and puppies being left at the door of the shelter weekly.
Like many people who dedicate themselves to abandoned animals, she started small and this endeavour has just grown and grown. She organises a weekly clinic so animals can be neutered and treated. That is why AWI has decided to support her sterilisation clinics. Her vet Dr Aruni comes in on her day off to spay upwards of 25 animals every Sunday when there are funds to support it. Dr Aruni works at cost, again dedicating her time to stray animals.
Similar to India free roaming animals are often loosely owned. They are known as community animals. They live on the street and are fed occasionally by villagers. They receive no veterinary care and breed continuously. The Tikiri Trust provides some help for these animals.
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The Seeshah Kennel Trust is a registered NGO (non-governmental organisation) in Madurai, Tamil Nadu in southern India. It is run by a young man Raja Shahul Hameedh who arranges adoption drives for puppies and kittens that have no homes. He also works with animal friendly organisations to provide pop up sterilisation clinics, supported by AWI.
One such organisation is IPAN (Indian Project for Animals and Nature) an established charity since 1997 run by a couple Nigel and Ilona Otter. Ilona is a vet and the clinical director. They work with Worldwide Veterinary Service India (WVSI) who are an international charity supporting local sterilisation clinics worldwide with volunteer vets. They also run the Hill View Farm Animal Refuge in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. They work alongside a dedicated team of staff who come from the Honey-Kurumba and Irula tribal communities who surround the farm.
Animal Welfare Projects
London Cat Colonies
AWI is permitted by its trust document to spay and vaccinate anywhere in the world. So whilst waiting for the various permissions to filter through in India, the trustees decided to work with local amateur feeders in London.
These feeders take on a wild colony of cats by feeding them. The cats have no chips and therefore no owners. They live outside. Feeders are kind individuals who start feeding them and often become overwhelmed by the number of kittens being born. AWI has helped with a few colonies and abandoned cats this year.
All the cats have been trapped, checked for chips, spayed, vaccinated, chipped and treated for fleas and worms. Most have been rehomed but some are still living wild but being fed and given shelter.
First Popup Clinic Summer 2024
In July 2024, TSKF partnered with World Veterinary Service (WVS) India to deliver a free spay and neuter programme for dogs and cats in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Although these animals were technically owned, many were free-roaming. Throughout the month-long camp, WVS-trained veterinarians carried out surgeries and administered rabies vaccinations. After their procedures, the animals were returned to their owners or local feeders, along with post-operative medicines and clear care instructions. TSKF also conducted follow-ups to monitor recovery and ensure the animals’ wellbeing.
The initiative attracted participants not only from Madurai city but also from surrounding towns such as Dindigul and Rajapalayam, as well as rural areas including Thirumangalam, Koothiyargundu, Kusavangundu, Cittampatti, Maathur and Natham; highlighting the widespread need for managing free-roaming dog and cat populations.
The camp ran until 10 August 2024, during which time over 500 animals were successfully spayed and vaccinated.
Second Popup Clinic, India 2025
The programme saw strong participation from local owners and feeders, who brought in a wide range of animals for treatment. Among the dogs, a total of 226 were spayed, including 33 males and 193 females, with most aged between two and four years. The dogs represented a diverse mix of breeds, including Indie, Labrador, Pug, Shih Tzu, Kanni, German Shepherd, Chippipaarai, Rajapalayam, and many mixed breeds.
For cats, 39 were spayed in total, comprising 16 males and 23 females. These included both Indie and Persian cats, all of which were similarly brought in by owners or feeders.
Post-operative care was closely managed to ensure the animals’ wellbeing:
Every animal was followed up on the second and fifth day after surgery
No major post-operative complications were reported
Fewer than five cases of minor superficial irritation were noted, for which follow-up consultations were arranged
Overall, the outcomes reflect both the effectiveness of the procedures and the diligence of the follow-up care provided.
Adoption Drive November India, 2024
