Embark records 201213 busiest year

Embark carried out a record 10,411 interventions on behalf of street dogs in the 2012-13 financial year, during which the pace of activity was stepped up, the community animal welfare project of Odel has reported.

This included the vaccination of 6,831 community dogs against rabies, the sterilisation of 1,300 and the treatment of 1,799 injured canines. Embark also found homes for 456 dogs rescued off the streets and placed 25 disabled dogs in the care of adopters.

Between April 2012 and March 2013, the programme, which is part funded by proceeds from the sale of clothing and apparel of the Embark label, also reached an average of 30,000 people a month with its educational programmes that seek to improve the interaction between humans and community animals.

“The progress made in the concluded financial year is very encouraging,” said Embark founder Otara Gunewardene. “A lot of credit must go to the dedicated fosters, volunteers, donors and the thousands of Embark fans who wear the label and support the cause.”

Best Care Animal Hospital Director Dr. Subash Dananjaya Karunaratna said the work of Embark has contributed significantly to reducing the health and social issues that confront communities that have a high population of stray dogs. “Besides combating the threat of rabies, Embark has created greater awareness of the importance of scientific management of the interaction between animals and the community,” he said.

Supported by a unique cause-related marketing effort that has the Embark fashion label as its vanguard, the Embark programme’s evolution and growth keeps pace with the growth in the popularity of the Embark label in Sri Lanka and several overseas locations.