Temple Launches Mobile Cat Shelter Program
Phai Lom Temple in Nakhon Pathom has launched a mobile cat shelter program to capture, sterilize, vaccinate, and rehome stray cats after finding dozens living at a local school. The initiative addresses public health risks from unvaccinated
Phra Khru Plad Sithiwat Kittijitto, acting abbot of Phai Lom Temple in Nakhon Pathom province, has launched a roving cat shelter program to provide temporary care for stray cats dispersed throughout the community and ease social pressures. The ongoing problem of uncared-for stray dogs and cats, lacking proper health supervision and rabies vaccination, creates public safety risks when these animals bite residents.
The project began when temple staff inspecting Phai Lom School discovered dozens of strays living in the rear grounds. The school director reported insufficient personnel to capture and vaccinate them, prompting the temple to seek assistance. Temple monks and officials coordinated with the Nakhon Pathom District Livestock Office and municipal health authorities to capture nearly 20 cats, sterilize them, provide health checks, and prepare them for adoption by volunteer families.
"I was concerned for both students and the stray cats, since children might play with them and risk bites or scratches," the abbot explained. "We coordinated with veterinarians and volunteers from the Luang Por Pool Foundation to complete the first batch successfully, providing warm shelter and compassion on their way to real homes."
Under the formal program, all incoming strays undergo background checks on their surrenderer. Cats then receive sterilization, health exams, vaccinations, and infectious disease care managed by temple staff, before being offered for adoption to screened families. The project reflects Buddhist compassion toward neglected, homeless, hungry animals, and adopters earn spiritual merit.
Pattraporn Theersuppanya, Nakhon Pathom District livestock officer, noted this is the first such shelter in the municipality, addressing longstanding community requests as stray populations continue to grow. Sterilization reduces further breeding. The livestock office collaborates with local government bodies to deploy mobile teams offering free sterilization and vaccination to registered pet owners. Strong public support is expected, particularly among growing numbers of animal lovers and generous families eager to adopt strays as house pets.
