HHDRC facing closure. We need immediate help!

[DawnHRD]

So the dog rescue is full of ferocious dogs which have been tamed?

No, but you'd be surprised how many were unapproachable when we took them in. Both of the dogs with the broken legs that I mentioned earlier, are cases in point. The female I managed to get round within a few days & she's now very friendly & seeks attention. The male has been a bit of a problem, snapping at me whenever I go too near. In fact, he wouldn't let me take him from the vets, so they had to forcibly sedate him for me to remove him. Today, though, I'm seeing some progress, he actually took food from my hand and let me touch him. So, I think we'll be OK.

I would like to clarify one thing, though. Much as I would like to accept praise for the diminished number of dogs on the street, it's not down to HHDRC. Fewer sick dogs on the street, yes. Fewer dogs in general, no. Although if we can manage to raise the money to carry on, and we implement our neuter & release programme, then we hope to contribute towards that problem as well.

To answer some of your suggestions:

I have previously approached international animal groups for funding. We have the problem that we are not a registered charity (it's very difficult to get charity status here, particularly for a farang run non-profit org, although we may be able to apply for foundation status). These groups only give to registered charities - which makes sense.

The Royal Family already have an interest in the tessadban run facility in HH, so I assume, would not be interested in us.

Greater media attention is a good idea. I can try golf clubs again, but they often want quid pro quo (ie we remove all stray dogs for them) Maybe that would work better with the neuter & release programme, as we could certainly neuter "their" dogs for them. Understudy, I'll pm you.

Thanks to everyone (yes, including blood) for their input. I appreciate the interest & the support & also the chance to explain what we have been trying to do & how we'd like to expand on that, if we can keep going.

[Big Boy]

Blood,

I was not around to witness any problems pre HHDRC, nor have I been to the centre to see the work that is done. All I know is what I've read about the work that Dawn and her team do.

You seem to be focussing on the taking of dogs off the streets and placing them in to cages. I think this is only a small part of what happens - if at all.

From what I've read, Dawn is looking at a longer term solution ie:

1. Trying to get a programme of neutering under way - if the animals can't re-produce, or that re-production is controlled then the ultimate benefits have to speak for themselves.

2. Rather than imprison the animals, I understand that Dawn seeks out caring owners who will hopefully control their animals rather than letting them wander the streets.

3. I know that Dawn will try to take sick dogs off the streets, and help them back to a healthy state.

Certainly, what Dawn is trying to do does not sound like a prison to me. It is education - something that is lacking in many parts of Thailand.

I do intend paying the centre a visit when I'm back in Hua Hin in August, and its always been a secret intention of mine to offer to help the centre out when I retire in 2009 - I hope its still going, because this was one of my 'keeping active in retirement' activities that I am planning.

[igor1]

What does Dawn do with the dogs that once cured she can not find owners for?

Does she keep them in cages or let them out?

I agree with a lot of what Blood is saying, and find it amusing that most people writing nasty replies base their arguments on that the city is now a nice place as Dawns team have gotten rid of all the big nasty dogs hanging around here.

- For the people that cheer Dawn on because they want a clean, dogless city I really cannot feel any sypmathy - If you look closely you will see that there is often a bond between the thais living close to the soi dogs and the soidogs themselves - thats probably why they bark at your drunken arses as you pass by at 2am.

I agree with blood that a dog is much happier on the street than locked up in a cage - or in an apartment or small yard for that matter, The only exception to this is if the dog is wounded, hungry or sick.. Soi dogs are rarely hungry - thais will feed them - they are often sick though.

If Dawn cures them and puts them back Im all for her, if she keeps them caged up for months or years convinced that they are better off then I think the concept of the dog rescue should be rethought

On a separate note.
In bangkok I put this anti flea fluid (the type you rub on their neck) on the soi dogs on my street (some of which hardly had any fur left). This really seemed to help and after a few weeks the dogs looked completely healthy (I talket to a veterinarian here that said the naked skin was more often caused by flea allergy then by scabb).. The trouble with this method as I saw it was that it was 1 quite expensive and 2 - quite difficult to administer unless one knows the dog well.
Does anyone know something cheaper and easier to give to the the dogs that seem to have some serious flea problems (whatever they may be caused by)?

