A Dorchester NHS worker has helped deliver life-saving treatment to 175 animals in a remote region of Sri Lanka.
Zara G-King, 37, an Operating Department Practitioner at Dorset County Hospital, played a key role in organising a three-day spay and neuter clinic in Yala alongside her husband, Gayan Gamage, 40.
The clinic, run in January by UK and Sri Lankan charity Lucas Helps Dogs, provided surgery and medical treatment for 175 dogs and cats. The team also administered 175 rabies vaccinations to protect both animals and local communities. Yala is a remote safari region with no routine access to veterinary care.
Mr Gamage, a naturalist for The Yala Naturalist based in the area, spent months identifying street dog hotspots, building trust within local villages, and securing accommodation that became the clinic’s base. Together, the couple coordinated logistics, translated for the visiting team and monitored dogs before and after surgery.
Zara said the work felt personal. “Yala is my home too,” she said. “We do what we can to help the street dogs when we’re there, but it can feel overwhelming. It’s heartbreaking knowing you can’t help every dog and sometimes having to walk away.” She contacted the Dorset-based charity after seeing a social media post about plans for the Yala clinic. “I felt a real sense of responsibility to the community and the animals there, so I offered to help.”
Since the clinic, residents in Mr Gamage’s family village have begun feeding and looking out for treated dogs. “The feedback has been very positive,” she added. “People are relieved knowing the dogs are vaccinated, parasite-free and no longer producing unwanted litters.”
Alena Warburton, founder of Lucas Helps Dogs, said the couple were very important in making the clinic possible. “They helped create the foundations for long-term change in Yala,” she said. “They’ve inspired both the local community and our volunteers, and we’re incredibly grateful to have them as part of the team.”
The charity plans to return to Yala in February 2027 for a larger clinic and is appealing for veterinary volunteers and fundraisers.
More information about how to get involved can be found at: www.lucashelpsdogs.com/volunteers
