Soi Dog Foundation

{{Infobox organization

| name = Soi Dog Foundation

| image = Soi_Dog_Foundation_Logo.jpg

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| formation = 2003

| founder = {{ubl|Margot Homburg Park|John Dalley MBE|Gill Dalley}}

| type = Nonprofit organisation

| registration_id = Phor.Gor. 39/2548 (Thailand)

| status =

| purpose = To improve the welfare of dogs and cats in Asia

| headquarters = Phuket, Thailand

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| region = Asia

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| fields = Animal welfare

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| leader_title = Director/manager

| leader_name = John Dalley MBE

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| website = {{URL|soidog.org}}

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Soi Dog Foundation is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to improving the welfare of stray dogs and cats across Asia. Its headquarters is in Phuket, Thailand, and it is a legally registered nonprofit organisation in Thailand, US, Canada, Australia, France, UK, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.{{cite web|title=About Soi Dog|url=http://www.soidog.org/en/about-soi-dog/|website=Soi Dog|publisher=Soi Dog Foundation|accessdate=7 November 2015}} Its primary goal is to care for homeless and abused dogs in Thailand.

The organisation was established by British couple John and Gill Dalley, with the help of Margot Homburg Park, in Phuket in 2003.{{cite web|last1=Berger|first1=Nomi|title=Soi Dog's growing presence in Canada|url=http://www.petconnection.ca/soi-dogs-growing-presence-in-canada/|website=Pet Connection|accessdate=7 November 2015|date=28 April 2014|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015802/http://www.petconnection.ca/soi-dogs-growing-presence-in-canada/|url-status=dead}} Its name, "Soi Dog", is derived from the Thai word soi, meaning "street", reflecting its mission to care for the street dogs and cats of Thailand. The Dalleys were inspired to start the foundation after witnessing the dire condition of stray animals in Phuket.

The foundation offers humane and sustainable solutions for controlling stray populations and meeting their medical needs. Soi Dog's efforts include spaying and neutering to prevent unwanted litters, and providing rescue, vaccination, medical treatment, shelter, and adoption services for animals unable to return to the streets.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.soidog.org/content/about-us |website=Soi Dog Foundation|date=21 March 2017 }}

The foundation has saved thousands of dogs from illegal trades, particularly for meat, and works to reduce free-ranging dog and cat populations through sterilisation.{{Cite web |last=Stuip |first=Arlette |date=15 November 2015 |title=ASH Students Fetch Big Funds for Soi Dog {{!}} The International Educator (TIE Online) |url=https://www.tieonline.com/article/1717/ash-students-fetch-big-funds-for-soi-dog |access-date=3 June 2024 |website=www.tieonline.com}}

It has received endorsement from international celebrities, including Judi Dench, Laura Carmichael, Peter Egan, and Ricky Gervais.{{cite news|last1=Dearden|first1=Lizzie|title=Ricky Gervais and Dame Judi Dench back campaign to stop Thailand dog meat trade|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/ricky-gervais-and-dame-judi-dench-back-campaign-to-stop-thailand-dog-meat-trade-9818198.html|accessdate=7 November 2015|work=Independent|date=24 October 2014}} The foundation's 2014 campaign led to the enactment of the Prevention of Animal Cruelty and Provision of Animal Welfare Act, the first animal welfare act in Thailand.{{cite news|last1=Klangboonkrong|first1=Manta|title=New Thai law against animal cruelty puts burden on humans|url=https://www.asiaone.com/asia/new-thai-law-against-animal-cruelty-puts-burden-humans|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023142537/http://www.asiaone.com/asia/new-thai-law-against-animal-cruelty-puts-burden-humans|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 October 2017|accessdate=7 November 2015|work=Asia One|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings Ltd . Co.|date=13 February 2015}}

Background and origin

Thailand, and other countries in Southeast Asia, are known for their stray dog populations.{{cite news|last1=Krausz|first1=Tibor|title=John and Gill Dalley battled Thailand's illegal dog meat trade|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/2015/0129/John-and-Gill-Dalley-battle-Thailand-s-illegal-dog-meat-trade|accessdate=7 November 2015|work=The Christian Science Monitor|date=29 January 2015}} Seeing the appalling situation in Thailand, American-born Margot Homburg Park decided to join hands with a British couple, John and Gill Dalley, to try and end the dogs' suffering. In 2003, the trio established Soi Dog Foundation by opening a clinic and recruiting veterinarians on a volunteer basis to take care of homeless dogs. For their name, they chose the Thai word soi, which means "street", or "alley".

