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Once again, our incredible veterinary team has outdone themselves, sterilizing 344 animals during the month of March. But their contributions don’t stop there. In addition to these sterilizations, they’ve been diligently attending to a wide range of cases, each one presenting its own unique set of challenges and demands. In March we cured two dogs from cancer, performed a leg amputation, conducted an eye removal, and multiple mass removals. The nature of their work is not just physically demanding but emotionally taxing as well. Yet, despite the hurdles they face, our veterinary team consistently rises to the occasion, delivering excellent care with limited resources, unwavering compassion, and a constant smile. We are incredibly proud and lucky to have the team we do.
Discover below the latest updates on medical cases, new arrivals, and the heartwarming stories that have left a lasting impression on us this month.
Health checks
Loki & Lisa heading to the UK
Dumped pups having a bath
Eye dog finally caught
March brought a concerning spike in abandoned animals, with seven dogs found wandering our nearby neighborhoods. Among them were four newborn puppies abandoned by the roadside, an American Staffordshire Bull Terrier searching desperately for her owner, a trapped 6-month-old pup on a busy road, and another abandoned at a local temple. Each faced dangers ranging from traffic accidents to starvation and attacks from other dogs. Our intervention prevented potential tragedies, but it’s disheartening to witness these animals, confused and yearning for their owners. The idea that dogs lack emotions is debunked by the sight of abandoned pets. Pets are not equipped to survive on the streets and frequently suffer injury, starvation and disease.
March’s challenges highlight the ongoing need for responsible pet ownership education and access to free veterinary care.
Unfortunately, there are some instances where we are unable to reach abandoned animals in time, as was the case with one of this month’s new arrivals, Mina. Mina was abandoned at a temple and she was tragically hit by a car, resulting in paralysis in her back legs. While she still retains some feeling, we remain cautiously optimistic about her potential for regaining some function in her hind legs.
Given her condition, Mina cannot return to the temple, where they lack the means to care for her. Upon her arrival, she was severely underweight, with open sores covering her hind legs from dragging herself around. We have been conducting daily physiotherapy sessions and discovering more about her sweet nature with each passing day. Though she is now safe in our care, her disability presents a challenge, and we fear she may never find a new home. Despite this, we are dedicated to providing her with the love and support she deserves, regardless of her prospects for adoption.
We haven’t seen many cats surrendered to us lately, but that all changed with the arrival of Ellis. Ellis was witnessed getting hit by a car, and those who saw it happen immediately brought him to Rescue P.A.W.S. After receiving initial treatment for shock, we rushed him for X-rays to rule out a ruptured diaphragm and we suspected he might have a broken front leg. Luckily, Ellis had clearly used one of his nine lives and emerged from the accident without any major injury. After a few days of rest and recuperation, his personality began to shine through, along with his unmistakable demands for affection. Once we’ve completed his sterilization and vaccinations, we’ll start the search for a safe and loving new home for Ellis.
Pickles
Walter trapped on the overpass
New Puppies
You may recall SomSom, who survived a serious dog attack a few years ago. He had been living comfortably with the staff until they noticed a change in his behavior—he wasn’t his usual cheerful self, and notably, he had lost his appetite, which was quite out of character for this chunky fella. Concerned about his labored breathing, he was promptly taken for an x-ray, revealing that he was suffering from pyothorax, a condition where the chest cavity fills with pus. SomSom was in critical condition and required a permanent chest drain, constant oxygen therapy, and potent antibiotics.
His illness gave us all a scare, and his recovery journey was lengthy, but we are delighted to report that he is now back home at the staff house, making up for lost time by enjoying his meals once again.
We recently experienced an outbreak of the Parvo virus, a highly contagious and extremely deadly viral disease of dogs that commonly causes acute gastrointestinal illness in puppies. It often seems that we can go months without seeing a case, only to suddenly be inundated with puppies suffering from this virus. Parvo is notoriously difficult to eradicate from the environment, as it can linger on surfaces for up to six months. To minimize the risk of infection, we treated many cases as outpatients, especially since we had small pups of our own and wanted to avoid any potential cross-contamination.
