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 local authorities before adopting.

Unlike Bali, where dogs legally aren’t allowed to leave the island, you can adopt dogs both in and from Thailand, and you don’t have to live in Thailand to do so. Many charities and shelters will even help arrange for your dog to be flown back to your home country with willing volunteers to facilitate the adoption process. But adopting from Thailand when you’re not in the country is decidedly harder.

Most countries require preparation, medical checks, and paperwork to accept dogs from other countries, so make sure you’ve done all the research before committing. Some countries strictly prohibit foreign dogs, so ensure that where you live isn’t one of these.

If you do live in Thailand, adopting is much easier and as simple as signing a piece of local paper claiming you won’t abandon or harm the animal. You can also foster animals to look after them before finding a forever home. This can be a great way to get the dog familiar with people and advertise the dog’s availability for adoption. However, you and the dog are likely to form a connection, which can be complicated emotionally.

Wherever you are, adopt. There are millions of stray dogs worldwide in need of loving homes, and you should avoid buying puppies that will easily otherwise find homes.

Take a look at some of the dogs we have available for adoption and contact us to discuss further.