Thailand
Like us, Jai Dog Rescue, Thailand, believe that all dogs deserve the chance to live life free from the stress and struggle that roaming the streets can bring. It is this commitment to dog rescue in a country where rescue initiatives for dogs in rural areas are sparse that first struck a chord with us.
Together, we prevented the birth of millions of Thai street dogs, supporting local sterilisation drives since 2017. We’re also proud to have hosted a co-charity fundraiser with Jai Dog Rescue, funding a much needed shelter project each year. In 2018, the first of these events funded the build of their state of the art new quarantine facilities.
Sterilisation
“Trap, Neuter, Release” (TNR) clinics differ from typical sterilisation efforts, in that they are designed to target stray dogs, and are by far the most effective, compassionate means of controlling the number of puppies born onto the streets.
TNR initiatives aim to tackle the issue of rising strays at the root, specifically sterilising those dogs who are victims of uncontrolled breeding and ensuring that the number of unwanted births are dramatically lowered. Whilst it might seem sad to release dogs back onto the streets after receiving treatment, these initiatives have been extensively researched and are carried out to the highest ethical standards.
Here’s an insight into how we operated our Jai Dog x Wild at Heart TNR clinics:
Trap
Thanks to the kindness of the Thai population, most local strays are relatively trusting of humans, and coaxing them into a vet’s care is a straightforward task. Even for the more wary characters, the upmost precaution is taken to capture the dogs without causing any harm or undue stress.
Once the dogs have been caught, they are taken the temple to be weighed, vet checked and cleared for surgery.
Neuter (or Spay!)
Once the dog is sedated, the sterilisation procedure would ensue. Surgeons trained in the field of mass sterilisation work remarkably quickly and efficiently; if no complications arise (such as an infected uterus or prior injury), females are neutered in an average of 40 minutes, and males in just 15!
TNR surgeons are trained in specialist sterilisation methods to ensure quick healing and to minimise the risk of infection. Whilst undergoing treatment, each dog also received full vaccinations – including against rabies – and will be tattooed to show they have been sterilised. Jai Dog Rescue take their commitment to the care of strays in their area seriously, and microchip any dogs returning to the street so they can be traced back to the shelter should any complications occur.
Release
After the dogs come to from their anaesthetic, they can expect to be soothed by a volunteer team member. When they’re ready, they are driven back to the area they came from. Here they are greeted by their doggy friends as well as the human community who care for them.
Whilst it would be wonderful to live in a world where all dogs have a home to go to, it’s a sad fact that there are still hundreds of millions of strays around the world. With shelters already full, and adoptive homes in short supply, we’re grateful that there are streets like these that feed and look out for the dogs that have become their neighbours.
The results
In areas where TNR campaigns are regularly carried out, the results are tangible, and birth rates drop dramatically. Projects like this are a direct result of our supporters’ donations – thanks to your generosity, we funded the sterilisation of hundreds of dogs through Jai Dog’s clinic, and we hope to work with them in future.