Changing the Lives of Suffering Street Dogs
Many millions of Street Dogs in Asia struggle through their entire lives without even the most basic care. In addition to starvation, painful illnesses, fighting injuries, and road accidents, many also suffer horribly at the hands of humans. One reason for the abuses hurled at them is lack of education, but also fear of the diseases they might carry. Dog who lack even a community caregiver are often shot, snared, or poisoned.
In addition to the street and feral dogs, many (if not most) dogs living with human families in rural villages have limited-to-no veterinary services throughout their entire lives. We treat innocent animals suffering from advanced mange, parasitic fever, injuries that lead to maggot infestations and paralysis, and other common but tragic conditions. Educational outreach, medical and nutritional support, and of course sterilizations and vaccinations are imperative to stop the cycle of needless suffering.
Although it stretches our funding to the limit, we know you too would feel the call to help if you witnessed the fear and pain in their eyes. Dogs with Heart is currently in Thailand, and previously we treated hundreds of dogs in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Myanmar, traveling by tuk tuk, motorcycle, bicycle and on foot.
Every situation in every country is different, and we keep learning (and teaching) how to best help these innocent animals. It’s incredible to see the healing that happens, even while working in rough conditions with limited supplies, and equally amazing to see fear turn to love through steadfast Compassionate Action.
All of our work is done free of charge. Street dogs are treated in the field when at all possible, and Family dogs are treated in their homes. When we run clinics, people travel long distances on foot, bicycle, tuk tuk or tractor to help their animals get well.
We admit that it’s easy to anger when a Family Dog looking like this fellow shows up at one our Mobile Medical Clinics. And yet, his family does love him, doing all they could to access help for their dog and look at him now, happy, healed, and healthy! They just needed a little help to make it happen, and that’s where the Heart steps in!
People living far from veterinary services want to take care of their dogs, but often living in remote villages simply does not give them many options or choices for such care. It doesn’t take long for the word to get out, though, and before you know it there are people eagerly waiting for their dogs to get the help they need.
De-ticking, de-worming, and rabies vaccinations are needed literally everywhere we go. We do our best to help the animals in need, but to also generate interest in the villages for local people to want to help—and then be empowered to help—so that the care can continue long after we are gone.
This is Lil’ Justice, another puppy that was dumped at our door in the middle of the night. We did everything possible for her, but sadly we could not save her. We buried Lil’ Justice with a promise to always remember her, and to do whatever it takes to expand our Sterilization Outreach in her name. We love puppies, but too many puppies on the street means too much suffering, and your donation helps break that cycle once and for all.
Although it often feels overwhelming, change IS happening. When people can access health care for their dogs and are less-threatened by street dogs, aggression decreases while tolerance increases and that kinder world begins to appear for those formally left behind.
They all matter…One of our specialties is working with street dogs that have been paralyzed, usually from accidents or parasitic illnesses. Soldier Boy became one of our “happy futures” after being found collapsed in the dirt by an army base in Thailand. Collaborative care helped turn this old fella from a shut-down “bitey” dog into a happy and sweet darling (who now has a girlfriend named Grandma). Every dog we meet is a Dog With Heart!
SHARE THE LOVE
Dogs With Heart is currently working in Thailand, sharing Humane Education and hands-on Outreach. Thank you for helping extend that reach by making a quick donation for all of the waiting Dogs With Heart!
