TEMPLE
Temple Tragagies and Broken Spirits
The Fight to Save the Temple Dogs
At our rescue, we often say that temples should be the ultimate sanctuary—places of peace, compassion, and protection for all living beings. However, recently, a heartbreaking situation has unfolded at our local cave temple that has challenged everything we know about the safety of "temple dogs."
A Tradition of Compassion Overturned
For 17 years, the previous Abbot cared for the dogs of this temple with a father’s heart. But three months ago, everything changed. A new leadership committee, intent on turning the historic cave temple into a high-traffic tourist spot, evicted the Abbot and his dogs.
The transition has been brutal. Two elderly, devoted monks—one over 70 and struggling with diabetes—were ostracized and bullied for their refusal to abandon the animals they rescued. They were forced to live in isolation on a steep hill, unable to join prayers or even collect daily alms for food.
From Sanctuary to Danger Zone
As the "Daddy monk" was forced out, the 40 dogs they left behind fell into a nightmare. The atmosphere at the temple shifted from one of care to one of hostility:
The Rise of Bullying:
The new leadership brought in a pack of aggressive dogs that constantly attack the resident rescues, leaving many too terrified to even approach the food bowls.
Heartbreak and Illness: We’ve seen firsthand how "sadness sickness" is real. Dogs like Maum and Apple became lethargic and stopped eating from the sheer grief of losing their human protectors. This stress crashed their immune systems, allowing dormant blood parasites (E-Canis and Anaplasmosis) to take hold.
The Ultimate Cruelty:
The most devastating blow came in late December. Despite the temple's sacred status, 12 dogs have been poisoned in a short period. Among them was Cow, a gentle soul we were desperately trying to catch to bring to safety. Seeing these dogs die in agony from strychnine has shattered our hearts.
A New Chapter at Our Healing Centre
While we cannot take in all 40 dogs, we have transformed our Healing Centre into a refuge for the most vulnerable. We have successfully pulled 10 of the most terrified souls out of the line of fire:
Ploy, who spent three weeks sitting on a small chair, too terrified of the bully dogs to touch the ground.
Fairy, who was found hiding in a tiny gap between concrete water tanks, her eyes and skin raw from stress-induced infections.
Mickey, who was saved just in time from a life-threatening infection and septicemia.
Oun, Samlee, and others who are now finally wagging their tails again, safe from the threat of poison and violence.
The Road Ahead: How You Can Help
Our original plan to move the remaining 30 dogs to a different temple was tragically halted when we discovered that location was also plagued by poisoning incidents. For now, the "strong" survivors remain at the original temple under our watchful eye. We visit weekly to provide medical treatments, Bravecto, and supplemental food.
We are stretched to our absolute limit. Supporting the monk and providing intensive medical care and food for 40 dogs is a massive financial undertaking.
Can you show the compassion these dogs are currently lacking?
$5.25 (190 Baht) buys a 15kg bag of rice.
$300 (10,000 Baht) helps us maintain transport for the monks to collect alms and supplies.
Any amount helps cover the specialised vet care for blood parasites and infected wounds.
These dogs have lost their "Daddies" and their homes. We are the only thing standing between them and further tragedy.
The Fight to Save the Temple Dogs
At our rescue, we often say that temples should be the ultimate sanctuary—places of peace, compassion, and protection for all living beings. However, recently, a heartbreaking situation has unfolded at our local cave temple that has challenged everything we know about the safety of "temple dogs."
A Tradition of Compassion Overturned
For 17 years, the previous Abbot cared for the dogs of this temple with a father’s heart. But three months ago, everything changed. A new leadership committee, intent on turning the historic cave temple into a high-traffic tourist spot, evicted the Abbot and his dogs.
The transition has been brutal. Two elderly, devoted monks—one over 70 and struggling with diabetes—were ostracized and bullied for their refusal to abandon the animals they rescued. They were forced to live in isolation on a steep hill, unable to join prayers or even collect daily alms for food.
From Sanctuary to Danger Zone
As the "Daddy monk" was forced out, the 40 dogs they left behind fell into a nightmare. The atmosphere at the temple shifted from one of care to one of hostility:
The Rise of Bullying:
The new leadership brought in a pack of aggressive dogs that constantly attack the resident rescues, leaving many too terrified to even approach the food bowls.
Heartbreak and Illness: We’ve seen firsthand how "sadness sickness" is real. Dogs like Maum and Apple became lethargic and stopped eating from the sheer grief of losing their human protectors. This stress crashed their immune systems, allowing dormant blood parasites (E-Canis and Anaplasmosis) to take hold.
The Ultimate Cruelty:
The most devastating blow came in late December. Despite the temple's sacred status, 12 dogs have been poisoned in a short period. Among them was Cow, a gentle soul we were desperately trying to catch to bring to safety. Seeing these dogs die in agony from strychnine has shattered our hearts.
A New Chapter at Our Healing Centre
While we cannot take in all 40 dogs, we have transformed our Healing Centre into a refuge for the most vulnerable. We have successfully pulled 10 of the most terrified souls out of the line of fire:
Ploy, who spent three weeks sitting on a small chair, too terrified of the bully dogs to touch the ground.
Fairy, who was found hiding in a tiny gap between concrete water tanks, her eyes and skin raw from stress-induced infections.
Mickey, who was saved just in time from a life-threatening infection and septicemia.
Oun, Samlee, and others who are now finally wagging their tails again, safe from the threat of poison and violence.
The Road Ahead: How You Can Help
Our original plan to move the remaining 30 dogs to a different temple was tragically halted when we discovered that location was also plagued by poisoning incidents. For now, the "strong" survivors remain at the original temple under our watchful eye. We visit weekly to provide medical treatments, Bravecto, and supplemental food.
We are stretched to our absolute limit. Supporting the monk and providing intensive medical care and food for 40 dogs is a massive financial undertaking.
Can you show the compassion these dogs are currently lacking?
$5.25 (190 Baht) buys a 15kg bag of rice.
$300 (10,000 Baht) helps us maintain transport for the monks to collect alms and supplies.
Any amount helps cover the specialised vet care for blood parasites and infected wounds.
These dogs have lost their "Daddies" and their homes. We are the only thing standing between them and further tragedy.