Get ready to have your heartstrings tugged, as you watch dozen of dog tails wagging to a chorus of barks and yelps. Watch as more than two dozen dogs attached to wheels that support their disabled hind legs scrambled along a rocky path, as part of their daily exercise.
Mostly victims of accidents, the over 25 dogs who live at a sanctuary in Thailand called ‘The Man That Rescues Dogs’ are being nursed back to health at the shelter created by a Swede who moved to Chonburi in 2002 and was so dismayed by the poor condition of strays that he started caring for them after work. Over 20 years later, the shelter now has over 32 staff members, 3 Veterinarians, 3 construction workers, and 7 Administrative staff who work there fulltime.
As you’ll see, the dogs “have no idea that they have a disability and once you put them in the wheelchair for the first time, ” said shelter official Christopher Chidichimo.
Sadly, the future of this organization’s future is now in doubt, mostly due to the coronavirus pandemic which led to a 40% drop in donations and slashed the number of foreign visitors. “The donations are very important, and the volunteers and visitors are equally important, because they come and spread our message,” said Chidichimo, who is a sponsorship coordinator at the shelter.
The shelter spends more than $1,300 each day to care for more than 600 dogs and feed 350 more that live on the streets. Its volunteers look after paralyzed and disabled dogs and provide physiotherapy sessions, but scarce funds have forced it to suspend a monthly campaign to spay and neuter strays.
How You Can Help
Thailand, estimated to have more than 800,000 stray cats and dogs in 2017, could see their number reach two million by 2027 and five million in 20 years unless it takes some steps to control numbers, livestock authorities said. You can help keep this great place alive by donating, becoming a foster to one of the dogs or sponsoring. Of course, you can also help by simply sharing the word about this great place on social media. To learn more about all the different ways you can help, visit their donation page.
Learn More About ‘The Man That Rescues Dogs’ Shelter
You can visit their website, and read about things like the daily schedule, a timeline of how the organization was created, or choose to “meet” the dogs by reading their individual profiles and seeing their photos.