When you conjure images of Thailand, it’s probably the white sands, beautiful islands and warm people that first come to mind. But if you’re lucky enough to have ever set foot in “The Land of Smiles,” one thing that will have stood out from the walking streets of Chiang Mai to the beaches of Koh Samui is the large stray dog population. There are thousands of street dogs wandering Thailand. Bangkok alone is estimated to have up to 300,000.
Our Mission
‘To improve the welfare of dogs and cats in Pattaya and Thailand, resulting in better lives for both the animal and human communities, to create a society without homeless animals, and to ultimately end animal cruelty.’
Animal welfare matters, let’s be the difference.
PAWS is a non-profit organization based in Pattaya, Thailand that relies entirely on the generosity of individual donors. Volunteers commit time and energy but medicines, veterinary charges, vaccinations, housing, food and special dietary needs are just a few of the many costs that are incurred.
We need your support in order to grow and help more dogs start wagging their tails again! Small subscription donations can go a long way to providing the best possible care that we can.
In numbers
What is the role of dogs in Thai culture?
There are around 8.5 million dogs in Thailand, just under one million of which are strays and 730,000 believed to have been abandoned. Thai people love pets and enjoy pampering, dressing, and treating dogs like children. But responsibility for animals is often forgotten in Thai culture. Dogs can be seen as domestic entertainment, toys, or a marker of wealth rather than a member of the family.
While many Thais are compassionate animal lovers, and some even go out of their way to feed street dogs, this often doesn’t lead to adoption. It’s easy in Thai culture to turn a blind eye to the homeless dog population as they appear to live in harmony with society. Still, many street dogs face miserable fates and die of starvation or disease on Thailand’s streets. They can also attack other dogs and humans and spread disease.
With limited restrictions and resources regarding adoption and re-homing in Thailand, thousands of dogs are cruelly abandoned on the streets every year, regardless of their age and nature. Many dogs are dumped at Buddhist temples assuming that monks will feed and care for them, but this is often far from the truth. The uncontrollable stray population affects everyone, and unwanted pets are seen as an annoyance and a strain to most resident monks.
LATEST NEWS
Should you be careful of stray dogs in Thailand?
In the western world, dogs are usually not to be feared and have gentle temperaments, developing beautiful relationships with humans. The same can be said for the stray dogs in Thailand, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be wary when interacting with them on the street. As mentioned, stray dogs can...
How do you deal with aggressive stray dogs in Thailand?
Most stray dogs in Thailand are well-natured and loving. If they’ve been abandoned, they’re likely to be familiar with humans and desperate for love. This means you’re likely to have many fond memories of interactions with stray dogs from your trip to Thailand. Still, many street dogs will have experienced hardship,...
Can you adopt a stray dog from Thailand?
Adopting a stray dog in Thailand could save its life, and it’s encouraged by us and many other charities. Still, you can’t just take dogs off the street. There’s no formal adoption requirement in Thailand, but street animals aren’t always homeless, and it’s best to go through a shelter or consult...
