Santapaws Xmas Xtravaganza

Raising Funds, Awareness, and Hope for Animal Welfare

Anusha’s work includes feeding over 200 street animals every other day, providing critical medical care to accident victims, and running a shelter for the island’s abandoned and injured animals. However, rising costs and limited funding have pushed her to organize her first major fundraising initiative, the Santapaws Xmas Xtravaganza.

For nearly 25 years, Anusha David has been a stalwart advocate for Sri Lanka’s voiceless animals. Her journey began long before the formal establishment of Rescue Animals Sri Lanka (RAS) as a Trust. At the tender age of eight, she smuggled two flea-ridden puppies into her school handwork cupboard—a bold act that foreshadowed a lifetime of compassion. Inspired by her father’s deep love for animals, Anusha grew up in a home filled with a menagerie of creatures, from monkeys to cows, cultivating a profound sense of responsibility toward all living beings.

Today, Anusha’s work includes feeding over 200 street animals every other day, providing critical medical care to accident victims, and running a shelter for the island’s abandoned and injured animals. However, rising costs and limited funding have pushed her to organize her first major fundraising initiative, the Santapaws Xmas Xtravaganza.

This festive event, held at the Cinnamon Grand, is a celebration of community, charity, and coexistence. With over 50 vendors offering everything from handmade designer handbags to organic foods and Christmas décor, attendees can find the perfect holiday gift while supporting a vital cause. The event's proceeds will go toward sustaining the RAS shelter and street work, ensuring that more animals receive the care they desperately need.
Beyond animals, Anusha’s commitment extends to helping humans. Complimentary stalls have been given to charities like the Indira Cancer Trust and Sisters at Law, bridging the gap between animal and human welfare. In her words, “Humans and animals must coexist—this is not a platitude but a fact essential for the survival of our planet.”

Through Santapaws  Xmas Xtravaganza.  Anusha aims to inspire a culture of compassion and collaboration, proving that even in challenging times, kindness can create ripples of change.

Rescue Animals Sri Lanka (RAS) was founded by Anusha David nearly 25 years ago. However, her journey in animal welfare began as an eight-year-old, rescuing stray puppies on her way to school. Growing up in a household filled with animals—dogs, cats, cows, goats, monkeys, and birds—she was inspired by her father’s compassion for creatures in need. By the time she was 18, Anusha had started feeding street animals on a large scale, a commitment she maintains to this day.

Today, RAS is a pivotal force in animal welfare in Sri Lanka. It feeds over 200 street animals every other day, runs sterilization programmes, treats accident victims, and vaccinates animals. The organization recently played a significant role in stopping the export of 300 endangered toque macaques to China and rescued over 190 cattle and goats from an illicit slaughterhouse.

RAS launched the Santapaws  Xmas Xtravaganza in response to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, as a way to sustain the shelter and street animal programmes. Anusha, who had not actively fundraised before 2022, organized the event to ensure the continuation of RAS’s critical work. The Bazaar has grown into a festive, community-driven initiative, offering a platform for small businesses, charities, and individuals to come together.

Attendees can browse a diverse range of items, including clothing, jewellery, cosmetics, organic food, Christmas decorations, and more. A unique attraction is the “Jax Dip,” named after RAS’s mascot Jax, a miniature dachshund with a broken spine who symbolizes resilience and hope. Proceeds from the Dip support underprivileged children at the Cancer Hospital and Jinananda Children’s Orphanage.

The event also extends its generosity to other charitable organizations by providing free stalls for groups like the Indira Cancer Trust and the Alzheimer’s Foundation, enabling them to raise funds for their causes.

Collaborators and Challenges

The Santapaws  Xmas Xtravaganza. has received support from a wide range of collaborators. The Cinnamon Grand Hotel has been a key partner, along with media allies like Wijeya Newspapers and a network of Anusha’s friends and supporters. Despite challenges in securing sponsorships, the event has highlighted the power of community in addressing societal issues.

Through its efforts, RAS has transformed the lives of countless animals and people. The organization’s sterilization and vaccination programs are aimed at long-term population control, while its rescue and rehabilitation work ensures immediate care for animals in distress.

Heartwarming success stories abound. One involved a sick child who, after adopting a playful puppy from RAS, experienced a miraculous recovery. On the animal side, stories like that of Julius—a dog with a disfigured face who now thrives despite blindness—and Jax, the shelter’s mascot, showcase the resilience and gratitude of animals given a second chance.

Anusha emphasizes the importance of coexistence between humans and animals. Echoing the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s message, she believes harmony between all species is essential for preserving ecosystems and ensuring the well-being of the planet.

Anusha sees animals as profound teachers of love, patience, and determination. Through her tireless advocacy and the work of RAS, she hopes to inspire a kinder, more compassionate world where humans and animals can thrive together.