Upgrading Phuket’s stray dogs

At the Governor-Meets-Media conference today (December 1), the Governor announced a new management strategy for Phuket’s stray dogs, following the project “Disease-Free Animals, Rabies-Free Humans” of HRH Princess Chulabhorn.

“There is an estimated total of 11,500 dogs in Phuket, of which a thousand of them are stray dogs that live in public and around tourism attractions and are at risk of rabies,” said the Governor.

The officers are now focusing on areas known to have fierce dogs, such as Toh Sae Hill and Chalong Temple. The dogs from these places will be sent directly to the shelter (in Thalang), to avoid any attacks on humans.

He also gave updates on the Suan Pa Bang Kanun dog shelter, for which a budget of 1.3 million Baht has been approved. This amount will be used to modify the roof structure of the dog pounds and to renovate the clinic, the staff compound and the storage room for dog food.

A cement floor will also be laid in the dog pound area to ease maintenance and raise the hygiene standards. Dogs’ excrements will also be used to create fertiliser. Pound officials have also hired additional staff to take care of the numerous daily tasks that need to be done, including marketing.

Staff are also working on a website to promote the shelter and to gather additional data on stray dogs from various areas in Phuket.

A non-profit bank account has been opened to receive donations from the public (Krungthai Bank – 805-0-83191-4). For people who wish to donate food, they can drop it at the Phuket Provincial Life stock Office in Phuket Town or directly at the shelter.

Donation boxes are also available at the Phuket International Airport, Central Festival and Jungceylon Mall in Patong.

The Governor added that the goal is for all dogs in Phuket to be sterilised and vaccinated as well as free of rabies.