Cookathon on 1 November aims to raise £30,000 to cover a month’s feeding costs
Animal SOS Sri Lanka will undertake a 24-hour cookathon and feeding challenge on 1 November, aiming to prepare two tonnes of nutritious food and feed 5,000 dogs and cats within a single day, while raising awareness of the plight of the country’s vulnerable street animals.
The challenge will begin at 6.00 a.m. on Sunday, 1 November 2026, with the organisation’s team preparing food in its on-site kitchens, feeding animals at its sanctuary and delivering meals to hungry dogs and cats in surrounding communities.
The initiative also aims to raise £30,000 to cover one month’s feeding costs. Night-time feeding rounds will be livestreamed to highlight the difficulties faced by street animals and the ongoing efforts required to provide them with food.
Animal SOS Sri Lanka currently prepares approximately 1.2 tonnes of food daily for animals at its sanctuary and street animals in neighbouring communities. The freshly prepared meals cost around £1,000 a day, accounting for approximately half of the organisation’s monthly operating expenses.
The cookathon is intended to draw attention to the scale of animal welfare needs in Sri Lanka and the sustained financial and practical commitment required to care for animals that are sick, injured, disabled, abandoned or living on the streets.
Founded by Kim Cooling, Animal SOS Sri Lanka is an award-winning, UK-registered charity established to relieve the suffering of street animals in Sri Lanka. Based in the south of the island, it operates a sanctuary caring for approximately 2,200 rescued animals.
Its work includes veterinary treatment and rehabilitation for sick, injured, disabled and abused dogs and cats, alongside sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination programmes, community outreach, adoption services and initiatives promoting responsible pet ownership.
The organisation operates two veterinary clinics on its premises, staffed by local veterinary professionals, and provides care throughout the year. It also runs a no-kill, free-roaming sanctuary for vulnerable animals.
The 24-hour challenge coincides with a milestone birthday for founder Kim Cooling, who has chosen to mark the occasion by dedicating her efforts to feeding the island’s street animals.
Members of the public can support the fundraising initiative through the campaign page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/kim-cooling-18.
Further information is available at www.animalsos-sl.com.