Challenges
Working in Cambodia offers a unique set of challenges. From our work in our House of Strays sanctuary and in the community; diseases, poverty, disability and the dog meat industry affect our work daily.
Community Work
Outside of our House of Strays sanctuary, we work with many complex community cases, providing medicine, food, education, surgery or rescue. This case was a free-roaming pet called Eeyore, we helped remove his tumour, de-tick, de-flea, sterilise, rehabilitate and bring him to full health.
TVT Cancer
Transmissible Venereal Tumor is a sexually transmitted cancer affecting stray dogs across Cambodia. Thankfully it is treatable with Chemotherapy – and after a lot of work, Wally’s sight, mouth and life was saved and now lives with his friends at House of Strays.
The Dog Meat Trade
Many of our rescues have been saved from the Cambodian dog meat trade. Because of the high stray population, crowded transportation and unsanitary slaughterhouse conditions, zoonotic diseases like rabies affect the lives of animals and humans alike. Please sign our petition to end the dog meat trade today.
Hope
We often find dogs emaciated, with skin conditions, emotional trauma and physical injuries. Many conditions are much more common in Cambodia and with street dogs. Hope lives at our sanctuary happily and healthily and is a reminder that we can make a difference to their lives.
Paralysed animals
Due to the high volume of traffic and strays, many animals across Cambodia experience paralysis. Our rescue specialises in providing life saving surgery, sanctuary and rehabilitation through physio and hydrotherapy.
Find out more about their recovery here.
Poverty
Cambodians face huge hurdles due to poverty, which affects the animals in many ways.
On our weekly outreach missions we provide cat and dog food, medicine and education to those who with no access to it, but we also work specifically for people with our sister charity People of Our World. Find out more about the work they do in Cambodia here.
FIV/FIP
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus – often called “cat AIDS” – weakens a cat’s immune system over time, making them prone to secondary infections like gum disease and respiratory issues. Feline Infectious Peritonitis, caused by a mutated coronavirus, leads to fatal fluid buildup or organ damage in cats. Both diseases demonstrate the need for neutering, testing and specialised care both inside and out of HOS.