May 26, 2011
Tsunami Animal-People Alliance (TAPA)
Following the Asian tsunami in late 2004, the Sri Lankan government intended to cull roaming dogs to avoid the potential spread of rabies. A coalition of local and international groups joined forces to implement a vaccination program, to alleviate the fear and prevent the killing. As a result of this campaign, the Tsunami Memorial Animal Welfare Trust was born. It was eventually renamed the Tsunami Animal People Alliance (TAPA).
TAPA was established to work in tsunami-affected areas and refugee camps to manage community dog populations through spay/neuter. The Sri Lankan TAPA team delivers field clinic services, including vaccination, sterilization, and general treatment, and the impact of the field clinic is wide-reaching. TAPA helps to enhance animal welfare in Sri Lanka through care of individual animals and raising awareness of the strong link between people and animals.
As of May 2011, TAPA had sterilized more than 31,000 animals, having a tremendous impact on the lives of people and animals in Sri Lanka. HSI has supported and worked with TAPA since its inception in 2005 and honored TAPA for their invaluable work by recognizing them as an HSI Animal Advocate in 2011.
Tsunami Animal-People Alliance
352/1 Vidyaloka Mawatha
Yowun Pedesa
Hokandara South, Sri Lanka
Email: info@tsunami-animal.org
Website: www.tsunami-animal.org