Soi Dog Foundation

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Soi Dog Foundation
Formation2003
Founder
  • Margot Homburg Park
  • John Dalley MBE
  • Gill Dalley
TypeNonprofit organisation
Registration no.Phor.Gor. 39/2548 (Thailand)
PurposeTo improve the welfare of dogs and cats in Asia
HeadquartersPhuket, Thailand
Region
Asia
FieldsAnimal welfare
Director/manager
John Dalley MBE
Websitesoidog.org

Soi Dog Foundation is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to improving the welfare of stray dogs and cats across Asia. Its headquarters is in Phuket, Thailand, and it is a legally registered nonprofit organisation in Thailand, US, Canada, Australia, France, UK, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.[1] Its primary goal is to care for homeless and abused dogs in Thailand.

The organisation was established by British couple John and Gill Dalley, with the help of Margot Homburg Park, in Phuket in 2003.[2] The organization's name, "Soi Dog," is derived from the Thai word "soi," meaning "street," reflecting its mission to care for the street dogs and cats of Thailand. The Dalleys were inspired to start the foundation after witnessing the dire conditions of stray animals in Phuket.

The foundation offers humane and sustainable solutions for controlling stray populations and meeting their medical needs. Soi Dog's efforts include spaying and neutering to prevent unwanted litters, and providing rescue, vaccination, medical treatment, shelter, and adoption services for animals unable to return to the streets.[3]

The foundation has saved thousands of dogs from illegal trades, particularly for meat, and works to reduce free-ranging dog and cat populations through sterilisation.

It has received endorsement from international celebrities, including Judi Dench, Laura Carmichael, Peter Egan and Ricky Gervais.[4] The foundation's 2014 campaign led to the enactment of the Prevention of Animal Cruelty and Provision of Animal Welfare Act, the first animal welfare act in Thailand.[5]

Background and Origin[edit]

Thailand, and other countries in Southeast Asia, are known for their stray dog populations.[6] Seeing the appalling situation in Thailand, Margot Homburg Park decided to join hands with a British couple, John and Gill Dalley, to try and end the dogs' suffering.[7] In 2003, the trio established Soi Dog Foundation by opening a clinic and recruiting veterinarians on a volunteer basis to take care of homeless dogs.

John Dalley is a retired chemical engineer from Leeds, England, and Gill was a former bank employee. The couple had moved to Phuket for a retired life. John has stated: "We had a dog back home [in Leeds], but I wasn't particularly involved with animal rights. But you see these dogs [in Thailand] suffer, and you want to do something to help them."[6]

They began by neutering and vaccinating stray dogs. Every year, Soi Dog spays/neuters and vaccinates tens of thousands of stray dogs and cats throughout Thailand, and in 2023, it surpassed the milestone of one million animals neutered since 2003.[8][9]

In 2006, due to ill health, Margot returned to Bangkok, leaving Gill and John to lead the foundation.[10][7]

In 2011, a permanent clinic was opened in Bangkok, the nation's capital.[11] As a result of the foundation's vaccination effort, Phuket has seen only one confirmed case of rabies since 1995, in 2019.[12]

In 2017, Soi Dog launched a humane education programme, which totalled 15,058 students and 861 teachers by 2020. This led to the establishment of a school in Phuket, the Humane Education Centre, on 23 November 2020.[13]

Gill died after a short battle with cancer on 13 February 2017.[14]

Mission[edit]

The primary mission of Soi Dog Foundation is to improve the welfare of stray dogs and cats in Asia, particularly in Thailand.

Gill Dalley Sanctuary[edit]

Soi Dog's Gill Dalley Sanctuary, named in honour of co-founder Gill Dalley, who tragically passed away in 2017 is a cornerstone of the foundation's operations, rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption efforts. The sanctuary is located in Mai Khao, Phuket, Thailand. The place is equipped with state-of-the-art dog and cat hospitals for medical treatment and rehabilitation as well as housing for rescued animals. There are more than 1800 dogs and cats residing at the sanctuary.[1][15][16][17]

On TripAdvisor, Soi Dog Foundation is rated 6th out of 352 things to do in Phuket and ranks 10th among the top attractions in Phuket.

