The Giving Trust

PAC - The Story

PAC was started in September 2001 by Dr Shevaun Gallwey - an Irish veterinarian who lives in Hong Kong for 8 months of the year and continues to keep the clinic staffed, equipped, financed and up to date with the latest clinical techniques.

Why

While visiting the island for a 3 month stay, Shevaun provided free care for the native island animals around her. When leaving, the locals petitioned her to provide more permanent help. As there was no local veterinarian available, and many of the animals did not have owners to bring them to Koh Samui, Shevaun agreed to open a non-profit clinic to provide basic care for the common problems seen in the island’s animals - especially those without owners.

What

PAC’s goals have been: (with achievements over last 5 years)
- eradication of transmissible venereal tumours (almost eradicated: first year, treated 132; last year, treated 1)
- development of a Rabies vaccination programme (more than 2500 vaccines given; 2 suspect cases checked by Suratthani government and pronounced clear)
- population control so that yearly poisoning could be stopped (1850 neutered, of which 52% female dogs and no poisoning since Christmas 2003)
- treatment of wounds and skin problems, injuries and illnesses (10,000 animals examined, 1000 hospitalised for longterm care and 900 wounds fixed)
- disease control - imported puppies from the mainland bring killer viruses such as parvo virus and distemper virus (vaccinated almost 1500 dogs to help prevent the spread of these diseases)
- to teach about animal welfare (since November 2004, PAC has taught animal care and respect to students at PhaNgan Suksa school)

Who

Nurses - PAC is run by two veterinary nurses. Initially, these two positions were filled by overseas-qualified nurses who would stay for a minimum of 3 months. In May 2003, Por took one of the nursing positions, and after intensive training sessions with Shevaun, moved to the position of Head Nurse in September 2004. The second nursing position is still filled with a rotation of overseas qualified nurses. Nurses are found through advertisement and detailed clinic and treatment protocols are provided.

Administrator - due to the frequent staff rotation, it became necessary to have an administrator to maintain the running of the clinic and deal with maintenance, volunteers and correspondance. Since January 2003, PAC has had 4 administrators, each devoting approximately one year to PAC. If PAC is to become a permanent part of Koh PhaNgan, it is essential to find a reliable, permanent Administrator to maintain the clinic locally.

Volunteers - from January 2004 the clinic as been kept clean, and nurses assisted, by unqualified overseas volunteers who care for the hospital patients.

How

The common problems such as wounds, skin problems and vaccination are tended by PAC’s veterinary nurses. Sick animals or severely injured animals are best treated by qualified doctors - several available on Koh Samui and Suratthani. PAC’s nurses are ONLY capable of providing symptomatic treatment and emergency care - they cannot make a diagnosis, surgically enter a body cavity, or provide continuing care for chronic diseases (such as diabetes and epilepsy).

The clinic running costs are covered through local donations in return for treatment. Exact costs (to the clinic) of procedures performed are quoted to owners after treatment is given, with a request to donate as much of the cost as possible to the clinic. Owners of pedigree animals are expected to pay at least the full cost. Street and temple animals are treated free of charge, and the donations received above cost price, pay for these treatments. PAC does receive some donated expired drugs or used equipment.

Pedigree Animals

Since opening PAC, there has been a huge influx of pedigree animals to the island - these breeds are poorly equipped for Koh PhaNgan life due to weak characteristics, which have several detrimental effects:
- high maintenance required with regard to haircoat and parasite control
- a social inability to live free, requiring secure yard confinement and intensive training
- thoughtless, often selfish, resistance of Owners to neutering, resulting in severe birthing difficulties and detrimental dilution of the strong native-breed genes. All imported breed animals should be neutered, and breeding only considered for a maximum of two litters from 2 completely unrelated animals, both declared free from congenital defects.

As the pedigree population on the island grows, PAC now spends valuable time treating specifically pedigree-breed related problems. PAC is not intended for this purpose, nor are PAC’s nurses equipped for this level of care. Owners of pedigree animals are advised to register with, and regularly use, private, Thai veterinarians on Koh Samui and Suratthani. PAC is petitioning for a private Thai veterinarian on Koh PhaNgan.

Future

PAC hopes to be successful in persuading a Thai veterinarian to develop a practice on Koh PhaNgan. Should this happen, all privately owned animals should be treated by the private veterinarian, allowing PAC to improve their care for temple and street dogs, and to further develop their teaching programmes.

More information about PAC can be found by visiting their website.