John Dalley is a retired chemical engineer from Leeds, England, and Gill was a former bank employee. The couple had moved to Phuket for a retired life. John has stated: "We had a dog back home [in Leeds], but I wasn't particularly involved with animal rights. But you see these dogs [in Thailand] suffer, and you want to do something to help them."

They began by neutering and vaccinating stray dogs. Every year, Soi Dog spays/neuters and vaccinates tens of thousands of stray dogs and cats throughout Thailand, and in 2023, it surpassed the milestone of one million animals neutered since 2003.{{Cite news |last=Pacelli |first=Alessandra |date=11 September 2023 |title=Stray puppy becomes millionth animal to be neutered and vaccinated by Soi Dog Foundation |url=https://dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/2023/09/11/stray-puppy-becomes-millionth-animal-to-be-neutered-and-vaccinated-by-soi-dog-foundation/ |work=Dogs Today Magazine}}{{Cite news |last=Clifton |first=Merritt |date=18 September 2023 |title=Soi Dog celebrates a million animals fixed in 18 years; lesson for U.S |url=https://www.animals24-7.org/2023/09/18/soi-dog-celebrates-a-million-animals-fixed-in-18-years-lesson-for-u-s/ |work=animals24-7.org}}

In 2006, due to ill health, Margot returned to Bangkok, leaving Gill and John to lead the foundation.{{Cite news |date=21 March 2006 |title=Soi Dogs President resigns |url=https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/Soi-Dogs-President-resigns |work=The Thaiger}}{{Cite web |title=John and Gill's Story |url=https://www.soidog.org/content/john-and-gills-story |website=Soi Dog Foundation, www.soidog.org|date=21 March 2017 }}

In 2011, a permanent clinic was opened in Bangkok, the nation's capital.{{Cite web |date=10 August 2020 |title=Soi Dog Foundation Changed My Life – An Inspirational Story |url=https://www.k9magazine.com/soi-dog-foundation/ |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=K9 Magazine}} As a result of the foundation's vaccination effort, Phuket has seen only one confirmed case of rabies since 1995, in 2019.{{Cite news |date=18 January 2019 |title=Phuket officials, Soi Dog rally after dog rabies death |url=https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-officials-soi-dog-rally-after-dog-rabies-death-70080.php |work=The Phuket News}}

In 2017, Soi Dog launched a humane education programme, which totalled 15,058 students and 861 teachers by 2020. This led to the establishment of a school in Phuket, the Humane Education Centre, on 23 November 2020.{{Cite news |date=24 November 2020 |title=Soi Dog Foundation opens Humane Education Centre at shelter in Phuket |work=The Phuket News |url=https://www.thephuketnews.com/soi-dog-foundation-opens-humane-education-centre-at-shelter-in-phuket-78078.php}}

Gill died after a short battle with cancer on 13 February 2017.{{Cite news |title=Soi Dog co-founder Gill Dalley passes away |url=http://ecard.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30306255 |access-date=13 February 2017 |publisher=The Nation |archive-date=13 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213163931/http://ecard.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30306255 |url-status=dead }}

Activity

The primary mission of Soi Dog Foundation is to improve the welfare of stray dogs and cats in Asia, particularly in Thailand.

=Dog meat trade=

Until 2014, Thailand was known for its dog meat trade, with many animals being exported to Vietnam and China. Thailand's largest island, Phuket, is the location of the Soi Dog Foundation's Gill Dalley Sanctuary, where many former meat trade rescues have been sheltered, rehabilitated, and eventually rehomed through Soi Dog's international adoption programme.{{cite web|last1=Caroline|title=Secrets of the Soi Dog Foundation|url=http://www.thespiritualdogtrainer.com/secrets-of-the-soi-dog-foundation/|website=Spiritual Dog Trainer|accessdate=7 November 2015|date=14 May 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304130209/http://thespiritualdogtrainer.com/secrets-of-the-soi-dog-foundation/|url-status=dead}} As of April 2024, it was home to more than 1,800 former stray and at-risk dogs and cats.