Gill Dalley Sanctuary is central to Soi Dog Foundation's mission and continues to honour Gill Dalley's legacy through its dedication to improving the lives of homeless animals in Thailand.

Programmes and Activities[edit]

Spay, Neuter and Vaccination[edit]

One of the core activities of the Soi Dog is its spay and neuter programme, known as CNVR (Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return). It aims to control the population of stray animals humanely.

Between 2003 and 2020, the stray animal population of Phuket was reduced by about 90%.[18][19]

The foundation has eighteen mobile spay/neuter and vaccination clinics across Thailand that primarily focus on the CNVR programme.[20] In 2023, Soi Dog surpassed the milestone of one million[21] animals neutered and vaccinated since 2003[22], making their CNVR programme the largest of its kind in the world.[16]

The foundation also collaborates with Animal Rescue Cambodia, headquartered in Phnom Penh, to extend stray animal sterilisation in Southeast Asia.

Rescue and Medical Treatment[edit]

  • Rescue Operations

Soi Dog operates rescue teams in Phuket and the nearby province of Phang Nga. These teams, coordinated by a hospital office team, respond to animal emergencies and reports of stray animals needing medical attention. Each month, the office team handles between 1,200 and 1,600 calls, many requiring immediate assistance from rescue officers. Rescued animals are assessed by a vet, checked for contagious diseases, and then admitted for further diagnosis and treatment.

  • Treatment Facilities

Soi Dog's has a dog and a cat hospital in their sanctuary in Phuket. The dog hospital, established in 2016, is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia dedicated to the treatment of stray animals. The cat hospital, opened in 2019. They also have a smaller clinic in Bangkok, Thailand.

Adoption and Rehoming[edit]

The foundation has an active adoption programme, placing dogs and cats into permanent homes in Thailand and abroad. It has a network of volunteers and partner organisations worldwide to facilitate international adoptions, particularly to the United States, United Kingdom and across Europe.[23]

Soi Dog helps place rescued dogs for adoption in other countries, such as Canada[24] and the US.[25]

Education and Outreach[edit]

Their Education and Outreach programmes aim to promote animal welfare and responsible pet ownership in local communities and schools in Thailand. Through community outreach, they provide on-site veterinary care to reduce hospitalisations. Educational initiatives in schools and communities teach compassion and proper animal care. The foundation advocates for stronger animal protection laws[26] and runs public awareness campaigns to inform and engage the public on animal welfare issues.

Ending the Dog and Cat Meat Trade[edit]

Soi Dog Foundation has been a prominent advocate against the dog meat trade in Southeast Asia. The organisation has worked tirelessly to end this cruel practice through public awareness campaigns[27], legal advocacy, and direct intervention.

One of Soi Dog Foundation's most significant achievements was its role in the successful lobbying for a ban on the commercial trade of dog meat in Thailand. In 2014, the Thai government passed a law prohibiting the trade, transport, and slaughter of dogs for meat. The foundation's efforts included extensive campaigning, gathering public support, and collaborating with local authorities to enforce the ban.

Until 2014, Thailand was known for its dog meat trade, with many animals being exported to Vietnam and China.[6] Thailand's largest island, Phuket, is the location of the Soi Dog Foundation's Gill Dalley Sanctuary, where many former meat trade rescues have been sheltered, rehabilitated, and eventually rehomed through Soi Dog's international adoption programme.[28] As of April 2024, it was home to more than 1,800 former stray and at-risk dogs and cats.[28]

Soi Dog has been dedicated to combating the dog and cat meat trades in Asia. Throughout the past two decades, they have rescued thousands of animals.[29] Soi Dog successfully eliminated the dog meat trade in Thailand and has also expanded its efforts to neighbouring countries, including Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries where this issue is widespread.[30][31][32][33][34][35][36]

