#PUPPYSAVINGPANTS
Thailand-based fashion company Bohemian Island partners
with Soi Dog Foundation
COMMUNITY // CAUSES AND ACTIVISM
“We
only get one chance to walk this
beautiful planet so why not be
as colorful as possible while we’re here and
try to spread some positivity through the
clothes we wear?”
James Smith, Founder and CEO of fun
fashion company Bohemian Island left a busy
corporate life in the West for Thailand where
he was inspired by the overall positivity
found in the Land of Smiles. He says, “The
style of our pants is very much inspired by
the Thai people. Put comfort first and always
wear them with a smile.”
When James moved to Thailand, the
lifelong dog lover wanted to stop and help
every stray dog and cat he passed on the
streets. “My heart would break every day. I
knew I wanted to do something to help, so
I searched for a local group and found Soi
Dog. Locals were speaking very highly of the
work they were doing so I paid them a visit
and was blown away. I couldn’t possibly start
a business selling Thai-made clothing without
giving back to the local community.”
You can wear #PuppySavingPants with pride
since Bohemian Island donates 10% of net prof-
its to the Soi Dog Foundation as well as other
Thai-based animal welfare organizations.Soi Dog Foundation
Soi Dog Foundation’s holistic approach to
working with animals includes providingby Felicia Tomasko
shelter, supporting rescue efforts, offer-
ing medical treatment, sterilization of stray
animals, vaccination, and advocacy for animal
welfare across Asia. Since 2003, when Soi
Dog became active in their efforts to run spay
and neuter clinics for stray animals in Phuket,
Thailand, the population of strays on the
island has dropped from more than 80,
to a current estimate of 5,000. They maintain
a hospital dedicated to the treatment of
street dogs.
Soi Dog Foundation President and Co-
Founder John Dalley says, “Our aim is simple:
to see no more stray dogs not only in Thailand
but throughout Asia. A huge task, but what
we’re doing here is setting an example that
such a target can be achieved. It’s not only a
case of caring for the dogs but also solving a
social issue. It’s a situation where we need to
reduce the suffering by reducing the popula-
tion. Capture, neuter, vaccinate, release is very
much at the core of what we do.
There are an awful lot of stray animals
here, and many local people don’t want them
around. If one comes near their house they
can be quite violent in getting rid of it or even
in some cases poisoning them. We’ve seen all
kinds of horror stories, including drunk gangs
attacking dogs with machetes and other ob-
jects. It can be horrific and terribly cruel. We
are all they’ve got really. There’s no national
organization here, it’s usually groups like
ourselves and smaller ones around Thailand
which are generally set up by foreigners that
remain the only hope for the strays here.”
Dalley says, “It’s our supporters who
make the difference. We are totally reliant
on great people.” James Smith, everyone at
Bohemian Island, and the people worldwide
who purchase the clothing, are all part of this
far-flung team of supporters who are positively
impacting the lives of street dogs and cats
throughout Asia.
For more information about Bohemian
Island, visit: bohemianisland.com.Soi Dog Foundation is located in Phuket, Thailand
and is open to visitors, volunteers, donations, and
people able to adopt rescued animals. For more
information about the work of Soi Dog Foundation,
visit: soidog.org.CATALIA IS A FRENCH-THAI PHUKET NATIVE. SHE’S A VEGAN AND ANIMAL LOVER WHO HAS ADOPTED TWO
STREET DOGS. HER FAMILY ALSO TAKES CARE OF MANY STRAY CATS ON THEIR HOTEL RESORT ON NEARBY
PHIPHI ISLAND. DURING PHOTO SHOOTS, STRAY DOGS SPONTANEOUSLY VISIT HER ON THE BEACH.