If you’ve ever visited Thailand, you’ve probably noticed them: those mangy mongrels that are practically a fixture of Thai streets. They’re generally referred to as "soi dogs" and they are, for all practical purposes, homeless strays. People often feed them out of feelings that they are doing a good dead. Sometimes they even put collars on the dogs, and I’ve even seen a few sporting old t-shirts in the cool season, but these dogs aren’t pets. If the people who feed them move away or change jobs, the dogs stop getting fed, and what little care they receive almost never extends to health care, which is why you so often see dogs that are in really bad shape.

Saddened by the situation, in 2002 a group of expats in Bangkok got together and formed Soi Dog Rescue, which later became Soi Cats and Dogs, or SCAD for short. The non-profit organization seeks to reduce the numbers and improve the lives of street dogs and cats. You can make donations through the web site, and of course you can adopt a homeless dog or cat that has been rehabilitated.

Down in Phuket, the unrelated Soi Dog Foundation has a similar aim to SCAD. They have dogs and cats available for adoption or sponsorship, and they have what appears to be a successful sterilization program. The foundation is currently trying to raise funds to buy land for a permanent home. You can sponsor the purchase single square meter through PayPal.

Take a look at either web site, or both. I dare you to resist those cute faces!

Posted by michael under Responsible Travel
Tags: charities • Thailand
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