Research[edit]

The foundation provides research assistance to epidemiological studies of rabies,[37] parasitic (filarial) infections,[38] leptospirosis,[39] as well as drug (anaesthetic) effects.[40]

An Impact Assessment Survey of CNVR in Greater Bangkok by Soi Dog Foundation, Dogs Trust Worldwide and ICAM conducted showed a decrease in free-roaming dog density, fewer rabies cases, and better dog-human relationships in Greater Bangkok. The CNVR project carried out by Soi Dog in partnership with Dogs Trust Worldwide has successfully sterilised and vaccinated over 500,000 animals resulting in significant reductions in cases of human and canine rabies, a decline in the dog population, and improvements in the health of lactating females, dogs with skin issues, and emaciated dogs. [41][42]

Support[edit]

British celebrities Judi Dench, Laura Carmichael, Peter Egan, Penelope Wilton, and Ricky Gervais launched a public campaign to support the foundation in 2014.[4] This proved a success in terms of political action: the National Assembly of Thailand passed its first animal welfare bill on 13 December 2014.[43] On 27 December, the government enacted the Prevention of Animal Cruelty and Provision of Animal Welfare Act, which was the first animal welfare act in Thailand.[5]

In 2005, Humane Society International gave $10,000 to the Soi Dog Foundation for rabies vaccination.[44]

Ambassadors[edit]

Apart from the officials in the foundation, honorary ambassadors include Naomi Bromley, a British vegan campaigner; Dena Kaplan, an Australian actress, singer, and dancer;[45] Natalie Glebova, a Russian-Canadian model, writer, and holder of the Miss Universe 2005 title;[46] and Kyle Leask, an autistic boy, and his dog Miracle, winner of the Eukanuba Friends for Life award.[47] In 2019, Thai-British actor Peter Denman was appointed Grand Ambassador of the foundation.[48]

Support and Donations[edit]

Soi Dog operates entirely on donations and volunteer support from individuals worldwide. The foundation does not receive any government funding and relies on the generosity of supporters. It offers various ways for individuals to contribute, including monthly sponsorships[49][50], one-time donations[51], and volunteer opportunities[15] in Thailand.

Awards and Honours[edit]

In 2011, Gill Dalley was named the first Asia Pacific Canine hero for her work with Soi Dog Foundation.[52]

In 2014, the Soi Dog Foundation received the Thailand Green Excellence Award, conferred by Princess Ubol Ratana. The award was instituted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and managed by Wanderlust Travel Media. The judges remarked: "Soi Dog Foundation demonstrates what a big difference one small organisation can make".[53] In 2023, the foundation's short film Love Will Always Triumph Over Evil, which depicted the story of Cola, a puppy whose front legs were amputated with a sword by an angry man, received the British Charity Film Award in London.[54]

In 2020, John Dalley was included in the Queen's Birthday Honours List and was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his work with the foundation.[55][56][57]

