Trang is a southern province of Thailand, which lies on the west side of the Malay Peninsula. Trang is home to thousands of stray dogs, often viewed as a public nuisance and potentially contributing to the spread of disease. Many of these dogs are in poor health, causing great despair in people who want to end their suffering. Trang has also struggled with rabies in the past. A deadly disease that still kills thousands every year across Asia.
In the past, the local government has opted for the mass elimination of dogs to manage canine populations, rather than using more humane methods such as neutering. This was largely due to a lack of expertise, a lack of veterinarians and the lack of a local charity partner to support and guide the effort.
Because of the Buddhist way of thinking, which forbids euthanasia under almost all circumstances, the strays in Tang were only caught for years. Around 300 dogs are currently living in an overcrowded and makeshift shelter on site. The lack of disease control, sterilization, and staff severely impacts animal welfare for the dogs that live there.
has partnered with Lanta Animal Welfare (LAW), a reputable animal welfare organization on the island of Koh Lanta in neighboring Krabi Province. Trang authorities have previously approached LAW to make the street dog population more humane. However, LAW have so far lacked the necessary resources to get involved.
Thanks to the support of , Trang’s capacities can now be significantly improved through intensive training for veterinarians and animal shelter employees. Local authorities are also being trained in basic shelter protocols and are developing a sustainable dog management program in Trang Province. The community is also shown the benefits of spaying and responsible animal husbandry, while sick and injured dogs receive the medical treatment they need at Trang Animal Shelter.