Photos: Thai shelter for disabled stray dogs threatened by COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 pandemic led to a 40% drop in donations, slashed the number of foreign visitors

Last updated: February 05, 2021 | 10:47

Reuters and Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor

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Chonburi, Thailand: With tails wagging to a chorus of barks and yelps, more than two dozen dogs attached to wheels that support their disabled hind legs scramble along a rocky path, taking their daily exercise.

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Mostly victims of accidents, the 27 dogs are being nursed back to health at a shelter in Thailand's province of Chonburi southeast of the capital, Bangkok.

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"It's almost like they have no idea that they have a disability and once you put them in the wheelchair for the first time, it's like there's no learning curve," said shelter official Christopher Chidichimo.

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The shelter, run by a foundation called The Man That Rescues Dogs, was set up 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.

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But its future is now in doubt, after the coronavirus pandemic led to a 40% drop in donations and slashed the number of foreign visitors.

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"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.

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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.

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Its volunteers also look after paralysed and disabled dogs, including physiotherapy sessions, but scarce funds have forced it to suspend a monthly campaign to spay and neuter strays.

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Thailand, estimated to have more than 800,000 stray cats and dogs in 2017, could see their number reach 2 million by 2027 and 5 million in 20 years unless it takes some steps to control numbers, livestock authorities says.

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For now, the disabled dogs in Chonburi enjoy their daily rambles.

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"They are eager for us to strap them up," said dog handler Phanuphong Borphuak, referring to the canine mobility aids.

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"They run very fast, we humans can't keep up with them."

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