Former Millionaire Sells All Assets to Care for 2,000 Stray Dogs and Cats

Ya Tim, a 76-year-old former millionaire, has dedicated her life to operating Baan Nang Fah, an animal sanctuary caring for over 2,000 stray dogs and 400 cats. After a Facebook post showing her selling gold frames went viral with a caption about her sacrifice, she and her 37-year-old son opened up about their mission and financial struggles. Their primary income now comes from donations and selling personal assets—homes, gold, and valuables—because they cannot abandon the animals. Monthly expenses exceed 400,000 baht with no other revenue source.

Tim explained that before taking in strays, she did not accept donations. When her husband was alive, his business funded the sanctuary, but he died in 2021. A former employee of his then embezzled over 32 tractors and repair equipment valued at more than 10 million baht, crippling the business. Tim filed a complaint with police in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province but has pursued it no further after making ten trips and never meeting the defendant. She abandoned the case, worn down by travel costs and with no legal resources, choosing instead to focus on caring for the animals.

Despite years passing, Tim still hopes for justice and recovery of the stolen funds, but she lacks the means to hire a lawyer or the time to fight. Financial problems compounded after the theft: lawsuits, property seizures, and bank debt followed. All donations go to the animals, forcing her to sell possessions to pay debts. When asked if she holds hope for justice, Tim said she doubts the thief still has the money, suspecting it was spent or transferred to relatives long ago.