The pandemic COVID-19 has a strong influence on neglected animals in Thailand. Cats and dogs in animal shelters were also impacted, in addition to those on the streets.
The Soi Dog Project is one of the institutions facing frequent donor cancellations. While it is expected to be a decrease in donations during the health crisis, its operations director McElroy said the situation has turned "very difficult" particularly for non-profit organizations that are not receiving government funding.
"We just should hope the slowdown will not last too long. We are still seeking creative ways of raising funds, but during this period they are also challenging, "he said, adding that the pandemic had a" significant knock-on impact "on the population of the shelter.
Flight limits for international pandemic control have prevented the adopted cats and dogs from moving overseas to their new homes. At the same time, because of economic instability, the local adoption system was slowing down.
Thailand has a large number of stray dogs and cats. According to Theerawut Suwathanathao of the Livestock Department's Animal Welfare and Veterinary Service Division, nearly two million of them filled the streets nationwide last year – a rise from some 800,000 in 2018.
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