The History Of The Soi Dog Foundation
The Soi Dog Foundation was originally established by Margot Homburg Park in 2003.
In late 2003 she moved to Phuket where she met John and Gill Dalley who had recently moved there.
Phuket was growing rapidly and the stray dog population was growing exponentially and getting out of control.
John and Gill had determined to do something to resolve the problem, and recognised that the only proven way was for mass sterilization of the local population of dogs and cats.
They joined forces with Margot and SDF held its first clinics utilising volunteer vets from overseas in October 2003. 2004
saw numerous clinics held around the island, the foundation began to grow.
When no volunteer vets were available Dogs would be taken to local vets, who provided low cost sterilization for the foundation.
At the end of 2004, two events occurred which could well have seen a less committed organisation go the wall:
- Leone Cosens who was a major volunteer looking after the south of Phuket was killed directly by the Tsunami.
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Gill Dalley contacted septicemia while rescuing a dog from a flooded water buffalo field and lost both her lower legs, and nearly her life as a result.Gill's story can be seen on this video of the Singapore "Asian of the Year" program.
However, with the eyes of the world on the region at that time, over 50 volunteer vets arrived over the following 3 months and Soi Dog worked around the clock operating clinics not only on Phuket but throughout the region. At one point 3 clinics were running simultaneously and Gill on release from hospital was fully involved although wheel chair bound at that time. Soi Dog received several awards from amongst others; the Humane Society and the prestigious Elizabeth Lewitt award.
In addition WSPA who had organised a Tsunami appeal, agreed to finance the foundations sterilization program for the next 2 years, which resulted in Soi Dog being able to employ 2 full time vets, full time dog catchers and nursing staff. This saw a rapid increase in the number of sterilizations carried out.
In late 2005 the foundation (already officially registered in the Netherlands) became the first society of its type to be granted official foundation status in Thailand, and a principally Thai board was established. Although never its intention, late 2005 saw it necessary to look for land to establish a shelter as over 100 dogs were now living at its clinic in Phuket City.In early 2006 Margot moved to Bangkok where she continues to educate and pursue a sterilization program there. Also in 2006 the Foundation established a clinic at the Government dog pound, and invested over 3,000,000 Thai Baht improving the conditions for the dogs there.
The 100 dogs from the clinic in Phuket Town were moved to newly built runs there and managed by the Foundation.
In March 2008 the foundation was asked to find its own premises as the Government needed the land Soi Dog was using.
A large area was found in Mai Khao and construction began on building a new shelter which remains the headquarters of the foundation today.
The Foundation has continued to grow. Soi Dog currently employs 4 full time vets and 20 other staff members including dog catchers and shelter personnel.
Sterilization continues as the major focus with over 36,000 dogs and cats sterilized on Phuket and in neighboring provinces where local hotels and local government continue to ask for support. The shelter and hospital always has over 250 dogs on site, many receiving treatment for wounds and injuries. Soi Dog only keeps and rehomes dogs that have been subject to cruelty and abuse and therefore cannot be returned to the same situation. Soi Dog's education program works with local schools, with the intent of changing the attitude of the next generation in regards to responsible pet ownership including sterilization of pets.
In 2011 Soi Dog Foundation completed the purchase of the land on which the shelter is located. Soi Dog continues to improve the facilities and expand its sterilization programs to other regions, with the intention of eventually being established throughout Thailand.
Soi Dog's accounts are fully audited and submitted to the Thai Government and the international animal charities watchdog, Animal People (Animal People's Website) in the United States each year.
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