When visiting Thailand, it’s hard to ignore the many stray animals on the streets. We encountered many dogs and cats particularly in busy tourist areas and around temples. As a tourist not used to seeing this, it can tug at your heart. It’s difficult to know how to help or even if you should help.
Why Stray Animals are so Common in Thailand
Understanding why there are so many stray animals in Thailand can help us to decide if and how we can help.
First there is an overall lack of awareness among pet owners about the the importance of spaying/neutering pets. Additionally stray animals are so common that abandoning pets due to financial constraints, relocation, or changes in lifestyle has become normalized. This creates the initial problem.
Also, Thailand is a developing country with limited resources to allocate towards animal welfare. The government’s primary focus is often on human welfare, healthcare, and education. Although some efforts are being made to address the issue including initiatives for spaying/neutering, vaccination, and adoption programs, limited funding and infrastructure make it difficult to address the issue effectively.
We also must consider the religious influence of Buddhism which promotes kindness and compassion towards all living beings. As a result, many people in Thailand believe in not harming animals, including stray ones. This can lead to a lack of interventions to control the population of stray animals.
Lastly, Thailand attracts a large number of tourists. Tourism promotes food stands and restaurants, and stray animals in Thailand rely heavily on the food leftovers from these sources. The abundance of food sources can contribute to the survival and reproduction of stray animals.
To Feed or Not to Feed?
Animal loving tourists face a dilemma when it comes to wanting to feed stray animals in Thailand. On the one hand, feeding them can provide them with much-needed sustenance and show them kindness. On the other hand, feeding them can help to propagate the issue. If you do choose to feed the stray animals (as we did), be sure you know what types of foods are safe for animals to eat. Avoid anything with onions, garlic, spice or a lot of sodium. Keeping this in mind, a typical Thai stir-fry might not be a good choice for stray animals. When in doubt, purchase dog or cat food from a grocery store. Also keep in mind the potential risk of getting too close as disease can be an issue. It is not recommended that you pet the stray animals, no matter how tempted you may be!
Temple Dogs
One area of stray animal care in Thailand that is worth mentioning is the care of temple dogs. Many temples throughout Thailand have resident dogs that are considered part of the temple community. These dogs are often well-cared for by the monks and visitors, and they act as protectors of the temple grounds.
When visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, we shared our leftover lunch with a few stray dogs we encountered on our walk down from the temple. I was surprised to see that they didn’t devour the food as quickly as I had expected. They also appeared well fed and healthy. This leads me to believe that they are being cared for and fed by monks, visitors and local Thai people as I had learned. As a side note, we encountered many stray dogs with eyebrows drawn on them. We asked our guide the significance of the eyebrows and he explained to us that “it’s just funny.”
When visiting northern Bangkok with family, my cousin purchased a large bag of dog food for a temple near his house. He also bought fish from the live fish market to let go in the river. He considered these acts “making merit.”
In Thailand, the act of making merit is a fundamental aspect of Buddhist culture and is deeply ingrained in Thai society. Making merit, known as “tam boon” in Thai, refers to performing good deeds or acts of kindness. It is considered a way to express gratitude, show compassion, and cultivate generosity.
When we brought the food to the temple, we were told the best places to feed the dogs. There were plates set out in various locations, to accommodate the multiple packs of dogs who kept to their own areas. There were over 100 dogs who had learned to live harmoniously together at this one small temple. As we were filling the plates, a Thai woman arrived with a huge pot of leftover food from her restaurant. Those dogs ate so well, and like the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep dogs, none were too anxious about getting food. As I learned from my cousin about making merit, I began to understand more why these strays are so well cared for.
Rescue Organizations
Undoubtedly one of the best thing you can do to help stray animals in Thailand is donate to one of the many animal shelters or rescue organizations. These groups work tirelessly to help stray animals find homes, receive medical care, and ultimately improve their quality of life. A few reputable ones to consider
- Soi Dog Foundation: soidog.org Soi Dog Foundation is one of the largest animal rescue organizations in Thailand. They focus on rescuing and rehabilitating stray dogs and cats, providing them with medical care, shelter, and finding them forever homes both in Thailand and internationally.
- Thai Animal Sanctuary: thaianimalsanctuary.com Thai Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit organization that rescues and provides lifelong care to stray and abused animals. They offer shelter, medical treatment, and rehabilitation programs for dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals.
- Lanta Animal Welfare: lantaanimalwelfare.com lantaanimalwelfare.com Lanta Animal Welfare is located on the island of Koh Lanta and focuses on the rescue and rehabilitation of stray dogs and cats. They provide medical treatment, spaying/neutering, and adoption services.
- Animal Rescue Kingdom (ARK): thearkth.org ARK is a non-profit organization that rescues and rehabilitates abandoned and abused animals in Chiang Mai. They provide medical treatment, shelter, and adoption services for cats and dogs.
- Worldwide Veterinary Service (Formerly) Care for Dogs Foundation: wvsthailand.org/en WVS is based in Chiang Mai and works to rescue and find homes for stray and abandoned dogs. They offer spaying/neutering campaigns, vaccinations, and education programs to promote responsible pet ownership.
- The Man That Rescues Dogs: tmtrd.org This organization, located in Bangkok, is focused on rescuing and rehabilitating stray dogs. They also operate a shelter that provides a safe environment for the dogs to live until they find their forever homes.
These are just a few examples of animal rescue organizations in Thailand. There are many more smaller and local organizations working towards animal welfare and protection throughout the country.
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