Embark is a Sri Lankan animal rescue and welfare organization.[1] 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.[2][3][4][5][6]
| Formation | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Otara Gunewardene |
| Type | Non-profit organisation |
| Purpose | Animal welfare, Animal Rescue, Wildlife Conservation, Volunteerism |
| Location | |
| Website | embarkpassion.com |
History
editIn 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.[7][8][9][10]
In 2015, Embark opened its first standalone store in Galle, followed by an additional three stores in Kandy City Centre, Bandaranaike International Airport and at Dickman's Road in Colombo.[11][12]
In 2017 Embark opened its tenth store in K-Zone Ja-Ela[13] and 11th store in Kurunegala.[14]
In 2019, Embark opened its 12th store in Kandy.[15]
Projects
editEmbark 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.[16][17]
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[18]
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.[19][20][21]
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.[22][23][24]
References
edit- ^ "Embark cares for over 10,000 street dogs in 2018". bizenglish.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "Odel: Behind Sri Lanka's best-known store". The Hindu. 2016-11-12. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "Humans and animals can live in harmony says Otara". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ Baxter, Rhema Mukti. "It's raining cats and dogs in Sri Lanka and some people are risking their lives to rescue animals". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "'Yes' or 'No' to zoos and safari parks?". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "BUSINESS TODAY -Every Brand needs a story". www.businesstoday.lk. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "Otara's support to community dogs". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ Reddy, Sujata. "How Sri Lankan designer Otara Gunewardene extends her passion to upkeep of dogs". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "Embarking mad". Archived from the original on 2018-08-16. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ LBO (2015-07-20). "Otara's "Embark" spreads more love and compassion in Q1- 2015/16". Lanka Business Online. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ LBO (2016-06-23). "Embark opens 4 new stores and transforms 14,000+ doggy lives in 2015-16". Lanka Business Online. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "Otara returns to her roots to open store at dickmans road". bizenglish.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "Embark opens standalone store inK-Zone, Ja-Ela". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "Embark brings 'passion' to Kurunegala". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "Kandy comes under Embark spell as 12th store opens in hill capital". Lanka Business News. 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "Feeding street dogs".
- ^ "A feast of fashion". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
- ^ "She Can: Featuring Otara Del Gunewardene - The Weekend Online | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
- ^ "Embark celebrates second annual Volunteer Awards". Daily News. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "Embark Volunteer Awards 2018". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "Embark Volunteer Awards 2018". Daily News. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "ශ්රී ලංකාවේ සුනඛ ගහනය ලක්ෂ 30 දක්වා ඉහළට". Gossip Lanka News. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "OTARA'S EMBARK – TSL – The Times of Sri Lanka (Published in Canada) – All Rights Reserved (Editor: Upali Obeyesekere)". TSL - The Times of Sri Lanka (Published in Canada) (Editor: Upali Obeyesekere). Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ Reddy, Sujata. "How Sri Lankan designer Otara Gunewardene extends her passion to upkeep of dogs". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