In 2023, Soi Dog won Acquisition International's Best Animal Welfare In Asia Non-Profit Organisation. [58]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "About Soi Dog". Soi Dog. Soi Dog Foundation. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  2. ^ Berger, Nomi (28 April 2014). "Soi Dog's growing presence in Canada". Pet Connection. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  3. ^ "About Us". Soi Dog Foundation.
  4. ^ a b Dearden, Lizzie (24 October 2014). "Ricky Gervais and Dame Judi Dench back campaign to stop Thailand dog meat trade". Independent. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  5. ^ a b Klangboonkrong, Manta (13 February 2015). "New Thai law against animal cruelty puts burden on humans". Asia One. Singapore Press Holdings Ltd . Co. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  6. ^ a b c Krausz, Tibor (29 January 2015). "John and Gill Dalley battled Thailand's illegal dog meat trade". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  7. ^ a b "John and Gill's Story". Soi Dog Foundation, www.soidog.org.
  8. ^ Pacelli, Alessandra (11 September 2023). "Stray puppy becomes millionth animal to be neutered and vaccinated by Soi Dog Foundation". Dogs Today Magazine.
  9. ^ Clifton, Merritt (18 September 2023). "Soi Dog celebrates a million animals fixed in 18 years; lesson for U.S". animals24-7.org.
  10. ^ "Soi Dogs President resigns". The Thaiger. 21 March 2006.
  11. ^ "Soi Dog Foundation Changed My Life – An Inspirational Story". K9 Magazine. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  12. ^ "Phuket officials, Soi Dog rally after dog rabies death". The Phuket News. 18 January 2019.
  13. ^ "Soi Dog Foundation opens Humane Education Centre at shelter in Phuket". The Phuket News. 24 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Soi Dog co-founder Gill Dalley passes away". The Nation. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  15. ^ a b "About Volunteering at Soi Dog Foundation". www.soidog.org.
  16. ^ a b "Spay, Neuter and Vaccination (CNVR)". Soi Dog Foundation. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Rescue and Treatment". www.soidog.org.
  18. ^ Issarasena, Prowd (29 December 2020). "Soi Dog Foundation Rescued Half a Million Stray Cats & Dogs". TheSmartLocal Thailand – Things to Do in Bangkok. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Soi Dog supports Phuket's target of becoming the first rabies-free province in Thailand". The Phuket News. 26 June 2023.
  20. ^ Chuenniran, Achadthaya (16 August 2022). "1m strays to be neutered in 2 yrs". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  21. ^ "The Road to a Million" (PDF). www.soidog.org. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  22. ^ Newey, Sarah (7 December 2023). "Inside the world's largest rabies control drive – set up by British retirees". The Telegraph.
  23. ^ "Adopt an animal from Soi Dog Foundation". www.soidog.org.
  24. ^ "Dogs rescued from illegal dog meat trade in Thailand come to Vancouver". CBC. 16 April 2016.
  25. ^ Sachs, Andrea (12 April 2023). "Animal-rescue centers want you to be a flight volunteer". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  26. ^ "Woman charged with animal cruelty after roadside dumping of 42 kittens". The Phuket News. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  27. ^ "Vietnam practitioners denounce use of dog and cat meat in traditional medicine". The Phuket News. 15 October 2023.
  28. ^ a b Caroline (14 May 2015). "Secrets of the Soi Dog Foundation". Spiritual Dog Trainer. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  29. ^ Farhoud, Nada (20 July 2023). "200 cats destined for dinner table rescued from slaughterhouse and given loving homes". Mirror.
  30. ^ Farhoud, Nada (19 July 2023). "Horror cat meat trade exposed as pets are stolen, slaughtered and eaten". mirror.co.uk.
  31. ^ "Animal Kingdom Foundation takes bold steps to end dog meat trade in the Philippines". The Philippine Star. 21 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Hanoi 'must end eating of dogs before Formula 1' – Soi Dog Foundation". The Thaiger. 9 November 2018.
  33. ^ "Vietnamese national assembly takes a stand against dog and cat meat trade". Pattaya Mail. 20 July 2023.
  34. ^ "197 cats rescued from Vietnamese slaughterhouse; gruesome facility shut down". Pattaya Mail. 26 March 2023.