Despite our best efforts to contain the virus, it unfortunately made its way into the kennels and infected five of our youngest pups, who had only received one vaccine at that point. They all fell seriously ill, but thanks to the diligent medical care provided by our team, including strong antibiotics, immune boosters, and daily fluid therapy, all but one of them pulled through. Since their recovery, they’ve bounced back remarkably, regaining the weight they lost and embracing their playful, happy selves once again.
Some animals possess the remarkable ability to capture our hearts, even if their time at Rescue Paws is brief. Sadly, this was the case for Bruce, whom we introduced to you last month. Initially, his blood work didn’t reveal significant abnormalities. However, as he struggled to gain weight and showed increased thirst, we conducted more detailed tests, uncovering that he was suffering from kidney failure, which is a progressive condition that cannot be cured. Despite this diagnosis, we anticipated that he would still have plenty of time with us.
We diligently prepared a homemade kidney-friendly diet of rice, chicken, and vegetables for him, which he adored. Unfortunately, one morning, he suddenly took a turn for the worse, and despite our best efforts, it was his time to go. His passing was abrupt and deeply saddened the staff and volunteers. We received messages from around the world about candles being lit in his memory, a testament to how profoundly one sweet dog could touch countless hearts.
In honor of Bruce’s memory, Noel, a longtime volunteer, generously donated to build a comfortable shelter area in our new location dedicated to dogs who will be staying at Rescue P.A.W.S long term due to age or disability. Bruce’s memory will remain with us, and through initiatives like this, his legacy will continue to positively impact the lives of many more like him.
In March, we celebrated as Penny, Loki, and Lisa all found their forever homes! Loki and Lisa embarked on a journey to the UK to reunite with previous volunteers who had formed strong bonds with them during their time at Rescue P.A.W.S.. Lisa’s journey is especially remarkable, considering the challenges she faced, including a broken jaw and multiple surgeries. From those difficult times, she now thrives in the English countryside with someone she already adored in Thailand.
Loki, the big ginger cat, took his time to settle into his new home, but once he did, he made it clear it was his domain, demanding attention and plenty of treats. Penny, on the other hand, found a perfect match with a kind Italian gentleman right here in Hua Hin. He was seeking a companion to share his daily life with, including those cozy sofa snuggles for the occasional afternoon siesta. You can watch Penny’s spa day video and adoption here.
These heartwarming adoptions exemplify the transformative power of love and support from compassionate individuals like you. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of Penny, Loki, Lisa, and countless others at Rescue P.A.W.S.
Would you like to adopt a Rescue P.A.W.S. animal? Check out our adoptable animals here.
Lisa
Loki
Penny
March has been incredibly hot here in Thailand, with temperatures rising over 34 degrees most days! But that hasn’t slowed us down at Rescue P.A.W.S. We’ve been as busy as ever.
For the dogs living on the streets these hot months are particularly demanding and we have been sure to provide extra water to all of our packs. At the clinic, our resident dogs have been enjoying cooling mats, fans, added shade and shorter beach walks, with most of their time spent in the ocean.
The team has been busy responding to numerous reports of ill and injured dogs, catching dogs for surgery and of course feeding and providing preventative treatment such as parasite treatments and vaccines.
A dog with a badly wounded eye had been evading capture for over a month. Our team and many others had tried, but this injured lady was too clever and didn’t want to be caught. Luckily a very skilled darter from Bangkok was in town and finally after weeks of trying, the dog was caught and brought to Rescue P.A.W.S. We removed her eye and after a weeklong recovery, she was returned back to her regular beach.
