Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005, holds a kitten she adopted from Soi Dog Rescue in Bangkok. (Photo by Claire Deacon, courtesy of Soi Dog Rescue) |
An estimated half million cats roam the streets of Bangkok, with as many as 300,000 stray dogs throughout the city, too, says Sherry Conisbee, co-founder of Soi Dog Rescue. Conisbee’s group hopes to reduce those numbers through spay and neuter programs and community education.
Throughout the past year, Soi Dog Rescue has successfully trapped and altered more than 100 cats found on the streets of Thailand. Volunteers and shelter workers strive to socialize all cats rescued from the streets to make them viable adoption candidates. Of those cats, more than 50 have been placed in good homes. One kitten even won the heart of Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005.
Soi Dog Rescue operates several feeding stations at the temples throughout Bangkok. Volunteers trap as many cats as possible to have the animals sterilized. “Animals get dumped there daily,” said Claire Deacon, cat coordinator. “It’s gradually getting better, but sadly the dumping continues unabated.”
Currently Soi Dog Rescue relies on volunteer veterinarians to perform spay and neuter surgeries and offer necessary medical treatment for the cats and dogs. The group hopes to hire a full-time veterinarian soon, which will help the volunteers perform more surgeries and begin administering vaccinations.
For more information about Soi Dog Rescue and the group’s efforts in Bangkok, visit Soi Dog Rescue’s website.