Weekend get-togethers Nongkaem at our animal shelter

[pryortuck]

I have lived in Thailand for 5 years with my Thai wife of 13 year and endured the floods of 2011 that inundated our home and caused massive hardship for many people including animals that live in our area. Many animals were left to fend on their own in the factory area where we live.

While the waters were at their highest levels my wife cared for the animals left behind.This meant rowing a boat every day to the rooftops of the homes and factories in the area offering food and water to the animals in need. When the water subsided we continued the feeding and took many of them in to our care for a multitude of heath issues these animals (mostly cats) that required vet assistance. To this day we continue to care have lived in Thailand for 5 years with my Thai wife of 13 years. During the flood s of 2011 our home in Nongkhaem was inundated by the floods that affected many of us. During this time my wife and I began offering help to the numerous abandoned for approx 30 cats that we have living on our property in the house and in pens that we built to keep them safe. We feed an additional 20+ cats that still require our support

Anyone that is an animal lover and who has experienced the care that abandoned animal receive here is naturally appalled at the disregard that most Thai people have toward them. We began a spaying and neutering program for these animals in an effort to improve the situation. The cost of caring for so many of them has put a severe burden on us and at times we really didn't know where the money would come from. My wife has sacrificed many important needs due to the care for these animals.

Somehow, I would like to find a way to find quality homes for many of the cats who would benefit from the love and affection of having a home and would be able to receive much more affection than we are physically able to provide, considering the number of animals we care for.

My idea is to offer a weekend cook-out for people who would like to meet other westerners in the Nongkhaem area. This way we could introduce what we are doing and hopefully find some quality homes for the cats, at the same time enjoy each other’s company over good food and drink (no charge).

The cost of offering a good barbecue and make some new friends is far less expensive than our current expense. Considering that I have been here for 5 years and have met maybe two other people from the US and UK (at the gym) thought perhaps the idea might fly but I would gratefully look forward to your opinions and guidance.

About ourselves: My wife is a graduate of S.E. Asia University and works with me in E-commerce from an office on Soi 112 in Nongkhaem. I am a 59 year old army vet from New York and worked in the broadcasting industry for most of my life. We have a home with property suited for weekend get together if the idea seems to make sense.

The cats: The unconditional love that they offer has been a wonderful stress reliever for me and I find each one is exceptional in many ways. All have been neutered or spayed and have all of their vaccinations are in excellent health and used to the English language. All are young between 5 months and two years. It’s almost an even mix of Males and females. Some do amazing tricks and can keep you entertained for hours.

My intent would be not to make anyone feel obligated in any way to leave with a cat but rather to just have a good time enjoying a cook-out, good music and a social opportunity and if one is truly interested in one of the cats they can let us know. The available cats would be wandering around the property… probably stalking geckos.

Will this fly?

Thanks,

Tom and Pat Pryor

[CharlieH]

May be better in the Pet forum.

Personally I dont like cats, but admire anyone who takes time to care for unwanted animals etc.

Best of luck.