[Farang]

'
We would have enough material here to make really a heart-warming story of HHDRC where a brave
farang lady fights an incessant uphill battle for her charity. Against all odds and using her own funds!
In spite of all the blows Life had dealt he recently.

I am sure some of the major dailies would buy a well written story (photos and all) of HHDRC.
There'd be enough of human interest, with English indomitable spirit, with the well-known English
concern for the welfare of the animals. I am sure once the story is published HHDRC would need
already to have an a/c available where the readers could send their donations once the story is published.
Same with the net facilities for accepting net donations.

So we need a reporter, someone who can write and use a camera as well. I mention no names,
but I am thinking of a certain personage who already writes for certain Asian magazine. *
As luck would have it, the same personage is capable of setting up the system for accepting
the net donations. What a lucky coincidence, indeed.

I am sure the best bet would be the big dailies as any other type of media won't yield such a good result.
That's why airline, golf and other magazines should be only on second place when thinking of the media.

* I am very pointedly looking at the "certain personage" who should now get off his rump and get to it!
,

[DawnHRD]

What does Dawn do with the dogs that once cured she can not find owners for?

Does she keep them in cages or let them out?

I agree with a lot of what Blood is saying, and find it amusing that most people writing nasty replies base their arguments on that the city is now a nice place as Dawns team have gotten rid of all the big nasty dogs hanging around here.

- For the people that cheer Dawn on because they want a clean, dogless city I really cannot feel any sypmathy - If you look closely you will see that there is often a bond between the thais living close to the soi dogs and the soidogs themselves - thats probably why they bark at your drunken arses as you pass by at 2am.

I agree with blood that a dog is much happier on the street than locked up in a cage - or in an apartment or small yard for that matter, The only exception to this is if the dog is wounded, hungry or sick.. Soi dogs are rarely hungry - thais will feed them - they are often sick though.

If Dawn cures them and puts them back Im all for her, if she keeps them caged up for months or years convinced that they are better off then I think the concept of the dog rescue should be rethought

On a separate note.
In bangkok I put this anti flea fluid (the type you rub on their neck) on the soi dogs on my street (some of which hardly had any fur left). This really seemed to help and after a few weeks the dogs looked completely healthy (I talket to a veterinarian here that said the naked skin was more often caused by flea allergy then by scabb).. The trouble with this method as I saw it was that it was 1 quite expensive and 2 - quite difficult to administer unless one knows the dog well.
Does anyone know something cheaper and easier to give to the the dogs that seem to have some serious flea problems (whatever they may be caused by)?

Again, Igor, I invite you to come & see for yourself. I'm not sure what you mean by cages. Do you mean pens where the dogs have a few square meters per dog, or do you mean cages where they can only stand, turn around & walk a couple of paces?

We have both. Cages are only used by paraplegic dogs, dogs with broken limbs that are mending or other very sick dogs. Virtually all of those dogs do get out for exercise twice a day.

Some of the dogs in the center are in pens with one or more other dogs. This is because these dogs are very territorial & fight. Again they get long exercise periods twice a day. The rest of the dogs in the center & in my home are in larger "natural" environments with many other dogs, but with shelter & beds.

OK, why do I keep any dogs? I'm not sure how much you know about dogs & territory/pack behaviour. This behaviour is very strong in LoS with so many strays. If you remove a dog for too long another dog will move in to take its place. If you put it back, there are fights (often dangerous ones) to regain territory. "Our" dog may become "homeless" and wander into other territories where they are again at risk. They can be victims of traffic accidents, or even poisoning if they are causing a disturbance to try to gain a territory. So, we don't put them back if they have lost their territory. We don't put pups back as they have no territory, so are at risk. We also don't put dogs back that we have removed due to threats of death (theirs), due to obvious reasons. All other dogs we would make an effort to neuter, vaccinate & release. We then keep a periodic eye on them on the streets. Occasionally, they make their way back to us & we have to take them in to stop the neighbours getting angry (this happened recently, actually)

Yes, a lot of skin disorders are caused by parasite allergies. Can you inject the dogs? Are they friendly? We could inject (in HH) friendly dogs with ivermectin solution. This is much cheaper & very effective. You can also give it orally (in food) & it's fairly effective that way too. If the dogs you are concerned about are in HH, let me know if we can help with this.

