I was always taught charitable giving was not optional — my parents give their time and resources generously enough to be recognized for it in our community, and raised my sisters and I to do the same. Somewhere between allowance age and adulthood I lost the way. While I've donated sporadically to causes that friends bring to my attention or campaigns that pull at my heartstrings, I earn an income now and feel its time to start a more regular giving.
That has been the motivation behind what I hope will be a new monthly series here on Alex in Wanderland: Open Passports, Open Heart. I want to highlight different inspirational charities that I encounter on my travels, donate to them, and provide a place where you can do the same if you are so moved. I thought I'd start with a project I've worked with before and feel deeply connected to — The Koh Tao Animal Clinic.
Thailand can be a rough place for animals. Many islands and rural areas don't have a single veterinarian in the community, leading to rampant over-population, disease outbreaks, and clashes between humans and animals. Koh Tao used to be one of those places — strays ran wild, poisonings were commonplace, and diseases were rampant. In 2001, two British tourists visiting the island were moved to set up a foundation, and hired Jae Supaphon Intaraksa to come to the island and act as its sole veterinarian.
Jae arrived in 2006. In the seven years that have passed, the island's animal population has become unrecognizable from what it once was. I first came to Thailand in 2009 for the purpose of volunteering at this clinic, and was immediately enamored with Jae's style of "rogue veterinarianism." Coming from a country with cat hotels, dog spas, and pet acupuncture, I was shocked to see Jae perform on-site sterilizations on beaches, benches, and the side of the road. I had little to offer other than an exuberant love for animals and another set of hands to fold gauze, but I did throw my heart into a fundraiser for the clinic.
Throughout my time at the clinic I came to realize how privileged I was to watch Jae work: she stripped away frivolities and expensive, intricate processes that drive up costs of Western veterinary care but have marginal influence on results. One day, Jae demonstrated her method of a suture-less sterilization for male animals — perfect for strays, because no follow ups are required. Why don't all vets use this method? Less follow ups mean less profit.
What was left was the basics, and just enough to stretch the clinic's limited resources across a large animal population. Sometimes, this meant using recently expired medication. Sometimes, it meant leaving a freshly sterilized stray to wake up naturally in his own habitat rather than bringing him back to the clinic for days of evaluation. Sometimes, this meant sacrificing what-looks-best for what-will-do. Jae explains her philosophy like this: If the animal is happy, she's happy.
Today, Jae has a lot of reasons to smile — the dogs on this island are an overall happy bunch. The last dog census showed there are just over 1,000 dogs on Koh Tao, and the clinic estimates around 90% of the stray animals are now fixed. What an amazing statistic! The most impressive part of that number is Jae's savant-like knowledge of every animal on the island. After being chased and bit by a dog while driving by on a motorbike, a friend of mine called the clinic to ask if they should be concerned about rabies. After giving a few identifying characteristics Jae chimed in, knowing the exact dog as well as it's owner and complete medical history. Any time I've dropped by the clinic with concern over an animal I get the same response!
With the population coming under control and poisoning becoming a less common problem, the biggest dangers facing the animals of Koh Tao are abandonment and introduction of new diseases. Expats sometimes buy puppies from Bangkok and bring them to the island, but eventually they leave Koh Tao, and more strays get left behind. While we chatted, Jae stroked a cat whose sad story she told me. His owner, an island dive instructor, had dropped him off with orders to get all his shots and paperwork in order for bringing out of the country — he was going to bring the cat back to the UK with him. But days came and the owner's flight left and he never came back for the cat, who joins a merry band of mangy mutts who greet everyone who walks into the clinic.
The clinic receives no outside funding — outside of the voluntary payments sometimes made by those bringing in their pets, the clinic is run solely on donations. The Koh Tao Animal Clinic never turns an animal away, regardless of payment.
2. Bring supplies if you are heading to the island. Solvable sutures and flea and tick medication are all extremely helpful. Contact the clinic for current needs.
3. If you are a long-term expat on Koh Tao, consider fostering one of the clinic's dogs or cats. Many suffer from mange as a result of pack living, and could improve greatly by living with a caring foster parent for a while — and they make great companions! Check the clinic's Facebook page or visit in person for available foster pets.
4. Have a veterinary background? Experienced volunteers are accepted on a limited basis. Contact the clinic for more information.
5. See an animal in need when you're on Koh Tao? Call +66 81 090 5372 to report it.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing the healthy island dogs and cats of Koh Tao. Doted on by tourists, frolicking from beach to jungle, most of them live a free and peaceful life. I find it beyond inspirational to know that a one-woman clinic and its community of supporters could make such an impact. I feel honored to have learned from her, and I am proud to continue to support the Koh Tao Animal Clinic. I hope you'll join me.
The Koh Tao Animal Clinic, a not-for-profit veterinary clinic, is run by the Noistar Thai Animal Rescue Foundation, a UK registered charity and a member of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). Visit their website at www.kohtaoanimalclinic.org, their more active Facebook page, or visit the clinic in person. Call ahead at +66 81 090 5372.
