Families with pets driven
out of their homes in Bangkok now have a place to stay in Rayong.
Theerarak
Suthathiwong
A Huay Yai homeowner has opened the gates of her
large home to victims of Bangkok’s flood crisis.
Jongkolnee Jankhet, 47, fled to her Huay Yai
residence after her primary house in Bangkok’s Rangsit neighborhood was
flooded in mid-October. Realizing government and charity shelters will
not take evacuees with pets, she decided throw open the gates of her
3-rai estate to animal lovers in need.
Eight families - 25 people and 120 pets - responded
to her ad on a Thai Internet message board. They’re now staying on the
first floor of two houses and in an outside sala. Jongkolnee said she is
offering them refuge for free.
One of those taking refuge is 67-year-old Wirat
Taengngam, his wife and 12 dogs. Water in their Rangsit home was chest
deep and he’d planned to rent an apartment in Pattaya, but couldn’t find
any that accepted pets. He thanked Jongkolnee for generosity that helped
him keep his “family” together.
Jongkolnee said she has another 4-rai orchard not far
from the house and is offering that property to flood victims with pets
as well. Forty-three animals are now roaming the property. Khemlek Co.
donated a fence for the land to keep the dogs in. Two other
animal-rescue groups also plan to use the orchard to house pets dropped
off with them by flood victims.
Those willing to donate dog food can contact
089-025-4508. Jongkolnee said she does want flood victims to retrieve
their pets once the crisis has passed, but pledged that if animals are
abandoned, she’ll try to find permanent homes for them.
