This is part VI of my 3-month journey in Sri Lanka, as a volunteer for WECare Worldwide.
I came to Sri Lanka with a mission: to work with street dogs. The island nation faces a significant challenge, with an estimated one to three million street dogs among a human population of twenty-two million. Local organizations work tirelessly every day to vaccinate against rabies and perform spay and neuter operations. My role in this effort took me to a mobile CNVR (catch-neuter-vaccinate-return) clinic in Gandara, a small fishing village over 150 kilometers from the bustling capital of Colombo. Our daily goal was ambitious: sterilize 25 free-roaming dogs.
Imagine my surprise when I walked over ten thousand steps in Colombo — 7.4km to be exact — and saw only one street dog. This stark contrast to the rural reality I had witnessed left me pondering: Had the capital cracked the code on managing its free-roaming dog population? Could applying the same principles across the country solve Sri Lanka’s stray dog issue entirely?
A Walk Through Colombo
The Affluent Colombo
Emerging from a two-hour bus ride, I found myself deep in Colombo’s hospital district, bustling with doctors, nurses, and patients – all humans. Everyone was in a rush, going from one building to another. Emergencies were happening everywhere, no one had any spare time even to give me a curious glance. I was as invisible as the street dogs I had come to help.
As I made my way to the Colombo Town Hall in Cinnamon Gardens (Colombo 7), I was struck by the European-esque atmosphere. Green spaces, boutique shops, and indoor cafes replaced curbside roti shops. These shops did not pile up an overflowing stack of food waste in front of their shops; I assume they are properly disposed of. Luxury cars pulled into low-rise villas, where security guards manned the entrance. They didn’t bark at this stranger walking by. If these households kept any dogs — and I am sure they do — they were well-confined indoors, not allowed out to chase after that delivery truck from the grocery store Keells.
Turning the corner at Kollupitiya Market, I finally spotted the lone dog of my self-guided tour. Amidst the fusion of scents — fish, vegetables, herbs, and flowers — and the throng of office workers from prestigious companies nearby, the dog casually strolled down the street, seemingly oblivious to the human bustle.
My walk continued to Galle Face Green, a sprawling open space alive with kite-flying children and couples seeking privacy behind umbrellas. Despite online reports of dogs and cat-sized rats roaming the area in the early mornings after the nightly street food business, I saw no evidence of their presence. Crossing the road to One Galle Face Mall, a giant shopping complex, I gazed across the bridge at the stately Presidential Secretariat and Ministry of Finance buildings. I realized I had walked over 10,000 steps since beginning my journey in the hospital district.
The Other Side of Colombo
My journey concluded at Colombo Fort Station, a vibrant hub that stood in stark contrast to the serene streets I had traversed earlier. Here, the cityscape transformed dramatically. Street-side food stalls nestled at the base of densely packed, open residential buildings, their aromas mingling with the pulse of urban life. Crowds spilled onto the streets, where discarded fruit peels and food scraps created an impromptu buffet.
It was here that I finally encountered the street dogs I had been searching for all day. They lounged near food stalls and wove through the swarms of commuters. The contrast with the dog-free zones of Colombo 7 was striking, as if an invisible boundary existed — one that the dogs seemed to respect, or perhaps fear.
This disparity in canine presence across Colombo’s districts reflects broader socioeconomic patterns observed worldwide. A study in Blantyre, Malawi, for instance, revealed a significantly higher presence of free-roaming dogs in densely populated, low-income areas compared to spacious, affluent neighborhoods.
A Nuanced Approach to Street Dog Management
In many countries, culling remains the prevalent policy for managing stray dog populations. Thankfully, my research revealed a more humane approach in Sri Lanka. Since 2006, the country has implemented a “no kill” policy for stray dogs, marking a significant shift from previous culling campaigns. Occasional round-ups still occur, as evidenced during the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting when strays were temporarily removed from the streets. Organizations like the Animal Wellness Trust have also stepped in, providing shelters for abandoned street dogs and cats. Complementing these initiatives, CNVR programs remain active, with a substantial investment of $1 million over four years of interventions.
But only the affluent areas of Colombo seemed to have solved the puzzle of keeping street dogs at bay. They have done so not through aggressive means, but by understanding and manipulating the fundamental behaviors of these animals. Stray dogs, after all, don’t roam aimlessly; they gravitate towards reliable food sources and areas where they’re tolerated or even welcomed. By limiting easily accessible food sources and enforcing stricter pet confinement, these communities have created an environment less conducive to uncontrolled canine populations.
Still, it’s crucial to approach this issue with nuance and compassion. The International Companion Animal Management Coalition (ICAM), backed by organizations like FOUR PAWS and the Humane Society International (HSI), provides valuable guidance on this matter.
In their Humane Dog Population Management guide, ICAM urges caution when considering the removal of free-roaming dogs’ food sources. Instead of abruptly eliminating these sources entirely, they recommend creating a more controlled feeding environment that protects both the nutrition of the dogs and the well-being of the community.
To minimize disturbance to other citizens, community feeders should move feeding locations to safe areas away from traffic. Responsible management of food waste and scraps is also crucial. Communities should carefully dispose of commercial food waste from meat stalls and food markets. Governments should invest in proper waste management systems to minimize food waste available to stray dogs, contributing to both dog population control and overall urban cleanliness and public health.
The role of community feeders and dog owners in addressing the free-roaming dog issue is paramount. Community feeders should be encouraged to care for dogs beyond providing food and water, ensuring they receive free vaccination for rabies and other diseases. Education on responsible pet ownership is crucial, encompassing proper confinement of dogs, understanding the importance of spaying and neutering, and providing adequate care, including nutrition, healthcare, and exercise. By promoting these practices, communities can help resolve the pet overpopulation crisis at its source.
Conclusion: A Complex Challenge
As I returned to my shift at the mobile CNVR clinic days later, overseeing 25 dogs each day as the program continued, I reflected on the complexity of the issue. The ballooning dog population results from a delicate interplay between casual human-dog relationships centered around only feeding and an unsanitized environment filled with food scraps.
Resolving Sri Lanka’s street dog problem will not be easy. The “Colombo Method” offers valuable insights, but a comprehensive, nuanced approach — one that considers the welfare of both humans and animals — will be crucial in finding a sustainable solution to Sri Lanka’s street dog challenge. As we continue our efforts to sterilize dogs day after day, we must also pause to consider the broader implications and work towards a holistic solution that addresses the root causes of this complex issue.
This is part VI of my 3-month journey in Sri Lanka, as a volunteer for WECare Worldwide.