From Thailand with love: Dogs search for forever homes
UPPER PROVIDENCE >> They traveled more than 9,000 miles before arriving in Delaware County. The five dogs sniffed around their new surroundings earlier this week, a little weary after their long journey from Thailand, but looking happy with wagging tails as staff at the Providence Animal Center petted and fussed over the new arrivals.
The five dogs, estimated to be between 1 and 3 years old, are now up for adoption at the Providence Animal Shelter, ready to find forever homes. According to Justina Calgiano, director of public relations and special events at the center, the playful pups were “street dogs” back in their mother country.
“They were all street dogs and they were at risk of being killed, very horrible deaths, whether it’s being intentionally run over, poisoned or picked up by illegal meat traders,” said Calgiano.
According to the director, “soi” (stray) dogs of Thailand live very tragic lives, often starved, suffering from tick and flea infestations and other skin conditions, often fall prey to being purposely injured, poisoned, run over and killed, or rounded up by dog meat traders, to be brutally transported to Vietnam or China to be tortured, and killed. Every dog rescued from Thailand is indeed a life saved, she said.
The five female dogs, now safely in Delco, include sisters Wendy and Wilma, as well as Joy, Marie and Sandy. The dogs currently weigh a healthy 30-35 pounds and appear unharmed with the exception of a few cuts and scratches, Calgiano said.
The dogs arrived Saturday evening at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after an 18-hour flight. They were then transported by van Sunday morning to the center at 555 Sandy Bank Road by Ron Riggle, a Humane Society police officer, and his wife Carolyn, a kennel manager at Providence Animal Center.
Calgiano explained that their journey began when a New Yorker named Raquel recently visited Thailand and was overcome with sadness after witnessing the sad life of the street dogs which overrun the streets and number in the hundreds of thousands. She spent $5,000 of her own money to pay for a dozen dogs and one cat to be flown here and receive their necessary vaccinations and vetting, in hope of finding them suitable homes. The Providence Animal Center is just one of several nokill shelters that received some of the dogs.
The five canines that came to the county have been spayed and have passed their medical exams, with only one treated for a hernia. They were being evaluated behaviorally. After a short adjustment period, they will be able to leave with their new owners by the end of this week or the beginning of next. The female dogs, of mixed breeds, are various colors, light and dark brown, some white, some spotted.
“These dogs luckily made it into shelters as puppies,” Riggle explained. “But that is the only life that they have ever known, shelter life. It will be wonderful to find them real homes.”
Riggle said the center staff is still unsure if the dogs can understand English but so far, the dogs seem to be responding to the universal language of love, knowing they are in caring hands and safe at the shelter.
“We have started taking applications for adoption,” Calgiano said. “We invite people to stop by and visit with the dogs to see if they are a right fit. If not, we have plenty of other cats and dogs waiting for new homes. Wendy, Wilma, Sandy, Joy and Marie should be all set to go to their new homes by the end of the week.”
Without the help of Providence Animal Center and other TriState area animal rescue groups, Calgiano explained, the dogs would have had no other opportunities to be adopted.
“Providence Animal Center hopes to be able to save more dogs from Thailand in the future,” Calgiano shared. “Other international rescues include receiving pets from Puerto Rico. So far this year, Providence Animal Center has been involved in a dozen Puerto Rican rescues. Weekly, we rescue from local shelters in need such as ACCT Philly and Camden County Animal Shelter. We’re also a resource for owner surrenders and pets who suffer from cruelty within Chester and Delaware County.”
Upcoming fundraisers include “Rescued on the Runway” 7-10 p.m., Saturday, April 22, at the Garrett Williamson Foundation, 395 Bishop Hollow Road, Newtown Square. Ticket includes food, cocktails, a fashion show hosted by 6ABC’s Cecily Tynan featuring human looks by the Philadelphia Premium Outlets and adopted and a silent auction. The “Rescued on the Runway Luncheon” will take place at Kings Mills, 6000 Pennell Road, Aston, 12:30-3:30 p.m., Sunday, April 23. The afternoon of fashion and food is designed to raise awareness and funds to save and care for homeless and neglected pets. Luncheon tickets include a three-course meal, a fashion show hosted by Fox29’s Sue Serio featuring human looks by Boscov’s, appearances by adopted and adoptable pets, a silent auction and more. To purchase tickets, visit www.ProvidenceAC.org.
Providence Animal Center is open 12-7 p.m., Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday; and 12-5 p.m., Sunday. For more information, call 610 566-1370 or e-mail info@providenceac. org.