News From The Field In India and Thailand​

September 2025

A Message From Our Team

Dear Friends and Supporters This month has been full of incredible stories, hard work, and heartwarming outcomes. We’re excited to share updates on the projects we’re running, the lives we’ve impacted, and the milestones we’ve achieved. Thank you for being part of this journey to make the world a better place for animals!

Animal People Alliance
Treatment Tracker

Treatments Performed This Month: 853
Treatments Performed Year to Date: 7,592

Kolkata, India

September was another busy month for our Kolkata team, who provided 787 treatments to animals in need across the city. Most of the cases were the everyday challenges we regularly encounter—dogfight wounds, skin diseases, vehicle injuries, and other common street-animal issues—but each one received the care and attention they deserved.

We were glad to have co-founder Paul Harvey join the team in the field to see their work firsthand. A highlight of his visit was seeing Doni, one of our first staff members, now taking on a supervisory role. Over her eight years with APA, Doni has grown tremendously and now confidently leads treatments and manages shifts—a milestone we’re very proud to celebrate.

Finally, we want to wish everyone in Calcutta and across West Bengal a joyful Durga Puja season. This time of celebration and renewal reminds us how deeply connected we are as a community—people and animals alike—and we’re grateful for the continued support that allows us to serve those who need us most.

Chiang Rai, Thailand

Last month we shared how our Chiang Rai team was called to a local garbage-burning facility to check on more than 50 dogs living there in extremely harsh conditions. Many were under-weight, suffering from skin disease, and some bore wounds from fighting.

Over the past few weeks, our team has been hard at work: treating all the dogs that needed medical care, vaccinating the entire group, and sterilizing every animal that could safely undergo surgery. In September we held our 7th sterilization event of the year, performing 57 spay/neuter surgeries, including many of the dogs from the garbage-site pack.

While our shelter is at full capacity and we cannot bring these dogs in just yet, our staff will keep returning to the site to monitor their progress, provide ongoing treatment, and ensure they remain as healthy and safe as possible until better solutions—and hopefully new homes—are found.

We also want to recognize the remarkable generosity of the Chiang Rai community this month. Local supporters donated everything from sturdy cabinets for storing medicine and supplies to much-needed medical items, new grooming equipment, bags of food, kitty litter, and more.

We simply could not do this work without such kindness and collaboration.

A Milestone Year for Chiang Rai: 400 Animals Sterilized 

This year has been a breakthrough for our Chiang Rai sterilization campaign. So far in 2025, we’ve held seven community sterilization events and successfully spayed or neutered 400 dogs and cats. 

That number isn’t just impressive on its own—it has a massive ripple effect. A single unsterilized female dog and her offspring can produce dozens of puppies within just two years, and the number can climb into the hundreds over a 3–5-year period. By intervening early, these sterilizations will prevent thousands of future births, sparing countless animals from suffering on the streets and easing the strain on the community and local shelters.

Every animal sterilized at our events is also fully vaccinated—most importantly against rabies. Rabies remains a public-health concern in Thailand, and vaccination campaigns like ours are critical for protecting both animals and the people who live alongside them.

2026 Thailand Volunteer &
Immersion Trip

January 31 – February 14

2026 Thailand Volunteer & Immersion Trip
January 31 – February 14

Discover: Bangkok & Chiang Rai 

Join us for two unforgettable weeks combining hands-on animal rescue work, cultural immersion, and breathtaking landscapes.

We’ll begin our journey in Bangkok, spending four unforgettable nights in Southeast Asia’s most vibrant city. You’ll take in all the iconic sights, enjoy time to explore at your own pace, and savor some of the most incredible meals you’ve ever tasted.

Next up is Chiang Rai, where you’ll spend six days volunteering at the Animal People Alliance funded shelter—feeding, bathing, and caring for rescued dogs and cats. You’ll also visit tribal villages and engage with community-led animal welfare efforts while exploring the traditions of northern Thailand’s indigenous people. 

We also have a series of unforgettable day trips planned to showcase the best of Northern Thailand’s culture and landscapes. You’ll journey to the legendary Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet, and explore the region’s fascinating history and breathtaking river views. We’ll visit the serene mountain gardens and royal villa at Doi Tung, surrounded by lush hills and cool breezes. Along the way, you’ll discover charming local villages, sample authentic northern cuisine, and enjoy a few hidden gems that most visitors never get to see—making every excursion both scenic and enriching.

This trip is a unique blend of meaningful service, cultural connection, and immersive travel—an opportunity to make a difference while discovering the soul of Thailand.

Spaces are limited—come make memories (and impact) that last a lifetime!

Apply Now

Your Gift Does
Twice the Good

Every donation helps treat an animal in need and provides training and employment for someone ready to make a difference. With your help, we can turn a rescue into an opportunity.

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