Embark is a Sri Lankan animal rescue and welfare organization. Since 2007, Embark has been conducting rescues, adoptions, sterilizations, vaccinations, education programmes and advocacy campaigns for the welfare of homeless dogs, cats and other animals. Embark was founded by the award-winning entrepreneur, conservationist and advocate
Otara Gunewardene
Otara Gunewardene ( Sinhala: ඔටාරා ගුණවර්ධන) is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur, animal welfare advocate, conservationist and philanthropist. She is the founder of ODEL, Embark and Otara Foundation.
Early life and education ...
.
History
In 2007, Gunewardene launched the fashion brand, Embark, income from which has been utilized to conduct vaccinations, sterilizations, adoptions, and medical care for injured street dogs.
In 2015, Embark opened its first standalone store in
Galle
Galle ( si, ගාල්ල, translit=Gālla; ta, காலி, translit=Kāli) (formerly Point de Galle) is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the southwestern tip, from Colombo. Galle is the provincial capital and largest city of Souther ...
, followed by an additional three stores in
Kandy City Centre
Kandy City Centre is a ten-storey commercial and retail complex which is located in Kandy, Sri Lanka near the Temple of Tooth Relic. Construction of the centre was started in 1993 and opened in 2008. The complex was the vision of Thusitha Wijay ...
,
Bandaranaike International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) ( si, බණ්ඩාරනායක ජාත්යන්තර ගුවන්තොටුපළ, translit=Bandāranāyaka Jātyantara Guvantoṭupaḷa; ta, பண்டாரநாயக்க ...
and at Dickman's Road in Colombo.
In 2017 Embark opened its tenth store in
K-Zone Ja-Ela
K-Zone is a two-storey shopping mall complex in the vicinity of the Kapuwatta suburb area of Ja-Ela, outside Colombo, Sri Lanka.
In 2011 John Keells Holdings acquired the site on the Colombo-Negombo Road. The building, was constructed at a co ...
and 11th store in
Kurunegala
Kurunegala ( si, කුරුණෑගල, ta, குருணாகல்) is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of the North Western Province and the Kurunegala District. Kurunegala was an ancient royal capital for 50 years, fr ...
.
In 2019, Embark opened its 12th store in Kandy.
Projects
Embark conducts "Adoption Days" every weekend to help find homes for homeless puppies and rescued dogs. The dogs are taken care for by registered fosters until adoption day.
Embark rescues dogs on a daily basis and treats them at the Best Care Animal Hospital until recovered. Disabled dogs are given shelter in the hospital for a lifetime. Embark also tends to emergency calls about other animals in need of rescue
Embark's volunteer leadership program, has over 1000 volunteers whose contributions are awarded with an Annual Award Ceremony; the first ceremony was held in 2018 where Maleesha Gunawardana was awarded as The Most Passionate Volunteer and Shenal Burkey in 2019.
Embark conducts school education programs on animal welfare and wildlife conservation to instill compassion in younger generations.
Embark conducts catch-neuter-vaccinate-release programmes to control the homeless dog population and has a pet ambulance that rescues injured street dogs for free.
[{{Cite news, last=Reddy, first=Sujata, title=How Sri Lankan designer Otara Gunewardene extends her passion to upkeep of dogs, work=The Economic Times, url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/how-sri-lankan-designer-otara-gunewardene-extends-her-passion-to-upkeep-of-dogs/articleshow/33808680.cms?from=mdr, access-date=2021-03-14]
References
Advocacy groups
Animal welfare
Wildlife conservation
Environmental conservation
Environmental organisations based in Sri Lanka
Animal rights organizations
Animal rescue groups