Soi Dog Foundation relocates

PHUKET CITY: The Soi Dog Foundation (SDF) closed its center in Phuket City September 29 and relocated to the Mid Road Dog Shelter in Thalang, where it will continue its work in conjunction with the Phuket Provincial Livestock Association.

The SDF center, which was intended originally to be a clinic but soon became a shelter and adoption center for abandoned and abused dogs, had been open for 18 months.

Maxine Kent of SDF announced that extensive improvements to the Thalang shelter are underway and have reached the point where more than 100 dogs can now be transferred from the Phuket City site, which was never intended as a shelter and was not suitable for such a purpose.

“Our aim is to find a home for as many dogs as possible, as these dogs make exceptionally loyal pets. We are also building a modern clinic on the site, which will enable us to provide on-site treatment. We will also be able to use volunteer vets in our ongoing sterilization program, which has seen over 14,000 dogs and cats sterilized in less than three years in Phuket alone.

“Our objective, to solve the stray dog problem, remains unchanged, and international observers believe we are getting close to performing the number of sterilizations required to achieve this,” she said.

However, she noted that funding for the program is running out, and the SDF is forced to rely on local contributions to complete its goal.

“We can only finish the task if we can generate sufficient income from local businesses and local people. The only reason we have been able to achieve what we have is overseas investment, mainly as a result of the tsunami, and this has now come to an end.

“There are now fewer animals on Phuket than there were when we started our work, but if the residents and businesses of Phuket wish to see an end to stray animals on the island, then they have to realize that this can only be achieved at a cost.”

To adopt a dog, call 081-7884222. For more information about the Soi Dog Foundation, call 087-0508688.