The Hidden Secrets of Paradise

Today a few more volunteers joined the shelter, Christie left at the weekend so I decided to change runs to meet some more of the dogs here (plus, some of the bigger ones I cant control on my own!). A1 has been taken over by 2 new people who seem perfect for the dogs in there and I'm still going to pop in and visit them each day.

I moved into the Hotel runs. The dogs within Hotel 1, Hotel 2 and Overflow are all animals saved from the illegal Dog Meat Trade. Around 50 at a time are put up for adoption & moved from a shelter near Bangkok to the shelter here in Phuket. I found the atmosphere different in these runs, a pack system has not had time to establish so there seemed to be less tension! (Most dogs are only there for a maximum of 3 months before they move to their new homes - Depending which country they have been adopted into/paperwork time/quarantine etc.).

The Dog Meat Trade itself is barbaric, inhumane and illegal in Thailand. My choice to come and volunteer at the shelter was hugely shaped by my interest in the efforts against the trade. I have been educated as time has went on and feel that nobody should turn a blind eye to this. It is shocking that so many tourists visit Thailand and have no idea of the abuse which goes on out of their sight.

Strays as well as stolen pets are taken from the streets of Thailand. They are crammed into small cages however many will fit - which often breaks their bones and suffocates them. Without food and water they make their way on packed lorries to the border headed for Vietnam, sometimes taking days. Those that survive the trip are then considerably tortured before they are butchered. Practices such as boiling and skinning alive are unthinkably believed to result in a higher quality of meat. Reports of insane cruelty have been found at all stages of the trade; sourcing, transportation, sale and slaughter.

Please watch this video giving a shocking insight into the severity of this trade.

Although I turned vegetarian this year, I understand that people eat meat, and for some dogs are a delicacy. I had people say to be before I left that I should try and 'understand that different cultures work in different ways'. I am against the cruelty of this trade. The unnecessary torture of any animal angers me and that is why I came here. I know that stopping the trade out of Thailand will not create an extinction of dogs being farmed for meat, which is sad, but if every dog saved from a brutal end here can be given a second hope then I am fully supportive of stopping the dog meat trade. As mentioned in the video above, 'we have heard claims that dog eating is part of culture and tradition... these are never excuses for cruelty'.

 

All dogs pictured are survivors of the dog meat trade

What surprised me most after spending my day with the survivors, was their affection. Humans have brutally severed the loyal trust of these animals yet most in the run all approached me for attention, let me groom them and sat with me. They seem happy. People that ignore this happening in the world, because it is too heartbreaking to watch videos on or see pictures of, have to remember that the suffering stops here and this can only continue by spreading awareness. I met one of the dogs today I had seen footage of crammed into a cage with his head stuck out the bars. It was amazing to see him free and happy.






Unfortunately, it is expensive to help save the sheer number of dogs caught at borders/in Thailand. Billboards are around which give rewards to people phoning in with information of a smuggle, the cost of living for this number of dogs is high plus the veterinary costs they all require.

By donating money at http://www.gofundme.com/jessiessoidogs you can be a part of this journey. Every dog here has been through such tragedy, and to come out still able to even approach a human proves that they deserve a long and happy future.

Please, donate and share this as much as possible. Thank you!