Aleyce McLatchie and her dog Ted. Photo / Andrew Warner
Aleyce McLatchie and her dog Ted. Photo / Andrew Warner
Dogs bearing scars from burns and machete attacks, missing limbs or deformities from past injuries - these are atrocities to man's best friend that many of us cannot comprehend. But for Tauranga legal assistant Aleyce McLatchie it will all be in a day's work if she is to strengthen herbid to help reduce and prevent animal cruelty.
In June she will fly to Thailand for an eight-day holiday. While there, she will forgo sightseeing for a day to volunteer at the Soi Dog Foundation.
The voluntary day is made possible with the help of her employer Harris Tate Lawyers, who are donating to the cause and giving her a paid day's leave as part of their "day off for charity" initiative.
The Soi Dog Foundation, based in Phuket, represents an animal refuge facility housing more than 400 dogs and dozens of cats that have been rescued from the streets of Thailand or from the Asian meat trade.
Every year, tens of thousands of dogs are inhumanely transported from Thailand to neighbouring countries where they are butchered by cruel methods, according to the foundation.
Ms McLatchie, who has a 1-year-old cavoodle (cavalier king charles and poodle cross) named Ted, is steeling herself for the experience.
"The foundation has advised that you need to be prepared to witness sights you are not used to seeing at home, including dogs with burns or machete wounds," she said.
"It will be an uncomfortable experience ... [but] you need to see that side to appreciate what they are doing."
