Rescuer risks life to save a cat

Sameera and friends with the rescued cat

Sameera using a rope to descend into the well 

• Despite the proliferation of stray dogs and cats in Sri Lanka, related services such as nourishing and caring for them remain underrated activities lacking in resources. Dog handlers are greatly in demand, but they are very few in number

This is a heart-warming story of a cat rescue in Kottawa. Sameera Ramanayake of Sameera Pet Services got a call from a resident of Kottawa. A young cat had fallen into a well, and no one had any idea how to get it out.

Sameera rushed there with friends Lakshan and Soorya. There was no ladder long enough to be lowered safely to the well’s bottom. So, Sameera told his friends to hold a rope and worked his way down, picked up the cat nestling in a small crevice, and then brought it up safely.

His friend Lakshan specialises in removing snakes and other reptiles from households. For such emergency calls, they charge only the cost of transport. Sameera can be contacted on 0717318955.

Despite the proliferation of stray dogs and cats in Sri Lanka, related services such as nourishing and caring for them remain underrated activities lacking in resources. Dog handlers are greatly in demand, but they are very few in number. Their services are needed by both pet owners as well as those trying to help stray animals in distress, but it’s often hard to reach them because they are occupied elsewhere.

But these three friends have the most essential quality of animal handlers. They love the animals they rescue. 

“This isn’t just a job,” insists Sameera. “It can’t be. Whether it’s a case of taking someone’s dog to the vet, or catching a street dog or cat, it’s hard and dangerous work, especially if the animal is injured. You have to understand their suffering and love them.”

Lakshan Madhushanka covers his own specialised area, which is catching serpents. He is often called upon to remove venomous serpents that get into households. He has a very good knowledge of reptilian anatomy and constructs skeletons of serpents and other reptiles from bones collected from distant areas. These are bought by schools and universities.