Verity and Dawn at Head Rock Dogs probably didn’t think they would overcome the intense pressure bullied upon them by Hua Hin authorities, who were telling them their facility would be raised to the ground on the 27th September 2008, no matter what dogs remained at their shelter, which also served as the base for their community support operation.

Amid the ugly scenes in the small and bitter community where they tried to provide a humane and caring service, Verity and Dawn reached out to Thailand and the rest of the world to ask for help.

Care for Dogs recognised their plight and realising that Head Rock Dogs needed to find homes for over 130 animals at their shelter, immediately offered to take 5 of their dogs. They duly arrived and were re-homed from our own shelter here in Chiang Mai.

Placing 130 dogs into new homes in a very short time is an amazing feat to attempt but they did it. They were haunted by the horrific consequences arising from their failure to re-home their dogs. The local authority have a facility which is locally renown as ill treating animals.

Only 2 weeks ago “D-Day - 15″ Care for Dogs were only too pleased to assist Verity and Dawn, who were now desperate to find the remaining 60 of the massive 130 dogs, somewhere to go. We agreed that Care for Dogs shelter although full and otherwise unable to take more dogs, agreed to take a further 6.We wrote a little about that here …

The Head Rock Hearts then put another plan in motion and through various contacts around the world, traveling crates were sourced from Diane, a very generous lady in Chiang Mai and funds to fly the dogs was found from people in Canada and Thailand.

Today, at 06:00, the 6 dogs were to start their flight for freedom but little did Dawn know the day would initially be intensified with even more incident. The local authorities were at the shelter and setting fire to the land around the shelter and brought additional stress upon the already angry situation, causing some dogs to make a frightened dash for freedom. Dawn had a schedule to keep and after what must have been an extremely anxious time, managed to recapture the dogs that were due to fly to Chiang Mai.

Care for Dogs welcomed the 6 at the airport, just after 15:00 and the looks on the dogs faces and in their eyes was one of relief, not fear.

After a short journey by road, the traveling crates were placed in one of the quieter enclosures at the shelter in Hang Dong and the ties on the crate doors were gently cut away and doors opened with tears in every ones eyes.

Some of the 6 were more hesitant than others but it was immediately clear that these were socialised dogs and wanted to lick our faces and offer their paws with affection.

It was as if they knew the safety they had come to.

Their eyes were so telling, looking for our eyes and holding our smiles.

Cuddles were easy and when food and water was prepared, they immediately took all they could get without any squabbling.

This is not quite the end of their amazing journey, lets hope they find new homes with new hope after their terrible ordeal.

Everyone at Care for Dogs is extremely happy to have these refugees with us and we hope they are able to find a permanent home. They are still young enough to adjust to new surroundings, they are old enough to give unquestionable love and affection.

If you are interested in adopting any of these or other dogs at the shelter, please get in touch by email or phone 0847 52 52 55.

The last word in this post must go to Verity and Dawn and all those that pulled together with one aim, that being to find every one of the 130 dogs a safe place to stay.