Having ensured that all the elephants she knows of are save, Khun 'Lek' at Save Elephant Foundation is now rescuing hundreds of dogs, cats - and some monkeys - from the floods.

She runs a shuttle service of volunteers and animal food from her Chiang Mai base, but is in very urgent need of vets or student vets to help. On site she has large trucks as mobile HQs, high enough to cope with the water. She also appeals for small open boats to borrow or buy.

This is an ideal 'volunteering' opportunity for younger fathers and teenagers. Foreigners should have their passports with them (in watertight bags?!) and no-one is going to ask for work permits.

If anyone can help in any way, they should call the SEF/Elephant Nature Park office, Chiang Mai, in Thai or English, on 086 920 1723 or 086 618 8170.

In this emergency, Mods, I do hope this appeal is within your rules.

we have spread the info via social media too

/Admin