FAQ
This is a list of Frequently Asked Questions. It is by no means exhaustive and will grow as and when additional FAQ’s are required.
Please select one of the following categories:
General Information
Q - Where is the shelter located ?
A - Please read directions and see a full size map here, in English or Thai
What time is the shelter open ?
We’re open from 9am to 5pm, every day.
We usually break for lunch between 12-1pm. As we’re typically busy around the shelter giving medication, food, cleaning ears, giving fluids to acute cases, providing massage therapy, giving injections, cleaning, bathing, and occasionally playing with the dogs (!), it makes it easier for us to be most available to you if you schedule an appointment to come by and visit!
Q - Does Care For Dogs react to emergency calls ?
A - We do react to calls from people who have either found a cat or dog injured or ill, or in imminent danger of death from abuse or other human act.
When there is a legitimate emergency and village owners or monks cannot pay for the full costs of veterinary care we have, at times, helped out financially. But due to limitations in budget and our focus being primarily on spaying/neutering, we cannot sponsor all emergency cases.
Each situation is reviewed on a case by case basis.
Q - If I find an injured animal, what should I do ?
A - Please take the animal immediately to the vet or the emergency clinic. Costs typically run between 500 to 2000 baht, depending on the services needed.
Q - Can I bring an unwanted pet to the Care for Dogs shelter ?
A - Our shelter has a capacity. Typically, we are at or over that level.
As we are overwhelmed with requests to take in very ill dogs or dogs that are at high risk of being poisoned or killed. We can only consider taking in severe and emergency cases.
We encourage all owners to consider other options before asking us to take their unwanted pet in, including dog training if behavior is a problem.
Q - Are you a no-kill shelter ?
A - Yes, we are a no-kill shelter. We do not euthanize dogs unless they are in immense and un-treatable pain. Our priority is to offer quality of life to all dogs and our shelter, under no circumstance, will euthanize a healthy animal.
Adoption
Read more about adoption opportunities here …
Q - Can anyone adopt an animal from Care for Dogs shelter ?
A - Yes…. but!
We do however ask that the person who will be the future owner (and not a third party) be present to choose which dog they want to adopt!
- We also ask that the house the dog will be living in have a closed yard or be far from a busy road
- We ask as well, that the dog not be left alone for more than 2-4 hours at a time or else we encourage that the dog be adopted along with a doggie partner in order for them to be companions while left alone
- We also request that all future owners sign a contract promising that the dog will not be abandoned at a future date to a temple or third party as well as will be spayed if too young for us to have done so at the time of adoption
- And we also include in the contract a reminder that we will carryout follow up visits to the new home, observing behavior, relationship, health and well being of the adoptee(s). We will recover the dog back to the shelter if living conditions are not appropriate.
Q - I want to adopt a pet. How do I find a pet and apply for adoption ?
A - A visit to our shelter is the surest way to find out what pets are currently available for adoption and what our adoption policies are!
Q - What types of animals are available for adoption ?
A - Adult dogs as well as puppies. Although we sometimes have pure-bred dogs, most of our dogs are pure (and lovable!) cross bred mixes.
Q - I’m looking to buy a purebred dog, do you know where I could get one?
A - Our work with dogs in Chiang Mai inevitably brings us into contact with many purebred dogs in the guise of Labrador, Retriever, Tsitzu, Poole, Alsatian, Sharpie, Ridgeback, Bull Terrier to name but a few.
In our considered opinion, the continued breeding of purebred dogs, to a certain degree, exacerbates the dire problems dogs face in Thailand and would not ever recommend purchasing a dog as there are already so many homeless dogs either in shelters of living on the streets or at temples, all equally loving and ready to be a good companion. We believe that adoption is far better than buying.
We have witnessed breeders dumping puppies in temples or on the street and heard of breeders killing the extra dogs they are not able to sell. Many individuals have come to us after adopting purebred dogs from markets, only to find that the pups were never vaccinated and since they were separated from their mommy way too early, become sick with either parvo or distemper.
