Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is working with Soi Dog Foundation to tackle the capital’s ever-increasing population of stray dogs and cats.

Soi Dog is the colloquial term for stray dogs in Thailand, with “Soi” referring to lanes and alleyways where strays like hiding.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between BMA and the foundation on Thursday at City Hall, with deputy governor Tavida Kamolvej presiding over the event.

Under the MoU, spaying services will be provided for pets and strays to limit the population and reduce the risk of attacks.

BMA and Soi Dog Foundation have also agreed to educate Bangkok residents about how to protect themselves from rabies as well as to treat animals humanely.

Tavida said the BMA turned to Phuket-based Soi Dog Foundation for help as it cannot tackle the city’s growing population of strays on its own.

“We have to discuss this with all related parties, including those affected by strays, animal lovers and animal rights groups,” she said. “This is a sensitive issue, and the city aims to make all residents understand that these strays are part of society, who also must be properly managed and controlled.”

Tavida reckoned that BMA’s tie-up with the foundation and related partners could take up to two years to yield tangible results, as the manpower and technology required are limited.

Also, she said, working with sick animals requires proper veterinarians.

The deputy governor, however, said she hopes the cooperation with Soi Dog Foundation will help boost the city’s effort in controlling the population of strays.

Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is hoping to get all stray dogs and cats in the city spayed and microchipped within 2024.

Last year, BMA’s Health Department spayed 18,757 stray cats and dogs and vaccinated 106,217 against rabies. This year, 17,330 strays have been spayed so far, and 110,819 given rabies shots.