Breeding Compassion,
Not Cruelty
In Sri Lanka, unregulated breeding fuels a cycle of suffering for pedigree companion animals — resulting in situations of chronic illness and extreme neglect.
Through Tails of Freedom, we hope to break that cycle.
Our Story
Tails of Freedom (ToF) was founded in 2018 by Shilpa Samaratunge, after noticing an alarming number of purebred dogs left abused or abandoned, without any adequate laws to protect them in Sri Lanka.
Whilst Shilpa was involved in the rescue and welfare of street animals for many years prior to 2018, Tails of Freedom was started in response to a sharp increase in the number of purebred dogs found abandoned, or trapped in unending cycles of cruelty, neglect and backyard breeding.
A decade or so ago Sri Lanka had fewer purebred animals and breeding was largely limited to a small group of individuals across the island. However, they are now supplied according to demand, with no consideration given to the suitability, cost or commitment required to care for the animals once purchased. Breeding of other companion animals is still limited in Sri Lanka, and the demand still lies largely on dogs and cats. Unfortunately this too is now changing.
Consumers not only hold bragging rights of possessing a purebred dog/cat, some are also stimulated by greed, ignorance and desperation which have led to thousands of unregulated backyard breeders, pet shops and puppy mills mushrooming across the island leading to widespread genetic issues, inbreeding, cruelty, sick and abandoned animals.
Many years on – the industry remains unregulated.
Today, Tails of Freedom has expanded into an organisation that not only rescues but provides community support, runs education programmes and pushes for policy and regulatory changes that affect the animals we care for.
why Pedigrees ?
Rising Demand
We love Sri Lanka’s street animals and believe they should all have love and care. However, public preference for purebred dogs and cats continues to grow. Without adequate animal welfare and protection laws or guidance on breeding and care, many pedigrees now face severe challenges.
Inhumane practices and a lack of knowledge often results in abject suffering and loss of life for many of these animals.
Abandonment and Neglect
Inhumane breeding practices coupled with an owner’s lack of knowledge on how to adequately care for animals frequently leads to abandonment and neglect.
Backyard breeders, puppy mills and pet shops sell to unsuspecting owners who cannot afford the special care necessary for many of these medically compromised animals. Many are starved, caged, abused, or left to die. Raised exclusively indoors in breeding facilities or homes, these animals are ill-equipped for survival on the streets when abandoned and face immediate threats like road traffic accidents and exposure to Sri Lanka’s heat and monsoon rains.
Critical Care and Challeneges
By the time we reach them, or they are surrendered to us, many of these animals are in dire condition.
They often require extraordinary and costly medical intervention, with many needing round-the-clock critical care. Despite our best efforts, some do not survive due to the severity of their neglect and some others are left with lifelong medical complications.
Our Commitment
At Tails of Freedom, we specialise in rescuing and rehabilitating pedigrees, and addressing this pressing and overlooked need.
Once in our care, all our rescues are treated, vaccinated and sterilized before being carefully rehomed with families capable of meeting their needs. We remain in touch with these homes, ensuring both the animals and their families are happy and thriving.
Filling the Gaps
We focus on rescuing commercially bred rescue animals and advocating for breeding-related legislation. Humane education is also a major component of our work, aimed at addressing issues around responsible pet ownership in Sri Lanka.
From puppy mills and backyard breeders to exploitative pet shops, we are dedicated to tackling these lesser known but growing issues. Our aim is not just to save lives but also create long-term changes for animals we share our spaces with.
Why Pedigrees?
Rising Demand
We love Sri Lanka’s street animals and believe they should all have love and care. However, public preference for purebred dogs and cats continues to grow. Without adequate animal welfare and protection laws or guidance on breeding and care, many pedigrees now face severe challenges. Inhumane practices and a lack of knowledge often results in abject suffering and loss of life for many of these animals.
Abandonment and Neglect
Inhumane breeding practices coupled with an owner’s lack of knowledge on how to adequately care for animals frequently leads to abandonment and neglect. Backyard breeders, puppy mills and pet shops sell to unsuspecting owners who cannot afford the special care necessary for many of these medically compromised animals. Many are starved, caged, abused, or left to die. Raised exclusively indoors in breeding facilities or homes, these animals are ill-equipped for survival on the streets when abandoned and face immediate threats like road traffic accidents and exposure to Sri Lanka’s heat and monsoon rains.
Critical Care and Challenges
By the time we reach them, or they are surrendered to us, many of these animals are in dire condition.
They often require extraordinary and costly medical intervention, with many needing round-the-clock critical care. Despite our best efforts, some do not survive due to the severity of their neglect and some others are left with lifelong medical complications.
Filling the Gaps
We focus on rescuing commercially bred rescue animals and advocating for breeding-related legislation. Humane education is also a major component of our work, aimed at addressing issues around responsible pet ownership in Sri Lanka. From puppy mills and backyard breeders to exploitative pet shops, we are dedicated to tackling these lesser known but growing issues. Our aim is not just to save lives but also create long-term changes for animals we share our spaces with.
Our Commitment
At Tails of Freedom, we specialise in rescuing and rehabilitating pedigrees, and addressing this pressing and overlooked need.
Once in our care, all our rescues are treated, vaccinated and sterilized before being carefully rehomed with families capable of meeting their needs.
We remain in touch with these homes, ensuring both the animals and their families are happy and thriving.
Our Team
ToF is run by a team of dedicated volunteers who manage every aspect of the organisation’s work, from rescue operations to events and fundraising.
Brought together by their love for animals, each team member brings an unique set of skills and expertise to the team, performing vital functions that keep the organisation running smoothly.
While we love our volunteers and their dedication, our dream is to one day grow into an organisation that is equipped with a full time staff and our own facility, so that we are able to provide better care for our animals.
In order to do this we are always on the lookout for help. No matter what you do or who you are, if you have a little time on your hands and are interested in volunteering with us, please get in touch!
To get involved, fill out the form or send us an email!
The Little Island Sanctuary
ToF rescues an average of 70 -100 companion animals a year (dogs and cats). 90% of these animals are rehomed (with regular welfare checks in place). About 8% are often too sick and pass away in hospital. A small percentage struggle to find homes due to the level of care/ commitment/ skill necessary but are animals who given the right care could live happily and enjoy a good quality of life. This is where the sanctuary comes in.
In 2024, The Little Island Sanctuary was registered as a separate entity from Tails of Freedom, to ensure all finances and mandates are kept clear. However, in many ways, the organisations are linked and support each other.
The Little Island Sanctuary is a small, limited admission sanctuary in Panadura, Sri Lanka. The sanctuary currently supports a small number of companion animals, most of them with special or lifelong medical needs. The sanctuary offers these animals specialised care in a home environment, in addition to running sterilisation and vaccination support for street and community animals in the area. The sanctuary has a strong belief in promoting a sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle and doubles as an educational space for humane education programmes run by both organisations.
If you would like to donate to or contact the sanctuary, please send them an email on shilpa@thelittleislandsanctuary.org or follow them via social media.
Our Responsibility to You
We’re endlessly grateful for your support and strongly believe that transparency matters.
On this page, you will find our Annual Reports, detailed financial information and relevant policy documents for Tails of Freedom. These reports highlight how our work, together with your support saves lives.