CAMBODIA #2

I decided to do a second post for Cambodia, because it's been part of my life long after I left - and it's PUPPIES!

LOCATION: SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

FOCUS: Pagoda Puppies

LOCAL PARTNER: Paw Patrol Cambodia

TOTAL DONATED:  $9,600 to feed street dogs, for spaying and neutering, and for getting four puppies adopted and sent to their forever homes in the USA!

I had more time in Cambodia, so I did another google search for animal sanctuaries, and up popped the instagram of "Paw Patrol Cambodia." I reached out to Jen to ask if she needed help, and lo and behold, she did!

Paw Patrol Cambodia is a lovely small organization that works around Siem Reap at the temples and pagodas, because many stray cats and dogs congregate there, and are generally cared for by the community. Great, yes, but there are many issues - as there is a lack of education on nutrition (dogs being fed peppers and onions), as well as so many unwanted pregnancies and more litters of puppies to be cared for.

Paw Patrol Cambodia raises money to spay and neuter these dogs and cats, but can never keep up with demand or all the vet bills - but they keep plowing forward. For my two days with them, we ran around to different pagodas (after I got my official volunteer shirt), checking the welfare of the dogs and providing rice and dry food. This was a dreamy day for me - running around the pagodas, playing with dogs and loving on puppies (especially little Stella in the top picture)! HEAVEN.

I was so fortunate to be able to provide a donation to run their spay and neuter clinic for four weekends, and a little extra for food!

If you are in Siem Reap, please reach out to Jen and tell her I sent you!

Go and volunteer with Paw Patrol Cambodia for a day - after you make a donation... ;-). Please follow them on social media and donate to her! https://www.instagram.com/paw_patrol_cambodia/

I loved being there, but things escalated quickly when the monks at the pagoda were getting complaints about the pus, and decided to "get rid of them." This is usually turning a blind eye to someone taking them to sell into the illegal meat trade, but luckily, they gave Paw Patrol notice and she went to get them and we decided to try and find them homes.

I put out a plea online, and low and behold found homes for them within a week!

It's a crazy story! I posted it, then my dear friend Joar Berge (the famous Moustache Farmer) put it on his stories, and a woman agreed to take all four puppies for her, and her neighbors! AND, she lives an hour from me at home in NY! So I can visit anytime I want!

After six months waiting at their foster homes in Siem Reap, while getting shots, spayed, approval from the USA, etc... they were cleared to travel! I learned while I was in the hospital in Bangkok, and it was the best news I could have received during a rough day post surgery.

So, the puppies finally got on a plane to their forever homes and flew to NY! THE BEST THING EVER!

As soon as I get videos and pics of them settled in, I'll make an update!