Soi Dog has been dedicated to combating the dog and cat meat trades in Asia. Throughout the past two decades, they have rescued thousands of animals.{{Cite news |last=Farhoud |first=Nada |date=20 July 2023 |title=200 cats destined for dinner table rescued from slaughterhouse and given loving homes |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/200-cats-destined-dinner-table-30516340 |work=Mirror}} Soi Dog successfully eliminated the dog meat trade in Thailand and has also expanded its efforts to neighbouring countries, including Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries where this issue is widespread.{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Nina |date=19 June 2019 |title=Ending the dog meat trade: The Soi Dog Story |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/113601815/ending-the-dog-meat-trade-the-soi-dog-story |access-date=3 June 2024 |website=www.stuff.co.nz}}{{Cite news |date=23 August 2013 |title=Phuket's Soi Dog celebrates 10 years with fundraiser bash |url=https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-soi-dog-celebrates-10-years-with-fundraiser-bash-41524.php |access-date=3 June 2024 |work=The Phuket News}}

=Spay/neuter=

Between 2003 and 2020, the stray animal population of Phuket was reduced by about 90%.{{Cite web |last=Issarasena |first=Prowd |date=29 December 2020 |title=Soi Dog Foundation Rescued Half a Million Stray Cats & Dogs |url=https://thesmartlocal.co.th/phuket-stray-animals-saved/ |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=TheSmartLocal Thailand – Things to Do in Bangkok}}{{Cite news |date=26 June 2023 |title=Soi Dog supports Phuket's target of becoming the first rabies-free province in Thailand |url=https://www.thephuketnews.com/soi-dog-supports-phuket-target-of-becoming-the-first-rabies-free-province-in-thailand-88658.php |work=The Phuket News}}

The foundation has eighteen mobile spay/neuter and vaccination clinics across Thailand that primarily focus on the Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (CNVR) programme.{{Cite news |last=Chuenniran |first=Achadthaya |date=16 August 2022 |title=1m strays to be neutered in 2 yrs |work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2369863/1m-strays-to-be-neutered-in-2-yrs |access-date=18 August 2023}} In 2023, Soi Dog surpassed the milestone of one million animals neutered and vaccinated since 2003.{{Cite news |last=Newey |first=Sarah |date=7 December 2023 |title=Inside the world's largest rabies control drive – set up by British retirees |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/inside-worlds-largest-rabies-control-drive-british-retirees/ |work=The Telegraph}} As of April 2024, they had neutered and vaccinated 1,177,730 dogs and cats, making their CNVR programme the largest of its kind in the world.{{Cite web |title=Spay, Neuter and Vaccination (CNVR) |url=https://www.soidog.org/content/spay-neuter-and-vaccination-cnvr |access-date=27 May 2024 |website=Soi Dog Foundation|date=21 March 2017 }}

=Research =

The foundation provides research assistance to epidemiological studies of rabies,{{Cite journal |last1=Hiby |first1=Elly |last2=Rungpatana |first2=Tuntikorn |last3=Izydorczyk |first3=Alicja |last4=Rooney |first4=Craig |last5=Harfoot |first5=Mike |last6=Christley |first6=Robert |date=23 May 2023 |title=Impact Assessment of Free-Roaming Dog Population Management by CNVR in Greater Bangkok |journal=Animals |volume=13 |issue=11 |page=1726 |doi=10.3390/ani13111726 |pmid=37889632 |issn=2076-2615|pmc=10252118 |doi-access=free }} parasitic (filarial) infections,{{Cite journal |last1=Loymek |first1=Sumas |last2=Phuakrod |first2=Achinya |last3=Zaelai |first3=Kati |last4=Sripumkhai |first4=Witsaroot |last5=Vongjaroensanti |first5=Prapakorn |last6=Wongkamchai |first6=Sirichit |date=28 February 2021 |title=Investigation on the Prevalence of Canine Microfilaremia in Thailand Using a Novel Microfluidic Device in Combination with Real-Time PCR |journal=Veterinary Sciences |volume=8 |issue=3 |page=39 |doi=10.3390/vetsci8030039 |issn=2306-7381 |pmc=7997456 |pmid=33671040 |doi-access=free }} leptospirosis,{{Cite journal |last1=Sripattanakul |first1=Sineenat |last2=Boonchuay |first2=Kanpapat |last3=Prapong |first3=Teerasak |last4=Wajjwalku |first4=Worawidh |last5=Katzenmeier |first5=Gerd |last6=Haltrich |first6=Dietmar |last7=Hongprayoon |first7=Ratchanee |last8=Prapong |first8=Siriwan |date=10 December 2022 |title=Leptospiral Leucine-Rich Repeat Protein-Based Lateral Flow for Assessment of Canine Leptospiral Immunoglobulin G |journal=Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease |volume=7 |issue=12 |page=427 |doi=10.3390/tropicalmed7120427 |issn=2414-6366 |pmc=9787837 |pmid=36548682 |doi-access=free }} as well as drug (anaesthetic) effects.{{Cite journal |last1=Jiwlawat |first1=Nunnapas |last2=Pacharinsak |first2=Cholawat |last3=Durongphongtorn |first3=Sumit |date=1 June 2022 |title=Anesthetic effects of dexmeditomidine-tiletamine/zolazepam combination in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy |url=https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/tjvm/vol52/iss2/5 |journal=The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine |volume=52 |issue=2 |pages=267–274 |issn=0125-6491}}

