Who’s to blame for hordes of newly homeless pets, the pandemic or the people?



Wherever fault lies, more than 1,000 of them are overwhelming an animal foundation in Chiang Mai province, which is pleading for help feeding and homing them.

The reputable Save Elephant Foundation there is seeking help and support after it found itself fostering more than 1,000 abandoned house pets at its Mae Taeng district facility. Mostly dogs and cats, the animals were ditched in response to misplaced fears by some that they carried the coronavirus, while some deplorable animal cafe owners just dumped them after the had to close.



Several hundred animals – some sick and disabled – were also abandoned by owners who were affected financially by the crisis. But probably the worst, and a reminder to avoid even the best of them, are the owners of pet cafes who shut down and discarded all those cuddly, helpless animals.



“Some cat cafes dumped them and some owners said they cannot afford to feed them because they no longer have income,” said Saengduan Chailert, foundation president. “We had to tell them it’s really tough for us over here too since we have expenses taking care of them.”

Those who wish to help donate via Kasikorn Bank account: 407-2-33888-5 or contact the Save Elephant Foundation about adoption.

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