Read what Anna said about their first encounter and about her new forever family member.

“The kindest, sweetest SQUEAK arrived in Finland not more than one week ago. She must have been breaking some rescue dog records with her good nerves – it took more than ten hours on a plane to Helsinki and yet she was just eagerly wagging her tail in her crate when I saw her for the very first time here at the airport. She’s been the loveliest and bravest little girl ever since. I’d never thought everything could’ve gone this well, she’s just the best and I love her. I want to thank everyone working at LAW for doing your job so well and making this possible and so much easier I ever would’ve thought. With your work you’re saving animal lives and making the environment safer for humans as well, and also bringing so much happiness to peoples’ and animals’ lives. I’m so grateful to have a dog like Squeak and happy it was LAW I adopted her from! THANK YOU!”

– Anna Seppänen

Soon, Anna will be welcoming another family member, Monkey the cat, whom she met while visiting Lanta Animal Welfare. We can’t wait to hear how that reunion goes!

Do you want to experience the joy and rewards of welcoming a rescue animal home? Check out all the rescue dogs and cats still looking for their forever homes.

The post Love at first sight: Rescue dog Squeak’s homecoming in Helsinki first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

In Emma’s case, her friendship with a rescue dog named Cilla took some time. It was a bond built through patience, love and … butter buns. The former media volunteer shares her story of how their special friendship grew day by day. It’s one of the most rewarding aspects of being a volunteer. Sign up today and maybe one day, you’ll also have a story to tell about a rescue animal who leaves paw prints on your heart.

In her own words…

For me and Cilla, it was not love at first sight—far from it. It was a relationship that was forged little by little every day—with a lot of patience and love—over two months and eight days.

It started one afternoon when I was returning to Time for Lime from Lanta Animal Welfare. The Thai family that lived there told me that Cilla had escaped. I ran out to look for her without caring how long it had been or how far she could have gone. I did not expect what happened afterwards. I screamed Cilla’s name, hoping to find her still around, when I saw her head peek out from the bushes on the neighboring plot just 20 meters from home. She ran like crazy toward me, my arms already open and ready to receive the impact. We both cried because of the fright we both experienced, and the joy of seeing each other again. 

Since that moment, the days that followed were small victories for our friendship that unwittingly transformed into love, respect and a little mutual dependence. 

Cilla began to come up to the top floor and enter my room to make sure that I was still there. Other times, she simply kissed my shoulder or knee and then fell asleep in the doorway. But without a doubt, the best change I saw in her was every time I got home, she welcomed me as though I had been gone a thousand years or I was her favorite person in the whole world. 

Shortly after, I taught her to sit down but she was too smart. She did not allow herself to be bribed unless it was for dehydrated prawns or that 7-Eleven butter bun she loves so much. 

She is without a doubt the best part of my experience as a volunteer at Lanta Animal Welfare. When they told me there was a woman interested in meeting her, my heart skipped a thousand beats. Daniela came to meet Cilla that same afternoon. She came every afternoon that week to walk her to the beach. Cilla finally found her forever home in Germany!

The following days passed quietly. I woke up in the morning, had breakfast, and took the dogs for a walk: first Cilla and then Sheldon. On the night of February 5, I received the news that Cilla was ready and that they were coming to pick her up the next morning to go to the airport.

Of course, it was good news! Even so, I cried many tears that night. The news caught me off guard. That was our last night together… 

Once I calmed down, I thought if these are going to be our last hours together, we should make it special! I got on my motorcycle, drove to 7-Eleven, and bought two butter cakes. Fifteen minutes later, we were sitting on the floor of my terrace sharing a butter cake and watching “Modern Family” on Netflix. That night something very special happened that never happened in our two months and eight days living together: Cilla slept under my bed. And although that gesture made me cry again, I was grateful that she saved that trick for the end.  

Cilla now lives with her forever family in Germany! 

I still miss her; I always will! I’m lucky that Daniela and I are in contact so I can know how Cilla is doing: the first time she saw snow and her favorite spot in the carpet next to the window. Nothing makes me happier than thinking that I contributed a little to making THAT possible.

