Colchester vet fundraising to bring Sri Lankan street dog to UK

Lucey, a Sri Lankan street dog has been living in foster care in Sri Lanka since her adopted owner had to leave the country when Covid-19 hit.

Louise Southgate, who heard about Lucey while out in Sri Lanka, has launched a GoFundMe page called Let’s Get Lucey Home, to raise £2,500 for her journey to the UK where it’s hoped she can find a loving home.

She said: “We’ve had so much support already, we’re sure we’ll meet our target with a little more help. “We cannot wait to see Lucey arrive in the UK where she’ll finally have a life of stability.”

All the dog’s health checks and paperwork have been completed, she just needs a flight home.

“Lucey is a bundle of joy,” Miss Southgate added.

“She’s so kind, calm and gentle. Then, you get her to the beach for playtime and she’s a puppy all over again.

“She runs, plays in the water and digs in the sand. She makes us laugh so much when she tries to fit in the cat’s bed of an evening.”

Lucey the Sri Lankan street dog

Louise and partner James Dyer have also created the Toodle Lou Foundation with a focus on helping Sri Lanka’s estimated three million free-roaming dogs through vaccination, mass sterilisation, street feeding programmes and veterinary care.

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The couple created the Toodle Lou Foundation this year with a focus on helping Sri Lanka’s estimated three million free-roaming dogs through vaccination, mass sterilisation, street feeding programmes and veterinary care.

Louise is also planning a raffle for a free week at her dad’s holiday cottage in Cornwall to help with the fundraising effort for Lucey.

To enter, go to raffique.co.uk/product/win-a-luxury-cornwall-holiday.