Surin Livestock Dept Opens Animal Shelters for Border Conflict

Arnun Chonmahatrakool

In times of disaster, it's not only people who are affected; pets are also lives that require proper care and attention. Recognizing this, the Department of Livestock Development in Surin has opened dedicated animal evacuation areas in the Thai-Cambodian border region. These centers operate with a shared care system between pet owners and local officials. "Animals brought into the center require their owners to help care for them. It's not just about dropping them off and disappearing," explained a Department of Livestock official. He added that prolonged confinement in cages can cause stress to animals, so owners are required to visit, feed them, and take them for regular walks. Daily, owners visit their animals in the mornings and evenings, especially those who reside in the same human shelters, as some human shelters do not permit pets. Therefore, officials have arranged specific areas for animals and provide necessary medication and food. However, space for animals is limited. Officials prioritize accepting only animals whose owners can commit to their care, ensuring each animal receives appropriate attention. Larger animals, such as cattle and buffalo, can also be brought in. Due to safety restrictions preventing officials from entering "red zones," many owners are responsible for transporting and caring for their large animals themselves. Regarding animal provisions, owners must collect supplies from the center to take back to areas still affected by the conflict. T