Safe spaces for animals as border violence continue in Thailand

As residents along Thailand’s border with Cambodia fled the ongoing fighting, many tried to take their animals with them. For those who were unable to do so, livestock officials stepped in to help.

Thailand’s Livestock Department asked its local offices to provide safe space for animals whose owners have had to evacuate, and the offices in several border provinces announced they were ready to do so.

In Surin province, several cages were placed under cover at the front of the local Livestock Breeding and Research Center as temporary kennels. Five dogs and two cats were staying at the center as of Sunday. The capacity is around 20 animals.

Sornchai Kongsook, director of the livestock center, said owners can leave their pets for free, but they have to be able to visit every day to take care of the animals.

“We have opened our space for cats and dogs that the residents, or farmers, can’t take into an evacuation center,” he said. “There are also some owners who have chosen to stay at a hotel, which doesn’t allow pets.”

In a related development, representatives of both Thailand and Cambodia governments have flown down to Malaysia to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing border conflict.