The situation is disheartening.
Why not make visits to our shelter and observe the behaviours and character of a wide range of dogs. They are eagerly awaiting a new home.
Q - How much does it cost to adopt an animal ?
A - We do not charge a fee for adoptions. We do not feel that financial means of the adopter are as important as the love each owner has to give to an individual dog!
Donation
Read about donating to Care for Dogs here…
Q - Can I make a donation of food, pet supplies / accessories, etc. to Care for Dogs ?
A - Yes. We will gratefully accept material items such as leads or leashes, toys, de-worming, flea and tick products, shampoo, towels etc. And yes we accept FOOD too!
Additionally, we accept office supplies such as paper, ink for the printer, phone cards, etc. We’re also actively looking for donations of either a microscope (to detect mange/bacteria/yeast on skin as well as worm eggs in fecals) or a used car for transporting dogs to and from the vet!
Q - Can I make a donation in honor of a person or special event?
A - Yes! You can make a donation either directly to our bank account, through paypal, bank transfer or check and directly at the shelter. Full bank details can be found here…
An acknowledgment / thank you card will be sent to the person of honor!
Let us know what the special person / event is and our dogs will send a card for the occasion. There is no minimum donation!
Q - How do I make a donation in memory of a family member or pet ?
A - A donation in memory of someone you have lost, is a meaningful way to honor their memory, while helping animals who are in so much need of help.
We are deeply touched, when grief for your loved one, elicits generosity to the many dogs who need love.
Q - I’d like to give regularly. Does Care For Dogs have a monthly pledge program ?
A - We welcome regular donations as without these, we cannot plan our future activities.
Our paypal account accepts donations in the form of a Subscription, automatically transferring donations on a monthly or yearly basis.
Volunteering
Q - How do I become a volunteer at the Shelter ?
A - Email us at contact@carefordogs.org and briefly describe how you would like to help us and include some background information, such as whether you are resident or on holiday, have you experiences or skills in a particular area and what level of commitment you can offer.
Let us know if you’re interested in grooming, walking, playing with dogs, vet runs, administrative work or helping us at fund raising events.
We’ll write back and arrange to show you around the shelter!
Q - Can children and teenagers volunteer at Care For Dogs ?
A - Absolutely! We encourage young adults to come and volunteer if accompanied by adults.
Some of our volunteer opportunities, however, can be unsuitable for young children or individuals with limited prior exposure to dogs (it can be overwhelming to be surrounded by 100 shelter dogs!).
Volunteer opportunities may be categorised into the following groups.
- At home - We also encourage people to help their community or foster care dogs at their homes. Other home based opportunities like admin work, translation work are all essential, demanding and important.
- School-based, like educational programs.
- Shelter based activities - Dog grooming / socialization
We’re also always looking for people to come raise support at fund raising events!
Miscellaneous
Q - My dog barks continuously. What can I do ?
A - There could be a number of reasons why your dog is a barker, but the most likely reason is that they are lonely or bored, especially when left alone for long periods of time.
All dogs are “pack animals” and like to be inside the house when their humans are home. Most behavior problems such as barking, digging, chewing and hyperactive behavior are a request for attention.
Try increasing the dog’s interaction with the family and their exercise, and also provide them with chew-toys and other things to keep them busy during the day.
Some individuals find that bringing a dog in at night with the family helps keep the dog happier and reduces noise.
Q - I’m interested in bringing the dog I’ve adopted in Thailand back home with me. Is this feasible?
A - Each country has different standards regarding vaccinations and minimum quarantine requirements.
Some countries require only proof of Rabies vaccination and don’t impose any quarantine times (i.e. most states in the United States) while others ask that you send a blood sample months in advance to check for rabies or ask that you place you dog in quarantine for up to 6 months.
We recommend that you check with your country of origin as to their standards before considering adoption as any adoption is a long term commitment!
For additional information on any of the above please do not hesitate to e-mail us at contact@carefordogs.org
