Best Ethical Rehabilitation Centres in Phuket

Want to do the right thing by travelling in Phuket? Consider visiting these three animal welfare centres handpicked by Kata Rocks.

Ethical tourism requires thinking about the consequences of actions as a tourist on the environment, local animals, local people and the local economy. Phuket’s tourism industry offers tangible benefits to many Thai communities where the tourist trade is the main source of income and jobs. For visitors looking to help whilst on holiday in Phuket read on to learn about the island’s best ethical rehabilitation centres.

The Bodhi Dog and Rescue Shelter

Visitors to Phuket are asked to please visit The Bodhi Dog and Rescue Shelter to lend a helping hand. Children absolutely love spending some time with the dogs at the shelter, and the dogs adore children who come to visit! There are usually lots of puppies and kittens for them to cuddle, play with, wash, brush or walk. The shelter is also looking for volunteers that are flying from Thailand to USA/Canada and Europe, who could accompany dogs on route to their new homes. So, if any visitors can play this important role for this crucial part of the journey, please let them know your travel arrangements by completing the form below.

We would like to remind people that the shelter is not just that, it is on temple grounds and is subject to modesty and respect. They also would like to ask people to make donations to the temple when visiting, as this shelter would not exist if it wasn’t for the generosity of Phra Ajaan Cha and the temple committee. The temple needs funds to operate and do not charge rent or payments for electricity or water usage.

The Bodhi Dog and Rescue Shelter is located at the Pakhlok Buddhist Temple which is about 5.6 kilometres along Pakhlok Road. For directions or information call +66 84 628 8077

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP) has worked to rescue, rehabilitate and release gibbons back into Thailand’s forest since 1992.

Before visiting the GRP, visitors should remember it is not a zoo. As mentioned its mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release gibbons back to the forest. However, it does allow visitors to view some gibbons and it is a good place to take children to learn about the environment and wildlife.

The GRP is in the Khao Pra Theaw non-hunting area at the Bang Pae Waterfall, about nine kilometres east from the ‘Heroines Monument’. Visitors are welcome to come view gibbons from an observation platform every day from 9 am to 4:30 pm except on Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm.
For GRP volunteers, it’s important to listen to instructions and take advice when working alongside Thai staff and other long-term volunteers. Visitors who have in interest in volunteering for GRP should email them on volunteer@gibbonproject.org for more information.

Soi Dog Foundation

Soi Dog Foundation (Soi Dog) was established in 2003 in Phuket to help care for the estimated 50,000 street dogs and cats on the island that no-one else looks after. It spays and neuters these animals to prevent unwanted puppies and kittens being born into suffering. This along with the rescue, vaccination, medical treatment, sheltering, and adoption of animals is its primary mission.
Soi Dog is always in need of donated medical supplies to help treat stray cats and dogs in Thailand. Please email clinic@soidog.org so they can advise what items are most urgently needed.

It encourages any prospective volunteers to spend up to a month or longer at its shelter. When volunteers stay for several weeks, they build close relationships with the animals who in turn become more bonded to people. It particularly needs volunteers to give tours of the shelter and talk with visitors. Those with any further questions about volunteering or visiting the shelter can email volunteering@soidog.org