Any causes I should be looking into for future installments of Open Passport, Open Heart?
I wanted to set up a button so you could make donations directly from this page, but I am simply not technologically savvy enough. However, if you make even the smallest donation, please tell me in the comments or in a private message so that I may send you a thank you postcard from my travels!
You guys are the greatest example I know of people who are living that credo. Kudos to you! I would love to visit the clinic in Lanta someday.
Great post, Alex! It's always so inspiring to meet changemakers like Jae and everyone who has worked at and supported Koh Tao Animal Clinic.
Love seeing people take initiative like this! We're about to come up on the yearly visit from vets here on Roatan and we are rounding up as many strays as we can to get fixed.
That's awesome, Rika! I didn't know Roatan didn't have a vet. Good luck with the round up.
This is amazing and it makes me like Thailand all the more. Like you say, Asia can be a hard place for strays, and in some countries we have visited the way abandoned dogs and cats are treated has actually brought me to tears. When we were in Koh Lanta, we made sure to visit the animal shelter on the island that has a very similar initiative and we took a cooking class at the school set up by the founder of the shelter as all proceeds from it go right back to the shelter. We will be heading to Koh Tao in June when we are back in Thailand, so while we are there, we will be sure to check this place out!
I've heard such great things about the clinic on Lanta! It actually makes me want to visit that island really badly. Brilliant move on the cooking class…. love self-sustaining charities!
What a wonderful initiative! Sadly there are far too many mistreated animals in Asia, so seeing an organization doing such great work is awesome!
This post is wonderful. When I lived in Bangkok I went to Koh Chang once a month and helped out at the Animal Foundation there. It was run by a New Yorker. I loved being around the animals and knowing that she was making such a positive difference to the welfare of the animals! Thanks for bringing more attention to the devotion of the foundation and the needs of the animals! Great new series!
That's amazing, Chrystal — good for you for taking the time to do something good! I'll have to check out Koh Chang next time I'm in Thailand!
For some reason this post moved me to tears. Great story and great photos! I'm still thinkking if I should go to Koh Tao. If I do, I will visit the clinic and bring them some goodies.
Nice, Alex. Your Mom and Dad did a great job! No surprise there. Keep doing good things.
I owe them a lot — this is just one of the things I am so grateful they instilled in me!
You sure know how to get to a girl's heart, Alex! I'm so happy to read about Jae and her amazing work, and I will keep your post handy for when I have some extra cash to give. If I ever make it to Thailand, I'll be sure to stop by!
Thank you so, so much Jen. I really appreciate it — let's spread the word!
What an amazing story, those dogs are adorable.
Thanks Ayngelina, they are cuties aren't they!
Awesome new series! I'm really curious about this suture-less sterilization procedure, but maybe I don't want to know!
This is such a wonderful idea, Alex. I donate to various organizations sporadically and also sponsor a student in Guatemala but it's one of my goals to give more generously and make giving a priority.
This clinic sounds like a wonderful place and I certainly support their mission. Amazing how much cheaper they can do these things when all of the American vets charge so much.
I know, right? Makes you wonder how much of that is simply the cost of living in the States vs. Thailand and how much is frivolous methods and medicines.
What a wonderful project! I often am tempted to scoop up male dogs on the streets here in Chile and pay for them to be sterilized, so it would be great to have a vet like Jae who could do a quick procedure. It looks like it would be hard to leave Koh Tao without some of these cute faces sneaking into my suitcase!
I would think there must be an organization in Santiago doing something similar, right? Maybe not, sometimes I'm surprised by the lack of veterinary care around the world.
Hey Ruth, thanks! There actually are rarely dogs in the clinic — it is truly a clinic and not a shelter. They actually try to keep street dogs healthy and happy on the street rather than put them in a cage in hopes that they might be adopted! There are sometimes cats there looking for homes — I'd drop by to make your donation in person (they have cute t-shirts for sale!) and ask if there is anything you can do 🙂 Thank you so much for your interest in helping — I can't wait to check out the Lanta Animal Shelter someday!


text:
4-(2-methylphenyl)-6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide
We are 4-(2-methylphenyl)-6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide CAS:342417-01-0 manufacturer and supplier in China, Pls send inquiry of to info@nbinno.com of visit www.nbinno.com our official website should you have any interests
Chemical Name:4-(2-methylphenyl)-6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide
CAS.NO:342417-01-0
Synonyms:4-(2-methylphenyl)-6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide
4-(2-Methylphenyl)-6-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)nicotinamide
Density 1.2±0.1 g/cm3
Boiling Point 498.1±45.0 °C at 760 mmHg
Molecular Formula C18H22N4O
Molecular Weight 310.393
Flash Point 255.0±28.7 °C
Appearance:White powder
Assay:≥98.0%
Single imputity:≤0.2%
Packing:25 kg/drum, can also be packaged according to customer requirements
Storage:Store in a cool, ventilated place
Application:Intermediate of Netupitant(CAS:290297-26-6).
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl