Dogs are no different from human beings in that they will feel sad and a sense of loneliness if they are neglected by their owners, says Kawiporn Vinijthaopatom, the founder of CHSAThai Stray Animal Shelter, who has dedicated her life to taking care of stray dogs.
"They can feel the loneliness and fear ... the feeling of being unwanted by their owners who once loved them but when bored tend to cast them away, leaving them at animal shelters," she added.
Mrs Kawiporn is the talk of the town after reports emerged last week that her animal charity project costs a fortune to run.
Mrs Kawiporn, 68-year-old cement truck business owner, said she had spent 100 million baht over 14 years caring for over 2,000 stray dogs which were abandoned by their owners.
The sum includes 30 million baht she spent in buying a 30 rai plot in Muak Lek district of Saraburi province, after the previous shelter in her home in Nontaburi province was hit by the 2011 floods. Her first shelter also was criticised by neighbours.
So far, the new animal shelter, registered as the CHSAThai Stray Animal Shelter foundation, has provided a home to more than 2,000 stray cats and dogs.
"All dogs living here have their own story. But one thing I can feel is they all need a home and owner. They are so frightened when they are abandoned. They don't know where they are and where to go. Some die on the roads, hit by cars. Believe me, a dog loves you and shows loyalty to you. Please do not desert them," she added.
Mrs Kawiporn became an animal rights activist by chance when she had visited a temple over a decade ago, and found stray dogs.
Saddened by the sight of mangy dogs, she decided to get them vaccinated and neutered and returned them at the temple.
Two weeks later, she returned to the temple only to learn the stray dogs had been killed by villagers. After that, she decided to take in stray dogs herself.
Taking care of dogs is hard work and she needs 20 staff members at the shelter.
The number of dogs keeps increasing as word spreads and people drop stray animals at the shelter. Recently, the foundation received 14 dogs from Sri Thanya Hospital in Nonthaburi province.
Many people have come forward with donations since the recent publicity, according to Anunthorn Vinijthoapatom, her son, who helps her take care of the foundation.
The money will keep the shelter going for about a month. The foundation has been relying on donations for three years after the family's financial reserves dried up as the economy suffered.
Mr Anunthorn said the donations might help stray animals temporarily yet giving the money to the foundation is not a sustainable solution. Education, he said, is the key.
Schools should start teaching children from an early age about showing a sense of responsibility towards pets.
"That will groom responsible pet owners, which will help reduce the number of stray dogs and cats,'' he said.
He said the Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animals Act also needs to work better. Despite the law imposing a penalty on owners who desert their pets, the law is seldom enforced.
"Society still looks at this issue as a trivial matter," he said.
Mr Anunthorn said authorities should also make sure all pets are implanted with microchips to trace their origins and hold owners accountable.
The act imposes a fine up to of 10,000 baht on owners who desert their pets.
According to Sawan Sangbunlung, of the Thai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA), the capital city has about 700,000 stray dogs.
