http://tv.orf.at/groups/magazin/pool/entenfellner/story

Gemeinsam mit den thailändischen Tierärzten des Livestock Development Office, Hilfsmaterial der Sponsoren und freiwilliger Helfer der Insel konnten wir auf Koh Lipe bisher folgende Ziele erreichen:

1. Kontrolle der Hunde – Katzenpopulation durch Kastration
(ca. 400 Tiere wurden von uns bisher kastriert)
2. Impfung der Hunde und Katzen gegen Tollwut
3. Kennzeichnung der kastrierten Tiere mittels Ohrtätowierung und Kryomarkierung
4. Antiparasitenbehandlung (Endo- und Ektoparasiten)
5. Fütterung der Tiere (Ziel: auch während der Nebensaison die streunenden Tiere zu versorgen)
6. Aufklärungsarbeit an der Schule der Insel

This time, all animals that had been too young to operate on or had not been eligible for operations for other reasons, will be taken care of- cats and dogs totalling a number of 200, about the same number as during our last visit in June. This way, we will try to accomplish completing the castration rate which will mean that future visits will mainly concentrate on animal health.

Much has been and will be accomplished this year.

However, we need your support to make the island yet more enjoyable for locals, tourists, and animals alike. Foodstuffs, veterinary supplies of all kinds, transportation, media releases…all these things require funding.

All your support is welcome and will be wisely used.

Text: Georg Rotomer
Photography: Peter Paltinger

watch the german version here!

Click to view slideshow.

“The Koh Lipe Stray Dogs Gallery” 2011 is open now!

Original Tuschzeichnung auf säurefreiem Büttenpapier (40×60 cm)

BIOGRAPHIE: Christoph Buchegger

PUBLIC VIEW t.b.a.

Thanks to Tamas Serfozo (Castaway Resort Koh Lipe), who enabled and eased communications with our Thai colleagues, we had a very successful and rewarding experience as we treated and operated the stray animals and inhabitants’ pets.

The Austrian Vet Team started by counting the animals, treating them with antiparasitics, marking the neutered ones and feeding them.

The Thai Vet team from the Livestock Developement Office Satun, guided by Dr Montree Sangskul and Dr. Wittaya Khacheeram, arrived on the site on June 6. We met in the evening to share news with our colleagues.

Click to view slideshow.

The next day, we began operating. The dog catchers did a marvellous job, as did all the assistants and surgeons. We neutered almost 200 animals, cats and mostly dogs, another 100 dogs (that had been neutered during our previous stay) were vaccinated against rabies. Each animal operated was treated with antiparasitics, especially against fleas and worms.

As we discussed measures for improvement of our activities, we agreed on developing and implementing a low season feeding plan for the stray animals, assured the inhabitants the sustainability of our engagement and went to the local school, explaining our objectives and goals.

Aftercare treatment was conducted by the Austrian Vet team after the Thai Vet team had left on June 10, after doing outstandingly in all the operations.

It was once again a very interesting and rewarding stay. The cooperation has constantly been excellent and friendships have begun evolving.

There couldn’t be any better summary for our stay than Dr Wittaya Khacheeram’s motto, “work hard, do it with heart and enjoy!”

Text: Udvardi/Rotomer

Outlook for June 2011

Since last year’s experience was so rewarding for both the Austrian and the Thai vet team, we are glad to announce that our cooperation will continue this summer, even longer this time, from June 3rd through June 13th. I am very pleased that Henry Schein Medical have assured us of their support again, thus we will be able to access and use their materials in conducting our operations. On this occasion, we are proud to announce that VetMedUni Vienna(University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna) will be a sponsoring partner this year by sending a top level surgeon, MVM Christoph Leichtfried.

Our Thai friends, led by DVM Wittaya Khacheeram, will be on location with about ten field-service experienced veterinarians and professional personnel, such as dog-catchers. After our three operating days, we will once again find time to take care of the stray animals, with regards to treating them with anti-parasitics and the like.

For that purpose, we encourage sponsors willing to make a contribution by donating food supplies and medicaments.

All of us are very much looking forward to working together with our friends for a sustainable and enduring development of the local animal population. The animals’ improved health condition shall serve both inhabitants and tourists by means of living with healthier animals of a controlled population on their wonderful island.

Translation: Georg Rotomer

Image by Peter Paltinger

Images by Peter Paltinger