  35. ^ "200 cats destined for dinner table rescued from slaughterhouse and given loving homes". mirror.co.uk. 20 July 2023.
  36. ^ "Vile cat thief who has stolen 1,500 pets for customers to EAT says 'it's just a job'". mirror.co.uk. 19 July 2023.
  37. ^ Hiby, Elly; Rungpatana, Tuntikorn; Izydorczyk, Alicja; Rooney, Craig; Harfoot, Mike; Christley, Robert (23 May 2023). "Impact Assessment of Free-Roaming Dog Population Management by CNVR in Greater Bangkok". Animals. 13 (11): 1726. doi:10.3390/ani13111726. ISSN 2076-2615. PMC 10252118. PMID 37889632.
  38. ^ Loymek, Sumas; Phuakrod, Achinya; Zaelai, Kati; Sripumkhai, Witsaroot; Vongjaroensanti, Prapakorn; Wongkamchai, Sirichit (28 February 2021). "Investigation on the Prevalence of Canine Microfilaremia in Thailand Using a Novel Microfluidic Device in Combination with Real-Time PCR". Veterinary Sciences. 8 (3): 39. doi:10.3390/vetsci8030039. ISSN 2306-7381. PMC 7997456. PMID 33671040.
  39. ^ Sripattanakul, Sineenat; Boonchuay, Kanpapat; Prapong, Teerasak; Wajjwalku, Worawidh; Katzenmeier, Gerd; Haltrich, Dietmar; Hongprayoon, Ratchanee; Prapong, Siriwan (10 December 2022). "Leptospiral Leucine-Rich Repeat Protein-Based Lateral Flow for Assessment of Canine Leptospiral Immunoglobulin G". Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 7 (12): 427. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed7120427. ISSN 2414-6366. PMC 9787837. PMID 36548682.
  40. ^ Jiwlawat, Nunnapas; Pacharinsak, Cholawat; Durongphongtorn, Sumit (1 June 2022). "Anesthetic effects of dexmeditomidine-tiletamine/zolazepam combination in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy". The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 52 (2): 267–274. ISSN 0125-6491.
  41. ^ "Transforming Stray Animal Welfare in Thailand: Soi Dog Foundation and Dogs Trust Worldwide Take the Lead". linkedin.com/company/soidogfoundation. 24 April 2024.
  42. ^ Elly Hiby, Tuntikorn Rungpatana, Alicja Izydorczyk,Craig Rooney, Mike Harfoot, Robert Christley (23 May 2023). "Impact Assessment of Free-Roaming Dog Population Management by CNVR in Greater Bangkok". MDPI.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ "Animal welfare bill 'too vague' – Phuket's Soi Dog charity". The Phuket News. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  44. ^ Albrecht, Frances H. (2005). "Editor's Note: Tsunami Effects on Nonhuman Animals". Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 8 (1): 69–71. doi:10.1207/s15327604jaws0801_6. ISSN 1088-8705. PMID 16004546. S2CID 20528848.
  45. ^ "Dena Kaplan from NBC's 'Camp' Talks to Us About Her Healthy Living Philosophy, Body Image, & Shares a Favorite Recipe". There Are No Roads. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  46. ^ "Former miss universe star dogs, cats join charity fair". The Nation. 21 June 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  47. ^ Humphreys, Nick (18 March 2015). "Mother's pride at Crufts award for "two little fighters"". Highland News. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  48. ^ "Thai-British star Peter Denman named Brand Ambassador for Phuket's Soi Dog Foundation". The Phuket News. 31 January 2019.
  49. ^ "Sponsor a Dog". www.soidog.org.
  50. ^ "Sponsor a Cat". www.soidog.org.
  51. ^ "Make a Donation". www.soidog.org.
  52. ^ "Gill Dalley of Soi Dog Awarded the 2011 Canine Hero of the Year Award..." Phuket News. 28 June 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  53. ^ "Soi Dog Foundation wins 2014 'Thailand green excellence' award in UK". The Nation Thailand. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  54. ^ "Soi Dog Foundation wins prestigious British charity film award". The Nation Thailand. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  55. ^ Gardner, Tony (11 October 2020). "Leeds man John Dalley awarded MBE in Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to animal welfare after devoting his life to helping stray animals through Soi Dog Foundation". Yorkshire Post.
  56. ^ Brewis, Harriet (9 October 2020). "The Queen's Birthday Honours list 2020 in full". Evening Standard. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  57. ^ "Soi Dog Foundation founder gets British royal award". Bangkok Post. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  58. ^ "Soi Dog /Soi Dog Marketing Ltd | Best Animal Welfare In Asia Non-Profit Organisation 2023". Acquisition International. 2023.

External links[edit]

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