– Emma, former Media Volunteer

The post Bonded by butter buns: A volunteer and her rescue dog first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

Recently, a few Lanta Animal Welfare staff members, volunteers and dedicated dog walkers from jumped into a truck with a group of rescue dogs for a little Sunday FUNday.

Sunday FUNday started five years ago when a long-time volunteer asked our founder Junie what she would like to do on her one day off. Not surprisingly, it had to do with the rescue animals. Junie said it would be lovely to see them run freely.

They loaded the dogs and picnic baskets onto a truck and off they went to Lanta Noi, the smaller of the two islands. There are remote beaches and very few tourists, so it’s the perfect setting for the rescue dogs to run around and release their energy, and for many, swim in the ocean for the first time.

This latest Sunday FUNday involved Penny’s pack: Penny, Ariel, Annie, Lucas and Poppy. The fearless five loved the water and made a huge splash—they dove right in, swam and jumped around. Ariel became a bit hyper and got a head bop from Annie.

Check out the video to see all the fun that was had. Become a volunteer and you could be a part of Sunday FUNday someday!

The post Join the Rescue Animals for Sunday FUNday first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

Heavily pregnant Kia was purposefully hit by a car, hours away from the centre. We contacted two official agencies in the area responsible for dealing with animal abuse. Both turned down our pleads for help.

Please donate today.
Click Here. 

The post SAVE DOGS LIKE KIA first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

Our animals need more people like Rikard and Susanne to bring donations to our centre!

The post Our Puppies Need Toys! first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

Part of the process for adopted animals is traveling to their new home. We encourage people flying out of Thailand to take an animal with them.

Becoming a flight volunteer is so easy to do!

 We organize all the paperwork, and bring the animal to the airport.  We help the flight volunteer with the ‘check in’ process and pay any travel fees. The animal is safe and sound in a large cage (with food and water) that travels with the luggage, so there is no burden on the flight volunteer during the trip.  When arriving at the final destination, the cage is available for pick-up with the luggage and best of all, the new adopters are waiting at arrivals, often with a crowd of friends to help welcome their new family member!  We’ve had 100% success with this process.

 It’s a rewarding experience and a tremendous help for our adopted rescue animals.

For more details visit our Flight Voluteer Page: Click Here.

The post Our Rescue Efforts Need Flight Volunteers first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

But first, they need YOU.

Please Donate here: https://www.weeboon.com/en/campaign/urgent-need-for-a-dog-compound-at-a-local-temple

The post SAVE THEM FROM THE TORTURE. first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

Despite being fed, these four pups were still street dogs and they had all picked up injuries, as well as a serious skin infection. Libby had injuries so extensive that one of her eyes had to be removed. To make matters worse, they were all very afraid of people.

Look at them now!

May

Libby

Bath time!

Good quality food and regular, special baths allowed all four to make a healthy recovery.

The next challenge was socialisation and we were relieved to see Libby

Hovis & Crumpet

and May make gradual improvements. For the other two dogs, named Hovis and Crumpet, even the most basic interactions made them uneasy and they continued to shy away, and hide from people.

Thankfully, the lady from Ko Libong was happy to have them back. To ensure they stay in good health LAW is providing food, treatment and regular advice, as well as visits to check on their progress.

Libby and May are still with us and are up for adoption! They absolutely love attention and spend most of their days in our puppy pen, playing with the volunteers and visitors. They are improving everyday and even sit for their meals!

Adopt a stray dog today

If you can offer Libby or May a home or know someone who could, please contact adoption@lantanimalwelfare.com Our dogs and cats find homes all over the world

Can’t adopt? You can still help! To support or work in providing the best possible care for rescued animals, visit our donation page:

https://lantaanimalwelfare.com/donate/

The post Before & After | Libby & May first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

Lanta Animal Welfare is building a new cat house along with a brand-new cat area. Our current Cat House is old, damaged by termites, and too small for our cat population.

The construction broke ground this past June, and targeting the end of the year for completion.

