BMA puts stray cats up for adoption at BKK Expo 2024

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is inviting Bangkokians to check out and consider adopting stray cats at its BKK Expo 2024 in Benjakitti Forest Park in Klong Toei district.

Deputy BMA governor Tavida Kamolvej said on Thursday that several stray cats that have been vaccinated and sterilised are on show at the Sua Pa Benjakitti Museum Building until Sunday and people are welcome to visit and possibly adopt them.

She explained that only cats ready for a new home were selected from the Prawet animal shelter and will be given for adoption to people who have:
- The consent of their family
- A basic knowledge of taking care of animals
- The space to raise dogs or cats
- The means to shoulder the cost of raising pets
- A history of being kind to animals.

She added that those interested in adopting stray dogs can do so directly from the Prawet animal shelter.

Tavida admitted that the shelter had been notorious for cruelty to strays caught in response to complaints from city residents or after biting or attacking people. Now, however, she said the BMA is working on transforming the shelter into a new home for the animals.

“We are trying to turn the shelter into a house of love for these deserted pets,” she said. “Once the cats and dogs are brought to the shelter, they will be treated, trained and vaccinated so they can be adopted again.”

The shelter only has space for some 1,000 stray dogs and cats, so not all strays around the city can be taken care of, she said.

However, the BMA has been dispatching officials to sterilise as many stray animals as possible.

Apart from putting stray cats on show, the BKK Expo 24 held under the theme “the city can change because of you” also includes an interactive model of Bangkok, stalls featuring delicacies from Bangkok’s 50 districts, community products, workshops and a large playground to name a few. The event runs from June 20 to 23 from 9am to 9pm.