Soi Dog (in partnership with UK charity "Dogs Trust") is very pleased to announce the PUP Program (Prevent Unwanted Puppies). The PUP program will cost 10 million Thai baht (US$325,000) in addition to Soi Dog’s normal operating costs. The program will see sterilizations on Phuket Island double from 5,000 to 10,000 per year resulting in 20,000 animals sterilized over the 2 year period of the program.

When Soi Dog Foundation started working in Phuket in late 2003 the Foundation’s aim was quite clear: To stop the appalling suffering experienced by the majority of stray dogs and cats on Phuket Island.

Soi Dog firmly believes that the ONLY effective and humane method of achieving this objective is to sterilize these dogs and cats and so prevent even more unwanted animals being born and suffering death by starvation, injury and disease, or inhumane methods of culling.

Working in conjunction with the island's local municipalities (Or Bor Tors), Soi Dog will run mobile clinics systematically, commencing in the north and working southwards, spending a minimum of one month in each Or Bor Tor.

The Or Bor Tors will provide locations and publicise the clinics in their areas, calling on all pet owners to have their pets sterilized and vaccinated free of charge. Soi Dog’s staff will collect the stray dogs in the Or Bor Tor as well as collect owned dogs where required.

Additional vehicles have been purchased and additional staff including 4 veterinarians have been employed to conduct the program. This is in addition to Soi Dog’s normal program which sees teams picking up animals around the island on a daily basis and taking back to Soi Dog’s shelter for sterilization and treatment.

Soi Dog has sterilized over 37,000 animals to date. With the additional sterilizations performed during the PUP program Soi Dog will be able to take more of a “maintenance” approach in
Phuket allowing the Foundation to continue in expanding work throughout Thailand.

Ever wondered how your sponsored dog is getting along?

This month we visited the first of our "Old Age Dog Runs" - known as OAP1 (Old Age Pensioners 1). This run contains some of the nicest dogs you could ever meet. We keep these runs for our older residents so they can relax & enjoy their retirement without being bothered by younger, more exhuberant dogs. It's also home to some of our disabled dogs, who much prefer quieter companions.

View the OAP1 Photo Slideshow HERE!

Bastie - sweet & loveable!	Maxwell - quiet & affectionate

Our older dogs are favourites amongst our volunteer visitors. Many a volunteer has fallen in love with our oldies & it's not hard to see why. Taking our oldies for a walk can be a very rewarding & sometimes "heavy" experience, if your oldie is not keen to walk back! Volunteers carrying oldies back to their run is not an uncommon sight.

OAP 1 has 18 dogs - Aldo, Ash, Bastie, Hogi, Jenny, Kamala, Maxwell, Mint, NaNa Chat, Pimghon, Roqufort, Shakey, Yong, Blue, Cha Cha, Merlinwiz, Rama & YooYee.

Aldo & Jenny are the newcomers, whilst Kamala, Yong & Cha Cha are amongst our oldest at around 12 years of age. Bastie is a character who loves to roll around on the sala & catch your attention whilst Maxwell is quieter & always keen for cuddles. Blue is super friendly & always keen for a walk, & Rama cries to go walkies!. Pimghon is the heartbreaker of the group but put a lead on him & he jumps to attention. Our oldies are not fast walkers - it's more about the journey than the destination for these precious souls.

If you're visiting the shelter, come say hello to our oldies, it's an experience you won't forget.

Some of our older dogs are adoptable & can make wonderful companions. See some of our adoptable oldies HERE
All adoption enquiries to cindy@soidog.org

CLICK HERE to view our OAP1 Photo Album on Facebook.

Noddy & Sweet Pea get "shirty"!

A few weeks ago 3 dogs & 1 cat flew to wonderful new homes in the UK. They all flew as one shipment & were met at the other end by 3 sets of excited new parents!

Noddy & Sweet Pea (above) were welcomed by their new parents "Jason & Pom" who've been anxiously awaiting their arrival. Both dogs were rescued from the Bangkok Floods (last November) as puppies. Noddy was suffering from malnutition & blood parasite infection making him extremely lethargic. He earned his name by nodding off to sleep in a volunteer's hand. Watch the video HERE & see how Noddy got his name!

Sweet Pea was found on the Dog Island Bridge suffering severe pneumonia & spent 2 weeks in an oxygen tent in a Bangkok Vet clinic which ultimately saved her life. Jason & Pom were determined to give these 2 dogs a new life & as you can see have fast become part of their family!

Salt making himself at home	Twiggy meets mum!

Salt (now called Phukey) has just one eye & was living in our cat hospital. His new mum "Jan" is completely smitten with this cheeky boy & he's settled in beautifully.

Twiggy is the apple of her new mum "Gearldine"'s eye. She was found on the dog island bridge just skin & bone. She also spent several weeks in hospital recovering from her ordeal.

All 3 adopters met at the airport & shared the excitement of welcoming all 4 animals on arrival at Heathrow. Thanks to all adopters for giving them all such wonderful homes . Soi Dog gave them a second chance & now their new parents will look after them for the rest of their lives.

Soi dog sends many dogs to Europe, USA, Canada & the UK View our BEAUTIFUL DOGS FOR ADOPTION HERE For more info please email cindy@soidog.org

Khun Max with her favourite Soi Dog - "Natty"

Khun Max joined the Soi Dog team 6months ago & now works as our "Assistant Adoption Co-Ordinator.

Her job entails assisting Soi Dog's Adoption Co-ordinator with many tasks for animals who have found new homes abroad. She is also responsible for keeping our animal records up to date on our database system & taking photos of all new arrivals to our clinic. She also gives guided tours to visitors, which is one of her favourite tasks.

After accompanying a friend to the shelter (who was being interviewed by Soi Dog for another position), Max liked the shelter so much, she decided to apply for a position herself! Her enthusiasm & bubbly personality won her the job & she is now a valued member of our office team.

Khun Max loves being around animals. Her 15 year old dog died recently so she currently has no animals at home. Her favourite shelter dog is "Natty" as he's quiet & super friendly. The two can often be seen cuddling throughout the day!