Rescue. Rehabilitation. Responsibility.
We rescue street dogs in urgent need, provide medical treatment, food and long-term care, and give them the stability they deserve. Some find forever homes. Others stay with us for life.
Through adoption, sponsorship and community support, we are building something sustainable — one dog at a time.
What We Do
Dogs of Ella was born out of the urgent need to provide a safe space for street dogs in Ella and its surrounding areas. What began as a small, dedicated rescue initiative has grown into a meaningful sanctuary thanks to the increasing number of dogs in need and the generous support of donors and volunteers. From the beginning, our mission has gone beyond rescue — we aim to create lasting change through sterilization campaigns, medical care and education within the local community.
Creating Hope, One Paw at a Time
At Dogs of Ella, hope begins with a single act of compassion. We’re not just rescuing dogs — we’re rebuilding lives. Our approach to Dogs of Ella rescue in Sri Lanka is long-term and sustainable: rescue those in need, rehabilitate them with expert care, and prevent future suffering through community education and mass sterilization. Every dog we treat, every life we save, brings us one step closer to a future where no animal is left behind.
The Stray Dog Crisis in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is home to an overwhelming number of stray dogs, with estimates in the millions. Many suffer from untreated injuries, malnutrition or preventable diseases such as tick fever, mange or parvovirus. Rabies, in particular, remains a deadly threat for both dogs and humans due to a lack of consistent vaccination programs in many areas.
In Sri Lanka, street dogs and even owned dogs often face several health issues and accidents due to environmental and social factors.
Creating Lasting Impact for Ella’s Dogs
We rescue dogs who cannot survive on the streets—such as young puppies, dogs hit by vehicles, those suffering from severe illness, or elderly and malnourished animals. Common issues include injuries, tick fever, mange, parvovirus, and distemper.
The first step is always treatment at our trusted veterinary clinic in Bandarawela, where dogs receive medical care, vaccinations, and a full health check. Once stable and no longer contagious, they move to our isolation area at the shelter.
From there, we decide whether a dog can return to its territory as part of our Catch & Release program or needs permanent care or adoption due to health or safety reasons.
Making Paw-sitive Changes
Since the beginning of Dogs of Ella, we’ve been committed to creating long-term change—not only through rescue and shelter but also through medical care and population control. Here’s what we’ve achieved so far: