Hendro Animal Rescue Centre
In the Beginning
Emaciated and starving animals with sore infested bodies, reports of hospitalization due to vicious dog attacks, and many rabies cases prompted the establishment of the Hendro Animal Rescue Centre (HARC) by a group of intrepid women from Animal Aid Abroad, an Australian based animal welfare charity.
Thanks to generous donors, Sylvia Bettis-Heijne and sister, Annemieke, 2 acres of land was donated to Bridging Lanka in 2019. The sisters wanted to build a place of refuge for injured and abandoned animals, as well as a sterilization and vaccination centre to manage the population of street dogs and cats. HARC is built in honour of their father, Hendro (aka Fritz), a businessman who visited Sri Lanka. His legacy lives through HARC and helps Mannar's stray dogs, cats and donkeys who find their way into this refuge.
HARC consists of a purpose-built animal clinic facility with two buildings consisting of 28 kennels, dog and puppy runs and 10 cat cages. Puppies and kittens are taken care of until they are healthy to be rehomed, while stray adult animals are treated and then released back to the area they were last seen. There are many mouths to feed, and we have staff cooking a daily risotto of rice, fish, beef, soya meat, dahl and vegetables mixed with turmeric.
Our Residents
The Rescued and Abandoned
We are sometimes placed in situations where we find kittens and puppies that have been dumped in public spaces like markets, on roads or in street alleys, simply left to fend for themselves. If left untended, many starve to death or are attacked by more aggressive dogs. We also find ourselves in situations where locals decide to bring stray animals to HARC that haven’t been weaned, and their chances of survival are challenging, especially if we get an entire litter.
HARC has had numbers up to twenty-nine puppies, rescued from outside the Mannar fish market. Many puppies have serious rashes over their bodies. First, they must be given the Parvo vaccine because this disease is rife and a real killer. We do our best to give them the humane care and attention they truly deserve.
Our Residents
Rehoming & Adoptions
A pariah dog, derived from the Sanskrit word ‘para’ meaning ‘outcast’ seems to have its fate decided before birth. Not many households want to adopt these stray dogs who sadly feed on garbage and scraps they can find.We would like to change this mindset and educate communities of the benefits of having a pet stray dog or cat who will be a loyal mate for life, a pet that provides unconditional love that no human can offer.
We encourage our supporters to adopt a stray dog or cat if you live in Sri Lanka or sponsor a donkey that is part of our Donkey Assisted Therapy program.Their lives are just as important as the pedigreed animals sought by many households.
Community Outreach
Bridging Lanka’s Neuter & Rabies Vaxx Program
Bridging Lanka’s sterilisation and rabies vaccination program aims to reduce the excessive numbers of aggressive street dogs, reduce dog bites and safeguard against human-contracted rabies. The goal is a rabies-free Mannar District and a controlled dog population – starting on Mannar Island.
The project is in line with the Government of Sri Lanka’s National Strategic Plan for the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies (2022-2026) to prevent and control rabies, save lives, decrease the economic burden of rabies and ensure that the country is a safe tourist destination. Sri Lanka also plans to become one of the pioneer countries in South Asia in eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths ahead of the global goal of 2030.
Trial Neuter & Rabies Vaxx #1
In one weekend, a total of:
- 97 dogs vaccinated against rabies
- 51 dogs and 4 cats sterilised
- Both domesticated and stray animals were treated in this successful trial by local and Colombo-based veterinarians, organised by Bridging Lanka
Neuter & Rabies Vaxx #2
In 14 days, Bridging Lanka made vet history in Mannar:
- 986 ARV (rabies) vaccinations
- 739 sterilisations
- 263 skin allergy treatments
- 4 complex surgeries
- 72 TRV (cancer) treatments
The financial cost: Rs 2,548,610 (AU$ 13,070)
Neuter & Rabies Vaxx #3
Medical camps in 14 villages on Mannar Island and Madhu:
- - 896 ARV (rabies) vaccinations
- - 741 sterilisations
- - 213 skin allergy treatments
- - 16 complex surgeries
- - 45 TRV (cancer) treatments
The financial cost: Rs 2,600,270 (AU$ 13,335)
Neuter & Rabies Vaxx #4
Madhu 5-day Dog Program:
- - 240 ARV (rabies) vaccinations
- - 242 sterilisations
- - 214 skin allergy treatments
- - 4 complex surgeries
- - 15 TRV (cancer) treatments
Financial cost: Rs 1,247,080 (AU$ 6,395)
At the end of December, 2024
Neuter/Vaxx
Rs 7,312,580 (AU$ 37,500)
HARC costs for abandoned puppies and kittens
Rs 1,247,080 (AU$ 6,395)
The Stray Dogs and Cats of Mannar
Public Health officials confirm 16,000 dogs live in Mannar, out of which 10,500 live on the streets, 4,500 on Mannar Island. In 2020, it is estimated that there were 1,679 dog bites; in 2021, 1064 bites and in 2022, 868 bites. The risk of contracting rabies, a life-threatening disease, is real. As of 4th April, 2025, over 2,000 dogs have been sterilized and given the rabies vaccination on Mannar island. The larger target is to reach 70% of the dog population in Mannar District and be a model for other jurisdictions to achieve the humane control of a stray dog population while safeguarding the health of the human population.
