Tsunami Animal Relief efforts in Thailand

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

 

 

 

The Wildlife Friends of Thailand and the Thai Animal Guardians Association

have started their relief efforts after the Tsunami in Southern Thailand

since last week. On receiving many cries for help and reports in the media

we have made a complete assessment of the whole disaster area and provided

immediate help where needed.

 

 

 

We would like to inform hereby that the following assessment has been made;

 

 

 

" Phuket - The beaches of Kamala and Patong are hardest hit. Most damage was

done directly to the coast-line; however in both villages people are still

living and building up their houses and businesses. The companion-animal

situation (dogs and cats) is almost normal. Some feeding of the animals

would be preferred, but with the declined amount of animals this is neither

an emergency nor a big task. No further assistance is needed.

 

 

 

" Koh Phi phi - All animals are being removed from Phi phi by several

organizations, therefore the situation is resolved. No further action is

needed until people will move back to the area, and the animals can return.

Some organizations have transferred the animals to shelters in Bangkok and

Phuket; we hope this will be temporarily.

 

 

 

" Phangnga and Kao Lak - This area is hardest hit. Over 20 Kilometers of

coast line and at some places as much as 1 kilometer inland everything is

destroyed. In over 15 villages dogs, cats and pigs are still roaming,

however people have left these areas out of fear for the returning water,

and the lack of electricity and fresh/clean water. A total number of

approximately 400 dogs, 200 pigs and some cats need supplies of water and

food. No veterinary care is available in the area, and on some smaller

islands animals have been left behind. The Wildlife Friends of Thailand are

ready in cooperation with the ThaiAGA, to set up a temporary field-clinic

and animal care unit. The staff and equipment are being mobilized to set up

this center in Kao Lak. A generous donation that has been pledged by the

Humane Society and the Animal Asia Foundation will cover all cost of this

project.

 

 

 

On some smaller islands animals have been fed and some temporarily

relocated. A temporary shelter will be set up at Kao Lak as we do not want

to relocate any animals to shelters in Phuket or Bangkok, moving will create

significant trouble elsewhere, and animal welfare is not served by locking

up animals and displacing them. We feel that most animals can return to

their original locations after the people have done this also. Priority is

to return to normal life as far as possible.

 

 

 

In the future money might be needed for new projects and/or different causes

that may arise. For the dog and cat situation we have been assured that more

than enough financial help has been provided. Reports that animals are

starving due to the Tsunami are unfounded.

 

 

 

Any concerns regarding animals in distress in Southern Thailand can be

reported to the Wildlife Friends of Thailand or the ThaiAGA;

 

 

 

Edwin Wiek - +66-9-5461398 (Thai or English) Edwin.wiek

 

Amy Corrigan - +66-1-1924683 (English) Amy.corrigan

 

Roger Lohanand +66-1-8080769 (Thai or English) Thaiaga

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edwin Wiek

- Wildlife Friends of Thailand

 

www.wfft.org <http://www.wfft.org/>

 

edwin.wiek