[Jockey]

'
We would have enough material here to make really a heart-warming story of HHDRC where a brave
farang lady fights an incessant uphill battle for her charity. Against all odds and using her own funds!
In spite of all the blows Life had dealt he recently.

I am sure some of the major dailies would buy a well written story (photos and all) of HHDRC.
There'd be enough of human interest, with English indomitable spirit, with the well-known English
concern for the welfare of the animals. I am sure once the story is published HHDRC would need
already to have an a/c available where the readers could send their donations once the story is published.
Same with the net facilities for accepting net donations.

So we need a reporter, someone who can write and use a camera as well. I mention no names,
but I am thinking of a certain personage who already writes for certain Asian magazine. *
As luck would have it, the same personage is capable of setting up the system for accepting
the net donations. What a lucky coincidence, indeed.

I am sure the best bet would be the big dailies as any other type of media won't yield such a good result.
That's why airline, golf and other magazines should be only on second place when thinking of the media.

* I am very pointedly looking at the "certain personage" who should now get off his rump and get to it!
,

Ferang - I don't think you are referring to me, but I can tell you The Hua Hin Mirror is interested in writing an article about the Street Dogs and the work HHDR does. 'We' are hoping to do something for the April edition and have already contacted Dawn.

On a more amusing note I have to admit whilst reading your post I thought you were taking the proverbial 'P' - particularly when I misread your words to read I am sure once the story is published HHDRC would already to have an a/c available - I thought you were being sarcastic and the funds would be used for air conditioning for the dogs! Of course I re-read it and realised I didn't read it right!

And on another note - I think some of the reaction to Blood's post was way out of order. Is no one allowed an opinion anymore if its not the same as yours? It was actually fair play to Dawn for pointing out the HHDR is not taking any credit for cleaning up the streets of Hua Hin from stray dogs although her planned neutering program, if it takes off, will hopefully help.

On a final final note if there are less dogs on the street than there were previously, and the HHDR centre is not taking the credit, where have they gone?

[STEVE G]

Dawn wrote:

I have previously approached international animal groups for funding. We have the problem that we are not a registered charity (it's very difficult to get charity status here, particularly for a farang run non-profit org, although we may be able to apply for foundation status). These groups only give to registered charities - which makes sense.

Dawn, I understand it’s not easy, but some sort of status would perhaps make a big difference, so that help could be solicited from charities or big business.
Seeing as how many tourists complain about the number of stray dogs in Hua Hin, you would think that the Hotel and tourism sector would see a benefit in supporting somebody who is trying to find a solution.

[caller]

Interesting, all this comment about cages/pens? Anyone been to Battersea Dogs Home recently? I have. I think its fair to say its internationally renowned? Yet dogs are kept 2/3 stories up, sometimes 2 to a pen in rooms/corridors very densely populated, quite unnatural, I would have thought?

I haven't seen HHDRC at its new location, but I did see the centre that was already there and it seemed pretty open and spacious to me.

Dawn, I got the photo of my namesake - thanks very much. I'm sure when we do settle in LOS, we'll be looking to take at least one of your inmates (joke) off of your hands.

Good luck with the rescue efforts.

[kiwi P]

To those people who dont know what happens to stray dogs and some they even breed them up in Chaing -Mai,,would horrify you,is gut wrenching ..But you people must know of that,and i'm not going to go into details,,

Blood... maybe Heart & Soul...You are correct this is a open forum,,your a newbie ..please do not criticise other peoples passion when you don't know any facts,and to the others that have jumped to the wrong conclusions ,,,Take up Dawns challenge and go look round the D.C,thats if you can spare some of your precious time,,maybe you might come out wiser,,,but then again...

Peace Out..

[igor1]

The dogs of Khao tao beach are a good example of dogs that would do well if it were not for diseases. Fat and very friendly (thus not misstreated) but horribly damaged by parasites.

