Hope for Strays: A Sanctuary in Peril
Set amidst the serene locales of Nongprue, on the eastern fringes of Pattaya, Hope for Strays Foundation has ringed in a ray of light for a multitude of forsaken canines for close to a decade and a half. However, in a rather untimely twist, this registered non-profit organization, currently home to over 300 dogs, is fast approaching an uncertain future as the tenure of their land lease ceases to exist in March of the coming year. Subsequently, the need for a new haven for these adorable creatures has become the need of the hour – a challenge that is not short of complications.
Over its fifteen-year tenure, the Hope for Strays has been a safe haven for countless deserted, mistreated, and uncared-for dogs. Throughout the span of the past seven years, these unfortunate animals found solace at the shelter, with a loving, nurturing environment presenting them with a golden opportunity to start afresh. The shelter has overseen the administration of thousands of vaccinations, sterilization of over 400 dogs, and an innumerable count of veterinary treatments for those ail or hurt.
The sight of these once neglected beings now facing a future drowned by uncertainty and absent of their shelter is indeed distressing. A spokesperson for the foundation expressed the heartache associated with the impending danger of not securing a new shelter for these defenseless animals. They emphasized the urgent requirement for monetary aid to construct a new sanctuary to provide a safe and enjoyable haven for the dogs.
Today, the crisis necessitates urgent funding for a variety of purposes. An immediate requirement is sourcing suitable land. The only promising possibility, at this juncture, is a farmland located centrally in north Thailand. Though funds to own the land have been paid, the place is devoid of the essential services demanded for the smooth operation of the shelter. Furthermore, the area registers a lesser influx of visitors, who are substantial contributors to the financial resources of the foundation in Pattaya.
Once the terrain is acquired, the undertaking of constructing the new shelter comes into play. A purpose-built design featuring suitable enclosures, comfortable living quarters, adequate ventilation, and all the essential amenities makes the shopping list to fulfill the needs of the rescued dogs. Simultaneously, the existing shelter faces dismantlement to fall in line with the landowner’s terms of returning it to its original state.
The gravity of the situation is best underlined by the urgency of the whole affair. Adequate time is a necessity to design, seek permits, and build the new shelter, in addition to dismantling the old shelter and overseeing the transfer of Foundation registration.
An initial funding of 1 million baht is projected to bring the vision to reality, by building a perimeter wall around the land, introducing electrical services, and kick-starting the kennel construction. At this crucial juncture, these adorable, innocent lives hinge on the collective efforts of all stakeholders to ensure a safe and congenial atmosphere. It’s time for us to stand up and ensure that no dog is left to fend for itself or undergo suffering due to the circumstances they quite literally have no control over.
To chip in your contributions towards constructing a new shelter, visit the Hope for Strays Foundation’s official website.
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