Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol Performs Royal Duties with the Chulabhorn Veterinary Volunteer Unit to Control the Population of Homeless Animals and Campaign to Sustainably Eradicate Rabies at Royal Thai Fleet Officers’ Club, Sattahip District, Chon Buri Province
With Her unwavering benevolence, Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol has always shown great concern for the quality of life and well-being of the Thai people, especially in efficiently promoting good health and preventing of diseases. Her Royal Highness’s compassion also extends to sick stray and homeless animals, ensuring that they receive necessary healthcare across the board. At the same time, Her Royal Highness recognizes the need to control the stray animal population, without impacting the safety of communities, and in order to prevent the spread of rabies, a life-threatening zoonotic disease.
To achieve these goals, Her Royal Highness performed Royal Duties with the Chulabhorn Veterinary Volunteer Unit, under HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s project on “Disease-free Animals, Safe Humans from Rabies”, at the Royal Thai Fleet Officers’ Club, Sattahip District, Chon Buri Province, from July 8-13, 2023. The Royal Thai Naval Air Division and the Chon Buri Provincial Office humbly requested Her Royal Highness’s assistance to control the stray dog population at the U-Tapao International Airport, Chon Buri Province, and in adjacent communities. They faced challenges due to stray dogs living around its airside, which impacted the airstrip and posed dangers to aircraft take-offs and landings.
Concerned with the existing problem, Her Royal Highness directed the Chulabhorn Veterinary Volunteer Unit from Kasetsart University, Royal Thai Fleet, Royal Thai Navy, Chon Buri Provincial Livestock Office, and Veterinary Research and Development Center (Eastern Region) to join forces to address the issue of stray dogs in Chon Buri Province effectively. The stray and homeless dogs initially treated by veterinarians from the Chulabhorn Veterinary Volunteer Unit were transferred to the Nakhon Chai Burin shelter for homeless dogs in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, for further care.
At the same time, eradicating rabies in local areas requires constant surveillance; therefore, prevention against the disease through vaccination is crucial. Her Royal Highness graciously granted an audience to Mr. Chawana Thongyen, Chief, Chon Buri Provincial Livestock Office, and presented 1,000 doses of rabies vaccines to him for further immunization of local dogs and cats to build broad and effective immunity.
During this mission, Her Royal Highness also administered rabies vaccinations and distributed dog tags under HRH Princess Chulabhorn’s project on “Disease-free Animals, Safe Humans from Rabies”. Later, Her Royal Highness performed veterinary anesthesia work, collaborating with veterinarians from the Chulabhorn Veterinary Volunteer Unit to perform sterilization procedures and treat diseases found in dogs such as uterine infections and skin conditions. These treatments were conducted on a mobile surgical unit, equipped with high safety standards, to ensure effective treatment and in accordance with proper veterinary medicine principles, supporting efforts to establish rabies-free areas in Chon Buri Province sustainably.
Moreover, a training session was held to raise awareness of the severe dangers of rabies and the prevention as regards the importance of public participation in responsible pet ownership and control of the disease, fulfilling the commitment of Her Royal Highness to promoting responsible and proper pet care among the Thai people.
Chon Buri Province has advanced Her Royal Highness’s mission by vaccinating against rabies and sterilizing both pets and homeless animals. In 2023, the Chon Buri Provincial Livestock Office aimed to provide healthcare to 10,000 animals, covering 11 Districts and 98 local administrative organizations. To date, 7,900 animals have been vaccinated against rabies and sterilized in the target areas. During the mission of the Chulabhorn Veterinary Volunteer Unit from July 8-13, 2023, 541 people-owned and homeless dogs and cats were vaccinated against rabies, and 773 were sterilized.
Public Relations,
Office of the President
July 14, 2023
Related Posts
Recent Posts