One Saturday afternoon in Khao Tao, we rescued a dog found trapped and exhausted on a motorway. The dog had been zigzagging across the road, narrowly avoiding passing cars by a few centimeters. Clearly fatigued from being stuck for hours, we quickly caught him and brought him to a clinic for treatment. We named him Walter. He’s one of seven dogs abandoned this month. Despite his ordeal, Walter has a sweet personality, indicating he was likely owned before. In the upcoming weeks, he’ll receive vaccinations and be sterilized before finding his new home.
We were thrilled to welcome one of our founders from Global Work and Travel, who brought with them an enormous donation of medicines, equipment, and consumables. Their ongoing support means the world to us, and we were excited to share our recent achievements with them.
While we’re fortunate to receive food donations regularly, our demand is constant and ongoing, and we often find ourselves in need of more. However, this month, our wonderful local supporters truly outdid themselves with a record amount of donations delivered directly to our doorstep. We’re incredibly grateful for their generosity and the time they take out of their busy days to purchase and donate food to Rescue P.A.W.S. We couldn’t do it without them!
The education team embarked on a meaningful journey to the border of Thailand and Myanmar alongside Jungle AID, a vital organization providing healthcare for villagers and aid for local animals through Rescue P.A.W.S. Together, we visited a remote village nestled amidst the jungle, where we conducted an educational session focused on the transfer of parasites from animals to humans. Through interactive activities like games and coloring, the children enthusiastically absorbed valuable information.
These visits to neglected communities are crucial in providing access to education and veterinary care. By bridging gaps and offering support where it’s needed most, we contribute to the well-being and empowerment of these communities, ensuring a healthier and brighter future for all involved.
We’ve hit the ground running on our new land, focusing on leveling it and adjusting the size of the pond while ensuring we maintain the same volume of water. Given Thailand’s susceptibility to droughts, having our own emergency water supply is crucial.
In addition to this groundwork, we’ve been hard at work collaborating with our architect to plan the layout of the clinic building, kennels, and overall land design. We’re bursting with excitement and can’t wait to unveil more detailed plans as we make progress.
We mentioned Mina previously in the report and as our final note, want to let you know that she’s available for sponsorship. Mina is a sweet girl who loves to be loved. She has he volunteers wrapped around hr paw and is doing so well in her recovery. She has a long way to go and, as a paralysed dog, will likely be with us for the foreseeable future. Your sponsorship can help Mina get the care she needs and, when the time comes, a wheelchair so that she can regain some of her freedom.
You can sponsor Mina over at the Rescue P.A.W.S. website.
Activities/Topic | March Total | 2024 Total So Far |
|---|---|---|
Sterilization/Surgery/Sedation | 344 | 678 |
Adoptions (Local & International) | 3 | 8 |
IVM Parasite Treatments (Ticks & Fleas) | 400 | 1000 |
Rabies & Combo Vaccations | 400 | 795 |
Deworming Treatments | 150 | 450 |
Blood Parasite Treatments | 25 | 85 |
Wound Care | 150 | 530 |
TVT (Venereal Cancer Tumor Treatments) | 8 | 24 |
Skin Disease Treatments | 30 | 180 |
Volunteers | 27 | 71 |
Students | 4 | 9 |
Education Statistics | March Total | 2024 Total So Far |
|---|---|---|
Students Taught Directly | 330 | 1612 |
Students Taught Through Train-the-Trainer Program | 245 | 946 |
Total lesson plans delivered to Thai students | 8 | 66 |
XA Teachers Trained | 0 | 43 |
Active members of our Train-the-Trainer Corps. | 2 | 14 |
Training for Visitors to Rescue P.A.W.S. | 23 | 77 |
Animal Welfare Education Events Held | 0 | 0 |
Special Training for Adults | 0 | 7 |
Animal Welfare Education Flyers Distributed | 0 | 0 |
Presentations on Animal Welfare | 2 | 7 |
Total Number of School Partnerships Formed | 0 | 3 |
Address: 65 Khao Tao Temple, Nong Kae, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand 77110
Phone: +66 (0) 84 2012 683
Email: [email protected]