If there is any medcation one could give them on a e.g. monthly basis (preferrably in foodform as they are unlikely to let me stick a needle in them) it would be very appreciated. - does anyone also know a place where this might be bought in Hua Hin?

I have met some other dogs that are completely without fur - they look like a fox with scabb in the last stages of its life. What is this caused by? anything one can do to treat them?

I would like to point out that I really apreciate the work you Dawn is doing to help the dogs. -The arguments against putting the dogs back are also valid

Where is the dog rescue center by the way?

Do you work together with the temple close to the elephant farm that seems to (at least feed) a lot of strays?

[chelsea]

On a lighter note I once distressed my (non British) wife when she put money into a collection box for the PDSA; I explained to her that it stood for the "Permanent Disposal of Sick Animals", at which point she lost her composure, she was even more upset when she realised she had been had

[/quote]

Nice one Cole, would have seen to see your wifes face. Bet you copped it large after that.


Dawn, I will PM you a couple of ideas on donations

[Big Boy]

igor1 wrote:

Where is the dog rescue center by the way?

The HHDRC web address is at the bottom of all of Dawn's postings, but if you've not seen it - http://www.dogrescuecenter.org

Hopefully, it will give you everything you need.

edit: Igor, when posted I misread Dawn's Site Map as being a map of where she was

Sorry

[Randy Cornhole]

Sorry to be so blunt but we still need people to man the shop,,,,, All you people who have posted and live here have some spare time so where are you.........?

[rosievictoria]

Dawn
Here is the email address of a contact at the Bangkok Post.
edam@bangkpost.co.th

Her name is Kusuma Mintakin and she has several propertys in Cha-am/Hua Hin.

She is in the editorial department she may be able to help if not I hope she can direct you to the right person.

rosievictoria

[DawnHRD]

The dogs of Khao tao beach are a good example of dogs that would do well if it were not for diseases. Fat and very friendly (thus not misstreated) but horribly damaged by parasites.

If there is any medcation one could give them on a e.g. monthly basis (preferrably in foodform as they are unlikely to let me stick a needle in them) it would be very appreciated. - does anyone also know a place where this might be bought in Hua Hin?

I have met some other dogs that are completely without fur - they look like a fox with scabb in the last stages of its life. What is this caused by? anything one can do to treat them?

I would like to point out that I really apreciate the work you Dawn is doing to help the dogs. -The arguments against putting the dogs back are also valid

Where is the dog rescue center by the way?

Do you work together with the temple close to the elephant farm that seems to (at least feed) a lot of strays?

Hi igor,

Firstly with the dogs with the parasites. If you would prefer to give them something oral in food, I can provide you with it, but for the best results you would need to give it about once a week for a month or so. If they have very bad itching or open sores, they would also need antibiotics & anti-inflamatories for a week. If it's just hair loss, then the ivermectin will be enough. If you want me to supply it I need to know for how many dogs and approx. weight of each one (a normal sized, fairly well fed Thai dog is about 15kg). There is also a powder you can give in food. I've never used it, as it's not licensed and also our vet won't sell it. However, one of our volunteers uses it on temple dogs she helps out with & has reported excellent results & no adverse effects. The ivermectin is a liquid, which you'd need to mix into or inject into food. If you want us to supply you with either of these, let me know. Once they're recovered, they only need the treatment once every 2-3 months.

The very bad cases you describe sound like mange. These do need injecting once a week for about 6 weeks or so. Again, the treatment could be given orally, but isn't quite as effective.

The place you describe is where we are but I'd like to point out, that you cannot see our center or our dogs from the road. The facility is the Tessadban run facility & we are not allowed to "interfere" with their dogs.

To find us, you walk through the gate of that facility, walk past the air-conned offices on your left and we are just past there (on the left). You'll see that there are many more shelters & that the dogs look different. There is a small gate in the fence & a little wooden bridge inside the gate. There are workers there 9 - 4:30 or 5pm, every day (but they do take a lunch break, so best not to come at lunchtime). I am there most weekday mornings. At the moment, I'm spending a little time away from there, fundraising on the computer or in the shop. The sick dogs, paraplegic dogs, those with behavioural problems & the pups are in my home in Khao Pitak. If you want to come & see them, that's fine, but please call first.