Support

British celebrities Judi Dench, Laura Carmichael, Peter Egan, Penelope Wilton, and Ricky Gervais launched a public campaign to support the foundation in 2014. This proved a success in terms of political action: the National Assembly of Thailand passed its first animal welfare bill on 13 December 2014.{{cite news|title=Animal welfare bill 'too vague' – Phuket's Soi Dog charity|url=http://www.thephuketnews.com/animal-welfare-bill-too-vague-phuket-soi-dog-charity-49660.php|accessdate=7 November 2015|work=The Phuket News|date=14 November 2014}} On 27 December, the government enacted the Prevention of Animal Cruelty and Provision of Animal Welfare Act, which was the first animal welfare act in Thailand.

In 2005, Humane Society International gave $10,000 to the Soi Dog Foundation for rabies vaccination.{{Cite journal |last=Albrecht |first=Frances H. |date=2005 |title=Editor's Note: Tsunami Effects on Nonhuman Animals |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15327604jaws0801_6 |journal=Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science|volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=69–71 |doi=10.1207/s15327604jaws0801_6 |pmid=16004546 |s2cid=20528848 |issn=1088-8705}}

Thai entrepreneur Bright Vachirawit is also a supporter who regularly donates to Soi Dog, with his fan clubs actively contributing, especially during his "Make a Bright Wish{{Cite news |date=January 13, 2024 |title=แสนดีอบอุ่น! "ไบร์ท วชิรวิชญ์" CEO หนุ่มสุดฮอต ร่วมกับแฟนคลับ ช่วยน้องหมาน้องแมวจรซอยด๊อกต่อเนื่อง |url=https://siamrath.co.th/n/506695 |work=Siam Rath}}" birthday campaign. Singer and actor Chinawut Indracusin and his family adopted a dog and a three-legged cat{{Cite news |title=Daily News |url=https://www.dailynews.co.th/news/1718408/ |work=DailyNews}} from Soi Dog. He actively promotes the #adoptdontshop movement. Although he was eliminated in the second round of MasterChef Celebrity Thailand, where he competed to win a one-million-baht prize for Soi Dog,{{cite news|title="ชิน-หนูนา-ปุ๊กกี้" สุดสะบักสะบอม ทิ้งทวน MasterChef Celebrity Thailand |url=https://www.sanook.com/movie/105901/ |website=sanook.com |date=6 December 2020 |access-date=1 August 2024 |language=th |trans-title="Shin-Noona-Pookie" are totally battered and bruised, leaving MasterChef Celebrity Thailand behind}}{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Apart from the officials in the foundation, honorary ambassadors include Naomi Bromley, a British vegan campaigner; Dena Kaplan, an Australian actress, singer, and dancer;{{cite web|title=Dena Kaplan from NBC's 'Camp' Talks to Us About Her Healthy Living Philosophy, Body Image, & Shares a Favorite Recipe|url=http://therearenoroads.com/uncategorized/dena-kaplan-from-nbcs-camp-talks-to-us-about-healthy-living-as-a-young-starlet/|website=There Are No Roads|accessdate=7 November 2015|archive-date=21 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621222120/http://therearenoroads.com/uncategorized/dena-kaplan-from-nbcs-camp-talks-to-us-about-healthy-living-as-a-young-starlet/|url-status=dead}} Natalie Glebova, a Russian-Canadian model, writer, and holder of the Miss Universe 2005 title;{{cite news|title=Former miss universe star dogs, cats join charity fair|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Former-miss-universe-star-dogs-cats-join-charity-f-30236801.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625135632/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Former-miss-universe-star-dogs-cats-join-charity-f-30236801.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 June 2014|accessdate=7 November 2015|work=The Nation|date=21 June 2014}} and Kyle Leask, an autistic boy, and his dog Miracle, winner of the Eukanuba Friends for Life award.{{cite news|last1=Humphreys|first1=Nick|title=Mother's pride at Crufts award for "two little fighters"|url=http://www.highland-news.co.uk/News/Mothers-pride-at-two-little-fighters-18032015.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702025451/http://www.highland-news.co.uk/News/Mothers-pride-at-two-little-fighters-18032015.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 July 2015|accessdate=7 November 2015|work=Highland News|date=18 March 2015}} In 2019, Thai-British actor Peter Denman was appointed Grand Ambassador of the foundation.{{Cite news |date=31 January 2019 |title=Thai-British star Peter Denman named Brand Ambassador for Phuket's Soi Dog Foundation |work=The Phuket News |url=https://www.thephuketnews.com/thai-british-star-peter-denman-named-brand-ambassador-for-phuket-soi-dog-foundation-70233.php}}