We are calling this new area Kitty City. It will include:

• Cat House
• Visitor/Education Centre
• Lanta Animal Welfare Merchandise Shop
• Cat Play Garden
• Adopter Socialization Area

AND

• A Kitty Café, so visitors can chill with their favourite beverage/snack while they play with our rescue cats

For more information on how you can support our Kitty City Project click here: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/end-suffering-give-rescue-cats-safe-future/.

The post Kitty City is Under Construction first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

Set up in a local community centre, the mobile clinic was soon busy with cats and dogs to treat.

In addition to helping stray and owned animals on our island, we regularly run mass sterilisation and vaccination programmes on neighbouring islands and mainland areas. These places often have no other access to veterinary help so our volunteer vets also give first aid to any sick or injured animals found along the way.

During August 2017, the team returned to Phi Phi where they spent 5 days treating cats and dogs. The team treated many cases of flu, malnutrition and fight wounds while also administering vaccinations and sterilisations.

A record number of dogs were treated in Phi Phi during the August clinic. Here’s one of them with a volunteer vet.

In past mobile clinics the number of dogs receiving treatment on Phi Phi has been extremely low. This time however, 11 dogs were brought or caught – a record number for the island. Cats on the other hand were treated in huge numbers with 328 seen to over a non-stop 5 days.

The mobile clinics we carry out are vital to the work we do as an animal welfare centre. We couldn’t have done any of this without the help of: Phi Phi local Aek who took care of our team while on the island, the Visa Travel Team who helped us with transportation and our sponsors WTG.

A huge thank you to these organisations and individuals,

and of course to our fantastic team!

Our amazing team!

The post 300+ animals sterilised & treated in 5 days – our latest Mobile Clinic first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

A small team of veterinarians will be going to Koh Phayam and Ao Nang from 1-5th of March and 28th – 1st April to sterilise and treat their strays, do you know the perfect vet for the job?

Food & Accommodation is provided for the duration of their stay.

We need:

– Qualified veterinarians (5 years surgical experience)

– Qualified vet nurses or vet assistants/techs (min 1 year clinical experience)

– Trained veterinarian (min 3 years surgical/clinical small animal experience)

Providing cover at the Lanta Animal Welfare centre (surgical days 26th February – 12th March) with an extension offered if desired – most of our vets stay for a month or longer!

Email info@lantaanimalwelfare.com with your experience and dates to apply!

The post Call for vets for Koh Phayam & Ao Nang, Krabi mobile clinic! first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

Taking place on Friday December 30th 2016, this year you can take part in a 5K Run or 2K Walk for the Animals – with all proceeds going to Lanta Animal Welfare!

Update: December 19th – After discussions with the local police and due to safety reasons, unfortunately we are cancelling the 15K bike section of this event.

Register and pay online now to reserve your spot!
Alternatively, download and print the registration form and pay in person at Lanta Animal Welfare on December 29th or 30th from 13:00-16:00.

The race options:

5K Run – Starts at 17.30 at Lanta Animal Welfare
2K Walk – Starts at 17.00 at Thai Cat Restaurant, Long Beach
15K Bike – Starts at 16.00 at Lanta Animal Welfare

Entry Costs:

500 Baht for Adults

300 Baht for Thai

300 Baht for Children 12 and under

ALL proceeds go to Lanta Animal Welfare

Finish Line and After Party

Starts 17.00 at Pangea Beach Bar, Long Beach – All welcome!
Award Ceremony / Music / Raffle / Snacks and drinks

How to Register

Click here to register and pay online now via PayPal or credit/debit card! Alternatively, download and print the registration form and pay in person at Lanta Animal Welfare on December 29th or 30th from 13:00-16:00.

The post Join the fun at the 3rd Annual Run / Walk for the Animals! first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

There is always a cat or dog waiting to fly home all around the year. Almost always their only hope of getting to their new home is through someone flying to the same destination as their adopters who will offer to take them as excess baggage on their flights. Click here to find out who needs your help!

The post Be a HERO – Be a Flight Volunteer first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.

The post We still need your help first appeared on Lanta Animal Welfare.