Meet our dedicated team and partners
Learn more about the team and partners who make our mission possible. Together, we are committed to creating a better future for Sri Lanka’s street dogs
Rebecca
Founder
Hansika
Co-founder
Veterinarians
our dedicated veterinarians
Rebecca – Founder, Sri Lanka Street Dog Welfare
Rebecca Scott is the Founder and Trustee of Sri Lanka Street Dog Welfare, a UK-registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable street dogs across Sri Lanka.
With over 28 years' experience in children's social care and safeguarding, Rebecca has devoted her professional life to protecting vulnerable individuals and creating positive change. Following a visit to Sri Lanka in 2025, she was deeply moved by the challenges faced by the country's street dog population and felt compelled to help.
Determined to make a lasting difference, Rebecca founded Sri Lanka Street Dog Welfare to provide practical support through feeding programmes, emergency veterinary treatment, sterilisation initiatives, and community education. Working alongside a dedicated Board of Trustees and the charity's trusted local partner, Hansika, she helps ensure that donations are used effectively to support dogs in need while promoting sustainable, long-term improvements in animal welfare.
Together with the charity's Board of Trustees, Rebecca is committed to building a sustainable organisation that delivers meaningful, long-term improvements for Sri Lanka's street dogs. United by a shared passion for animal welfare, the trustees work collaboratively to support the charity's mission and create lasting change through compassion, partnership, and responsible welfare practices.
Our Vision
To create a future where Sri Lanka's street dogs are treated with compassion and respect, with access to food, veterinary care, and humane population management, while working alongside local communities to promote responsible and sustainable animal welfare.
"The street dogs of Sri Lanka left an imprint on my heart that I will never forget. Their resilience in the face of hardship inspires me every day. In a world that often turns away, I choose to stand with them, to be their voice, and to work tirelessly to bring hope, compassion, and lasting change to their lives"
Rebecca, Founder of Sri Lanka Street Dog Welfare
Hansika – Co-Founder, Street Dog Welfare Co-founder, Sri Lanka
Hansika has dedicated the last four years of her life to helping Sri Lanka’s street dogs. What began with rescuing a litter of abandoned puppies near a local temple has grown into a daily mission to care for some of the most vulnerable animals in her community.
Every day, Hansika feeds nearly 20 dogs living on the streets and provides ongoing care for 11 rescued dogs living in her shelter. She ensures that all shelter dogs are neutered, vaccinated, provides anti-tick treatments, and arranges veterinary care whenever needed. Despite having no NGO or organisational support, she personally funds and manages much of this work, spending more than LKR 30,000 each month on food alone, in addition to fuel costs for travelling to feed the dogs.
Hansika’s passion for street dogs developed naturally. Over time Hanika's care for the street dogs and daily visits created a relationship between them. Unable to ignore their need, she began feeding them, the relationship between her and the dogs has continued to grow, today, she knows each dog individually, and they know her —even recognising the sound of her scooter as she arrives.
Beyond daily feeding and care, Hansika is committed to creating a long-term solution to street dog suffering. Working alongside Rebecca, she has focused on sterilisation programmes to reduce the number of unwanted puppies being born on the streets. Together, they successfully organised and funded more than 50 spay surgeries in the past year alone—an achievement made possible entirely through individual effort, without the backing of a charity or larger organisations.
Hansika believes that no dog should have to live a life of hunger, illness, or neglect. Her dream is to expand this project across Sri Lanka, bringing food, medical care, vaccinations, and sterilisation programmes to communities throughout the island. With additional donations and support, she hopes to transform her local initiative into a nationwide effort that improves the lives of thousands of street dogs.
Her vision is simple: A Sri Lanka where no helpless dog is left suffering on the streets.
r forget the street dogs of Sri Lanka - their silent strength, their will to survive. in this cruel world, i choose to stand with them, to be their voice'
Our dedicated veterinarians
Our work in Sri Lanka is significantly supported by local veterinarians who provide essential medical care. They perform spaying and neutering surgeries, treat various medical conditions, and emergency treatment. Their expertise and compassion is crucial in minimising suffering and managing the vast street dog population, ensuring that our efforts have a lasting positive impact on the lives of these animals.
Meet The Trustees
Nic Selwood
CHAIR
Nic is an international marketing leader with over 20 years’ experience in strategy, governance and stakeholder engagement. In her professional career, she leads global teams and initiatives that create positive impact through education and community partnerships. A lifelong dog owner and animal lover, Nic is passionate about animal welfare and was inspired to join the charity by her admiration for its founder’s dedication to improving the lives of Sri Lanka’s street dogs. As Chair of Trustees, she is committed to helping the charity grow sustainably and maximise its impact.
Louise Cooper
TRUSTEE
Louise brings a wealth of experience in business management, wellbeing and community engagement through her role helping to run a successful physiotherapy clinic alongside her husband. With many years experience in sports and healthcare environments, she combines practical expertise with a caring and people-focused approach. A devoted dog owner to four much-loved dogs, Louise is passionate about animal welfare. She loves walking, running and keeping fit and active, and is proud to contribute to improving the lives of Sri Lanka’s street dogs.
Liz James
TRUSTEE
Liz is proud to support this charity as a Trustee, inspired both by her long-standing friendship with the founder and a lifelong passion for animal welfare. An experienced senior administrator, she brings strong organisational and process management skills to the charity. A devoted animal lover, Liz has shared her life with dogs, cats, rabbits and even a tortoise. Away from work, she enjoys walking, travelling and camping with her family, and is committed to helping improve the lives of Sri Lanka’s street dogs.