Thailand provides refuge for abandoned pets amid border violence

In response to armed clashes along the border with Cambodia, which began last week and have resulted in numerous fatalities and mass displacement, Thailand's Livestock Department initiated a program to assist domestic animals left without care. Local offices in the border provinces started offering safe accommodations for pets whose owners have had to flee due to the ongoing violence. As of Sunday, the facilities had taken in five dogs and two cats, with a capacity to support around 20 animals in total. The program aims to alleviate the stress for pet owners who find themselves in precarious situations, unable to bring their pets to evacuation centers or secure lodgings that accommodate animals. One owner, Wilawan, expressed profound relief that her pets could stay safe while she attended to the pressing needs of evacuees at a shelter established in her school. She explained that she could not risk leaving her pets at home alone amid the chaos, fearing they would suffer from anxiety or shock. The livestock center allows owners to leave their pets at no cost, provided that the owners can visit daily to care for them. This initiative has garnered gratitude from the local community, and livestock officials are prepared to welcome additional animals as needed. Unfortunately, no livestock have yet been left at the center, leading to a situation where they roam freely in areas largely deserted due to the conflict. The ongoing violence has triggered a humanitarian response, and the center aims to support both human and animal needs amid this crisis.