Bridging Lanka has partnered with the Public Veterinary Health Services (Ministry of Healthcare), Department of Animal Production & Health, Provincial Department of Health Services – Northern Province, the Regional Directorate of Health Services Mannar, the Mannar Urban Council, the Mannar Pradeshiya Sabha, the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Police in the implementation of this important program.
Donkey Assisted Therapy (ADAT)
Differently Abled & Preschoolers
Our previous Donkey Assisted Therapy (DAT) sessions for the Mannar Association for the Rehabilitation of Differently Abled People (MARDAP) children and young people with physical as well as intellectual disabilities commenced on 27th April, 2017 – over eight years ago now!
DAT brings together two lesser affirmed groups – MARDAP’s children with special needs and Mannar’s donkeys. Bonding with donkeys through riding, grooming, and befriending them encourages affective engagement and psychosocial development evident in boosting children’s self-esteem and confidence, empathy for others, team work and decision making ability. It also stimulates the child’s development by improving balance, muscles, core stability, fine motor skills, hand and eye contact and coordination, body posture, speech, and language.
We witnessed amazing improvements in the children’s life skills development and this progress was confirmed by their parents and teachers. We have now moved this program to Hendro Illam to open the opportunity for other differently-abled children and also preschoolers in another area where there is no access to such programs.
Hendro Animal Rescue Centre
Donkey Clinic & Education
Centre (DCEC)
In 2018 Bridging Lanka established the Donkey Clinic & Education Centre (DCEC) in Thailankudiyiruppu on Mannar Island. Its primary aim was to safeguard the welfare of Mannar’s donkeys through a much utilised Donkey Rescue Service. The initiative also stimulated village economic development and is now acknowledged as a premium tourist attraction of Mannar. The DCEC was taken over by a local entrepreneur in January 2024.
Popular animal ambassador, Otara Gunawardena, was chief guest at the opening ceremony of the Donkey Clinic Center. The initiative was the brainchild of Bridging Lanka director, Jeremy Liyanage, whose vision was to help donkeys who are often seen suffering on the streets of Mannar. These animals were treated for road traffic accidents and other forms of injury and cruelty. Most of the donkeys once had owners but were abandoned when communities were displaced from the area due to the war.
This significant animal welfare initiative would not have been possible without the financial and practical support of The Donkey Sanctuary, UK and India, especially through Dr Ramesh Kumar, and Australia-based Animal Aid Abroad.
Rescue Heroes
Team Behind
Hendro Animal Rescue Centre
Our team at HARC consists of a project coordinator and an animal welfare officer.
Local vets are consulted for vaccinations, sterilisations, surgery,
deworming, medical and more complex cases.
Sanjay
Co-ordinator, HARC
Desman
Animal Welfare Officer
Thilakshan
Animal Welfare Officer
Senthuran
Animal Welfare Officer
Donkey Assisted Therapy (ADAT)
Partnerships
Currently we are partnering with a Sri Lanka-based veteranian to treat and take care of resident and stray animals - Dr Chamith Nanayakkara, Vets for Future
We are also searching additional partners, both vets and funders so we are able to continue this important work.
Be Involved
Feeding Animals
It costs us an average of Rs 200,000 monthly to feed, treat and care for the animals at the Hendro Animal Rescue Centre. The amount fluctuates depending on the number of animals that take residence at the shelter. On occasion, we also feed stray animals including donkeys, and while this costs extra, it is an act of compassion we’d like to do more often.
If you would like to contribute towards feeding HARC'S resident animals are the stray dogs, cats and donkeys rescued from the streets of Mannar. please donate and type the reference HARCFeed when depositing your donation.
Hendro Animal Rescue Centre
Honouring your pet
If you would like to dedicate a memorial for your departed pet, a donation towards a plaque can be made in memory of the enduring bond you shared. The plaque can be placed alongside one of the kennels or elsewhere on the HARC compound. Please contact us if you would like to take up this opportunity.
Be Involved
Student and Professional Veterinary placements
We offer practical placements to Veterinary students wanting to gain experience in canine and equine care under the supervision of our local vets. The program consists of the following:
- Wound management of equine and canines
- Vaccinations of equine and canines
- Sterilisations and euthanasia of canines
- Donkey welfare assessment
- Grooming and taming of donkeys
- Partaking in the Donkey Assisted Therapy program
- Public animal welfare awareness presentations in schools and the community
Hendro Animal Rescue Centre
Medical Treatment and
Animal Care
Vaccines and medical treatment of the animals we treat cost us around Rs 80,000 monthly and the costs fluctuates on the prices of available medications and vet consultation fees at the time. It would help us immensely, if you could help us treat our injured and abandoned animals by donating. Please use the reference HARCMed when doing so.
Hendro Animal Rescue Centre
Donate Now
Your donation helps us provide life-saving care to abandoned and neglected animals. At Hendro Animal Rescue Centre, we offer shelter, medical treatment, and rehabilitation to animals in need, including dogs, cats, donkeys, and more.
With your generous contribution, we can continue rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals, as well as supporting essential programs like sterilization, vaccinations, and animal welfare education in the community.
Every donation makes a difference — thank you for helping us give these animals a second chance at life.
All donations in Australia are tax deductible*