Is it okay to say that dogs are my favorite people? 😉
Actually, my dog, I think is the only person who consistently loves me all the time.
Would you agree?
For many people our best friends are not always human beings. But our closest life partners might walk on four legs instead of two, sometimes.
Dogs and cats are the most beloved house animals in families throughout all different kinds of societies, religions and cultures.
They don’t care if you are rich or poor, young or old, smart or just different. They will love you and follow you unconditionally.
Maybe, it is time that we give some of that endlessly overflowing love back to them.
Dog and cat rescue initiatives are a very great way to do so.
OUR PROJECTS
Animals, but especially our own pets such as dogs and cats are very humanizing. They remind us that we do have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.
Have you been to Thailand already or to any other South East Asian country?
If yes, then you know why we are so eager to support foundations, rescue homes and projects in general. They dedicate themselves to the proper care and nurture of animals such as dogs and cats.
You just need to walk down any road in any village or city in Thailand. And you would encounter the very reason, why this particular project is so important and even urgent.
There are countless street dogs and cats populating our streets. Many of them are in a poor state and need proper help.
Let’s provide them with the care they need. And let’s find an honestly humane solution to control their numbers the same time.
The idea of dog and cat rescue project presents a great solution.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM
To understand the problem, one has to understand a bit Thai society and its belief system, first.
In the 1980s and 1990s, more than 200 dogs were put to death on a daily basis. Throughout the early 2000s, however, there was a shift of mind-set and change of attitude.
The Animal Guardians Association campaigned against the practice of deliberately and systematically killing street dogs and cats. It is very understandable why. Because, it is violating Buddhist principles and ideals of how to regard and honor all life on earth in general.
A sterilization program was launched in Bangkok and soon in other areas in Thailand. A pro-life dog policy was officially adopted.
Many more well thought through initiatives followed, such as an amendment to the Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animal Act, approved by the Thai cabinet in October 2018.
This very initiative was introduced by the Department of Livestock Development of the Agriculture Ministry. It requires the registration of pets nationwide.
The majority of pet owners have accepted the need for registration in principle. However, many of them don’t agree on the proposed registration fee of 450 THB (appr. 15 US dollars) per animal.
Despite of all great efforts and ideas, the number of street dogs and cats has significantly increased since the 1990s. Sadly but true, it is becoming a real problem, now.
STREET DOGS AND CATS IN THAILAND
Thailand had about 350,000 stray dogs and cats in 2007.
By 2017, the number rose to 860,000. According to the Department of Livestock Development, “If we do nothing, Thailand will have as many as 2 million stray dogs and cats in 2027 and 5 million in 2037.”
As much as you and me probably love and adore dogs and cats. These numbers are quite scary and this would mean a lot of dogs uncontrollably roaming around our streets.
Many projects such HIS or various other dog and rescue initiatives offer humane and sustainable solutions to manage free-roaming dogs and cats.
They promote peaceful co-existence with humans in their communities.
Furthermore, they help providing affordable and accessible veterinary care to dogs and cats, many who have never visited a veterinarian before.
THE ISSUE AND SOLUTIONS
Many street dogs and cats suffer from starvation, dehydration, exposure to the weather elements, injury and disease.
Culls, selective killing or slaughtering, can not be the only solution.
Humane and effective sterilization, vaccination and community engagement programs are the real long-term solution instead.
It is clear, that the increase in population or free-roaming animals on our streets is alarming. It is both an animal welfare, public health and safety issue. Things have to be done.
Sadly, governments and communities often lack the appropriate knowledge. Or they simply lack the resources to deal humanely with street animals. Out of these reasons, many local authorities still decide to proceed with poisoning, electrocution or shooting instead.
However, the World Health Organization itself strongly disagrees with such practice.
There is no evidence that the removal of dogs or cats alone has ever had a significant impact on dog or cat population densities or the spread of rabies.
Far better and humane solutions include mass sterilization, vaccination, community engagement and education, legislation and adoption programs.
Without anyone really caring about the animals themselves, the stray dogs and cats pose a social problem. These poor creatures will be subject to abuse by humans in various ways. We all can imagine, that life itself is actually already hard enough in their circumstances.
DOG MEAT TRADE
Although dog meat is officially banned in Thailand, as in many other countries across Asia, thousands of dogs and cats are still brutally killed for their meat.
Dog and cat traders usually snatch animals from the streets.
