Dear

People often ask me how a woman from the UK, at my age, ended up opening an animal sanctuary in a remote corner of western Thailand. 

The truth is… I never really planned it.

About five and a half years ago, I found myself at a crossroads in life. I was 60 years old and had already spent nearly two decades living in Thailand, helping street dogs and cats however I could. But suddenly I was facing a difficult choice. Do I return to the UK and start over again? Or do I stay in Thailand and somehow try to build something of my own for the animals here?

Honestly, opening a sanctuary didn’t seem possible. I didn’t have the money. I didn’t have a wealthy organization behind me. I certainly didn’t have a grand business plan. What I did have was a lifetime of caring about animals - and a heart that simply couldn’t walk away from them.

One evening, while sitting at my neighbor’s house talking through my options with friends, something happened that changed my life forever. A tiny puppy - maybe three months old - had just been dumped from a car outside my house. That’s her in the banner image. She wandered right up to us. We named her Sangkhla. 

The next problem, of course, was money. I had none to start a sanctuary. Friends encouraged me to try a GoFundMe campaign. I remember feeling deeply pessimistic about it. I thought perhaps a few people might donate enough for some food or supplies. Instead, within two days, enough money came in to begin. Most of it came from people I had met over years of rescue work - people who believed in me long before there was ever a sanctuary.

So, we started searching for land. Plot after plot after plot. Eventually we found the old abandoned boatyard that would become the Sangkhlaburi Animal Sanctuary. At first, it was little more than crumbling structures, leaking roofs, and hard labor. We cleared land, cleaned endlessly, built kennels, repaired buildings, and slowly created something from almost nothing.

During those early days, my now-manager Kate cared for Sangkhla at her home with her partner and children. The children became so attached that Sangkhla never came to live at the sanctuary permanently. She still lives there today, loved beyond measure, probably completely unaware that she was responsible for the birth of this entire sanctuary.

We have carried out nearly 13,000 spay and neuter surgeries. We have rescued starving animals, treated horrific injuries, comforted dying animals so they would not suffer alone, and saved countless dogs and cats who otherwise had absolutely no chance. We have found several of them forever homes!

We’ve built a free clinic in an area where veterinary care barely exists. We’ve welcomed volunteer veterinarians and vet nurses from around the world. And somehow, through hard work, determination, and the kindness of supporters like you, we’ve kept going.

There was a time when I truly believed we might lose everything… 

A benefactor we depended heavily upon suddenly withdrew support, and I remember sitting here wondering how I would continue. I was already thinking about finding homes for our rescued dogs because I feared we might have to close.

I’ve never been someone who enjoys talking about myself. I’m much more comfortable talking about the animals. But the reality is that this sanctuary survives only because people continue to care enough to help us keep the doors open.

Every single day is a balancing act - caring for animals, managing staff and volunteers, fundraising, handling accounts and paperwork, organizing adoptions, coordinating with vets, and trying to prepare for the next emergency before it arrives.

Some days are exhausting. Some days are heartbreaking. But every single life saved reminds me why we started. And why we cannot stop now.

If you believe in what we have built together here in Sangkhlaburi, I am asking for your help today. If you have donated before, please consider donating again today. If you haven’t yet donated, please consider doing so now.  The animals need you!

Your donation will help us continue rescuing injured and abandoned dogs and cats, providing free veterinary care, running sterilization clinics, feeding strays, and ensuring that when an animal suffers in this remote border region, someone is there to help.

I believe Sangkhla appeared that night for a reason. Call it fate. And I believe every person who supports this sanctuary becomes part of that story too. Thank you SO much!

With heartfelt gratitude,

PS: I often wonder what would have happened if that tiny puppy had not appeared outside my home that night. Thousands of dogs and cats would never have received help. Your support keeps that story going.