Things are getting wuff for the pooches and moggies that are being cared for at a local home for stray animals. Members of the media were invited to take a tour of the centre for homeless pets in Plutaluang in Sattahip District not too far from Pattaya.
Thousands of stray animals pass through the centre every year. Some of them find good homes however due to the vast numbers many do not. Animals arrive at the centre usually in a very bad state. Malnourished and suffering from a host of diseases many don't even last for the first 10 days. They die even before a little TLC, food and medications can kick in.
Taking care of the animals is an expensive business. There are good folks who donate food and cash but sadly this is never enough for the centre to make ends meet. Sattahip schools and restaurants donate their surplas food and scraps but during the low season there are less tourists and less leftovers. Also during the schoool holidays school cafetrtias are closed and again the supply of leftover food dries up.
The animals that live at the animal shelter - over 1,000 dogs and cats at the present time although only getting one round meal a day gobble up 200Kg or 20 sacks of food a day. Even at discounted prices 9,000 Baht a day is a stiff price for the centre to cover. With the cost of medications vetinary care and food it takes 300,000 Baht a month just to struggle by.
Khun Sinikorn the director of Plutaluang Animal shelter implores pet owners in the Pattaya area to take care of their pets so that they don't become strays and end up on his overstretched doorstep.