But they even don’t hesitate to steal pets from backyards or buy them from owners. They are crammed together on the back of trucks and driven for days.
They are sick, hungry, thirsty, injured and afraid.
Upon arrival at their final destination, people beat them to death or hang them in slaughterhouses or markets.
Same as me, you are probably also happy to hear that all across in Asia and particularly in Thailand, there is increasingly local opposition to this trade due to cruelty, criminality and human health concerns.
Dog meat is mainly, but not exclusively, eaten by older male consumers under the misapprehension of health benefits.
However, the World Health Organization warns that the trade, slaughter and consumption of dogs poses human health risks from trichinellosis, cholera and rabies.
The vast majority of people in Asian countries actually doesn’t eat dog or cat at all. And Siam Hills Coffee, in cooperation with its supporting projects, is working with local groups to lobby and educate for change.
PROTECT ALL ANIMALS
Together with our partners, we are happy to work around in Thailand and its neighboring countries. We are helping to promote animal friendly life styles to our local communities.
It is our goal to establish human-animal bonds, protect street animals and support farm animal welfare.
In addition and generally speaking, we aim to stop wildlife abuse. Our goal is to eliminate animal testing and exploitation. To achieve this, we have to confront and create publicly transparent awareness about cruelty to animals in all of its forms.
Please feel free and encouraged to join!
HOW TO START AND MAINTAIN
Please allow me to introduce some great projects to you, located in Thailand.
We are enthusiastically supporting all of these great networks and more. Maybe, you will be interested as well.
SOI DOG FOUNDATION
This great foundation is helping and supporting dogs and cats since 2003, mainly in Phuket and Bangkok.
As many as 50.000 strays are roaming the streets of this very popular and well-known holiday destination. This number is even further growing, due to a lack of sterilization programs to control the population.
Soi Dog aims to provide a humane and sustainable solution to managing the stray population and to address their medical needs.
Every year, Soi Dog sterilizes and vaccinates tens of thousands of street dogs in Phuket, Bangkok and also other Thai provinces. They are also currently conducting a series of mobile sterilization clinics across the Bangkok metropolitan area, which is home to approximately 640.000 street dogs.
We highly praise their tireless work and dedication.
DOG AND CAT RESCUE SAMUI
Since 1999, the Dog and Cat rescue foundation is a highly active and enthusiastically appreciated medical treatment center on the beautiful island of Koh Samui.
If you happen to be in Koh Samui, don’t be roo shy to stop by. You will meet and greet many happy dogs and cats, who have found a new and loving home, now.
The Samui-based foundation more or less has the same sustainable approach as Soi Dog. Furthermore, it is also very active in educating the local island community.
Definitely worth a visit, in person or online.
PROJECT STREET DOGS
Project Street Dogs Thailand is another non-profit organization. It strives to improve the lives of stray animal on the streets in Thailand, mostly around the district of Hua Hin.
This project mostly works in cooperation with local veterinarians to spray and neuter stray dogs and cats as many as possible.
As all others, they also use vaccines and medication to prevent skin diseases such as mange, eczema, flea and tick infestations.
They are also in a partnership with Saved Souls Foundation, an animal sanctuary in the province of Khon Kaen, in North Eastern Thailand. This sanctuary mostly gives a new home to disabled dogs.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Are you interested in actively supporting and helping yourself for the dog and cat rescue project?
Here are a few options.
First of all, please feel free to visit any of the above mentioned foundations. They are always looking for physical help by volunteering, donations or sponsorships.
Any help is appreciated. It does not matter how much or how big, any gesture is more than welcome and there is no obligation, of course.
Another option would be to adopt a dog or cat maybe.
When we adopt a dog, a cat or any pet, we know it is going to end with us having to say goodbye at some point. But we still do it. And we do it for a very good reason. They bring so much joy and optimism and happiness into our lives.
They attack every moment of every day with that same joyous attitude.
As you can see, there are quite a few ways to help.
By drinking and enjoying our beloved Siam Hills Coffee, you would of course help and support as well. We are in close cooperation with foundations such as mentioned already.
OUR OWN MOTTO
Making money is nice, creating and maintaining a sustainable future for every living being involved is a lot more fun!
How about you?
Could you ever imagine yourself maybe adopting an animal from overseas?
I know it would be a very big step, which will require a lot of careful thinking and consideration, first, of course.
What other projects do you find interesting and exciting to support?
Please be so kind to share with us. We are always eager and fascinated to learn more.
