In Cambodia, the suffering of dogs and cats is enormous. There are several problems:
- little veterinary capacity,
- unwanted animals are thrown onto Buddhist pagodas,
- Dog-borne rabies is a risk to humans.
- and a rampant trade in dog and cat meat.
Although Cambodia is known for its magical temples and exotic cuisine, it remains one of the poorest countries in Asia with no animal welfare laws in place to protect pets. Rabies is also a major threat to the country, killing over 800 people every year.
There is a common misconception that unwanted animals can be abandoned in Buddhist temples (called pagodas in Cambodia) because they are being cared for by the monks. While the animals can be cared for with a little rice and leftovers, most die from malnutrition and disease. Unwanted kittens are often born into miserable lives in the pagodas. Much of this suffering could be prevented with simple education as most locals simply do not know how to care for these animals.
The effects of Covid-19 are being felt around the world. Stray animals like dogs and cats are also suffering from the pandemic. was recently made aware of a pagoda in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where a kind-hearted monk is feeding many stray dogs and cats. At Kesaram Pagoda, a safe haven for stray and unwanted animals, monk Stevid John takes care of around 20 dogs and 40 cats. However, the pandemic and lack of tourists has hit Steve John hard. In a desperate attempt to raise money to feed the animals, he had to resort to selling reusable bottles and other items.
stepped in and now regularly supplies him with dog and cat food. However, we also found that many of the dogs and cats in the pagoda are in urgent need of medical attention. Stevid John informed us that many kittens had been abandoned in the pagoda and some of them were sick. They also had to be vaccinated and dewormed. Some of the pagoda dogs had developed skin problems. They scratched and were covered with sores. Many of the animals had to be castrated.
is committed to medicating, deworming and vaccinating these animals, and spaying them to prevent more unwanted dogs and cats from being born into the misery. Once the animals are sterilized and healthy, they can be put up for adoption. Kesaram Pagoda is one of many in Siem Reap that is being inundated with animals in dire need of food, medical supplies and sterilization services. In most of these institutions, the monks and nuns do their best with very limited resources. In particular, many pagodas are home to cats that urgently need to be spayed to prevent the birth of more kittens. is working hard to visit and support as many pagodas as possible during the strict travel lockdowns in the region to find out which ones are in dire need of support. We are currently reviewing a list of a large number of animals in need of immediate assistance.
Fueled by poverty and the belief that dog meat has medicinal properties, the dog and cat meat trade is widespread across the country. Dogs and cats living in pagodas are often used for trading, which is brutal and the suffering involved is unimaginable. Stolen animals, many of them former pets, are traded in cages or sacks where they are killed, often by drowning. Dog and cat meat is sold at street stalls under the name «special meat». It is growing in popularity across Cambodia, especially among tourists visiting the country. The dog meat trade is extremely dangerous to public health given the high prevalence of rabies in the country. Read more about the dog and cat meat trade.