Awards and honours

In 2011, Gill Dalley was named the first Asia Pacific Canine hero for her work with Soi Dog Foundation.{{Cite news |first= |date=28 June 2011 |title=Gill Dalley of Soi Dog Awarded the 2011 Canine Hero of the Year Award...|url=https://phuketnews.phuketindex.com/lifestyle/gill-dalley-185812.html#:~:text=In%202008%20Gill%20Daley%20became,work%20with%20Soi%20Dog%20Foundation. |work=Phuket News}}

In 2014, the Soi Dog Foundation received the Thailand Green Excellence Award, conferred by Princess Ubol Ratana. The award was instituted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and managed by Wanderlust Travel Media. The judges remarked: "Soi Dog Foundation demonstrates what a big difference one small organisation can make".{{Cite web |date=4 November 2014 |title=Soi Dog Foundation wins 2014 'Thailand green excellence' award in UK |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30246973 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=The Nation Thailand}} In 2023, the foundation's short film Love Will Always Triumph Over Evil, which depicted the story of Cola, a puppy whose front legs were amputated with a sword by an angry man, received the British Charity Film Award in London.{{Cite web |date=20 March 2017 |title=Soi Dog Foundation wins prestigious British charity film award |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30309658 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=The Nation Thailand}}

In 2020, John Dalley was included in the Queen's Birthday Honours List and was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his work with the foundation.{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=Tony |date=11 October 2020 |title=Leeds man John Dalley awarded MBE in Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to animal welfare after devoting his life to helping stray animals through Soi Dog Foundation |work=Yorkshire Post |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/leeds-man-john-dalley-awarded-mbe-in-queens-birthday-honours-list-for-services-to-animal-welfare-after-devoting-his-life-to-helping-stray-animals-through-soi-dog-foundation-2999720}}{{Cite web |last=Brewis |first=Harriet |date=9 October 2020 |title=The Queen's Birthday Honours list 2020 in full |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/queen-s-birthday-honours-list-recipients-2020-a4567801.html |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=Evening Standard}}{{Cite news |date=11 October 2020 |title=Soi Dog Foundation founder gets British royal award |work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2000283/soi-dog-foundation-founder-gets-british-royal-award |access-date=18 August 2023}}

In 2023, Soi Dog was named Best Animal Welfare in Asia Non-Profit Organisation by Acquisition International.{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Soi Dog /Soi Dog Marketing Ltd {{!}} Best Animal Welfare in Asia Non-Profit Organisation 2023 |url=https://www.acquisition-international.com/winners/soi-dog-soi-dog-marketing-ltd/ |website=Acquisition International}}