Adopting a Pet Dog or Cat in Cambodia

Expatriate Families Come and Go in Asia, Leaving Pets for Adoption

Feb 27, 2009 Bronwyn Sloan

Cambodia's large contractor and foreign aid population is a transient one, meaning their dogs and cats often find themselves left behind and in need of adoptive families

Despite the best intentions of people from overseas who come to live and work in Cambodia, contracts end, new overseas postings come up and, in a turbulent world economy, sometimes even the most adored pets must be left behind.

This creates heartbreak for former owners, but the opportunity for new expatriate arrivals to find and adopt a "pre-loved" pet dog or cat easily can make a world of difference.

In the case of cats, many human families fresh to the Southeast Asian kingdom find clever moggies promptly adopt them on arrival rather than the other way around, realizing that a nice home with plentiful food and water is up for grabs.

And so whether they intended to or not, despite their best intentions, when it's time to move on from Cambodia, these reluctant adoptive parents find themselves loving and feeling responsible for another living creature and try their best to seek out new owners for them.

As for dogs, which every owner knows should, even more than most other pets, be a lifelong commitment, sometimes sudden overseas work demands or strict quarantine laws in their home country prevent even the most devoted owner from taking his beloved best friend with him no matter how wrenching it is.

Families arriving in Cambodia looking to find a pet have several ethical options to find one - especially a "pre-loved" pet. They can check out expatriate websites, seek out or place ads in the several English-language newspapers or put flyers up in restaurants and businesses with a large foreign clientele expressing interest in acquiring a furry friend.

Adopt a 'Pre-Loved' Cambodian Pet Dog or Cat

Anthony Galloway, founder and director of local expatriate information service Expat Advisory Services (EAS), is a firm believer in pet adoption by new families moving into the Cambodian community.

"You can meet the owners, see that the animal comes from a good home, watch it in its home environment," he says. "There is really no reason why anyone coming to Cambodia should buy a new kitten or puppy when there are great pets already here and in need."

There is no established animal rescue shelter or domestic animal welfare group in Cambodia, where animal rights remain a low priority amongst the general population. Instead, Galloway's website runs a free information service advertising pets in need of adoption.

"People can email the owners before they even get to the country. Unlike South Korea or Thailand, there are no shelters or services here for pet adoption or rescue here, so this is a community service."

With Cambodia's borders open and no quarantine restrictions between neighboring Thailand, other new expatriates have taken advantage of excellent pet rescue services there, such as Bangkok's Soi Dog Rescue (SCAD/SDR), which takes in, nurses, neuters, vaccinates and finds former stray dogs and cats good homes. The animals can then be brought into Cambodia overland.

Help Discourage Cambodian Puppy Farms and Inhumane Pet Shops

With the demand for large dogs such as rottweilers and German shepherds growing amongst Cambodia's burgeoning middle class but absolutely no legislation restricting breeders, buying a pre-loved dog discourages so-called puppy farming.

And it cuts down the foreign business to the country's usually poorly maintained pet shops and mobile pet stalls, where dogs routinely forlornly await their fates in small cages, usually without vaccination and without potential buyers being able to determine their origins or the extent of any psychological trauma they may be suffering.

Another good place to find a pet responsibly is a veterinary surgery. There is a list of vets and their locations in the Cambodia Yellow Pages.

"We often have people come in and advertise on the notice board – especially for good homes for newborn kittens. Maybe they found them on the street or their own cat wasn't neutered," says Ly, an assistant at a Phnom Penh veterinary hospital. "It's a good idea, but there are many to find homes for."

So, bearing in mind the fact that pets should always be acquired as a longterm commitment, families coming to Cambodia wanting a friendly furry face around the house have options which could help another family forced to leave a loved one behind and a pet who needs a good new home.

Adopt a homeless pet in need and do a good deed – just remember what a huge responsibility adopting an animal is, and resist the temptation unless you truly believe they will have a good, stable home with lots of love for years to come.

The copyright of the article Adopting a Pet Dog or Cat in Cambodia in Pet Care is owned by Bronwyn Sloan. Permission to republish Adopting a Pet Dog or Cat in Cambodia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.