Phuket’s main soi dog shelter in Thalang gets a make-over
Phuket authorities, led by Phuket Vice Governor, Siwaporn Chuasawat, visited the Phuket Stray Dog Shelter today (August 23) in the Suan Pa Bang Kanun man-made forest in Thalang for a big clean-up event. A one million Baht budget was approved to give the shelter a much-needed make-over.
Currently, there are 460 stray dogs living in the 4-rai shelter with only two elders taking care of the entire complex with another 2,000 other stray street dogs expected to be sent to the shelter after extensions are completed.
“The living conditions of stray dogs in the shelter is inadequate. Today, we have done a big clean-up to improve the hygiene of the premises,” said the Vice Governor.
“After this, we will continue to treat another important issue; staffing and manpower. There are only two elders taking care of the dogs so we need to hire more people to help out.”
The Governor also plans to promote stray dog adoptions from this shelter and advertise for more donations. The privately operated NGO Soi Dog Foundation based in Mai Khao has had spectacular success with soi dog adoptions to overseas countries where local Phuket dogs have found their ‘forever homes’ around the world.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Phuket Provincial Livestock Office said that apart from the activities held today and the upcoming plans for the shelter and the dogs, the department is also focussing on controlling stray dogs especially those living in crowded areas, such as public parks.
“There are about 2,000 stray dogs living out on the streets and we will keep trying to bring them to the shelter once the extension is completed.”
PHOTOS: Kritsada Mueanhawong
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