Our History
Hua Hin Dog Rescue (HHRDR) was the forerunner to Headrock Dogs Rescue and was set up by a French couple sometime in 2003. They managed it for 2 years but ill health saw it handed over to an English mother and daughter team. The current management team, Thep and Verity, took over the management in 2008 when we relocated 30 dogs to Bang Saphan.
HRD Centre 2008 - 2010
That year over 30 dogs arrived in Bang Saphan from Hua Hin. This was done because our shelter was given 10 days notice of closure by the council. Verity the Adoptions Manager successfully found homes for 45 dogs leaving 30 of the youngest. Thep and Verity couldn’t let them be taken by the Dog Pound so took them to Bang Saphan where they’d just moved to.
In 2010 the Lung Por (Abbot) of a beautiful Temple nearby contacted us to ask for our help with his very sickly dogs and puppies suffering from a wide range of diseases. Seven years later we’re still working at the Temple helping to keep the dogs and puppies healthy.
The Temple now has over 85 strong and healthy dogs with the dog loving nun caring for nearly 40 with our financial and medical assistance.
2014 saw major developments to the Headrock Dogs centre. We have always kept building to a minimum so all donations can go towards the dogs’ health but we have been able to build 4 puppy pens and a shelter which the dogs love.
At this time we began to have a lot of support from a wonderful 4 woman Australian team involved with Soi Dog Australia. They were able to raise enough money to concrete the area where the dogs lie!
At the beginning of 2015 we received further funding from K9Aid supporters and were able to build a small structure where we can store medicines and wash our hands! It was divided in two and the other half provides a storage facility where we can keep the dogs’ food. This simple structure has made a vast improvement to our efficiency.
HRD Rescue is still run by Thep and Verity with the help of Thep’s cousin and a stream of wonderful volunteers who’s devotion and hard work is invaluable. We have 50 dogs at our Centre (2017) and a constant stream of tiny abandoned puppies all of whom we find homes for. If it wasn’t for the ceaseless work finding loving homes for our dogs and puppies we would have over 900! Thep being Thai is an invaluable asset with adoptions.
OUR GOALS
RESCUE - HEALING - ADOPTION
- NEUTERING TEMPLE, STREET AND BEACH DOGS,
- CURING SICK AND ABANDONED DOGS AND PUPPIES
- REPLACING SUFFERING WITH HAPPINESS
In the 9 years to 2017 we have saved 880 dogs and puppies, homed 780 dogs and puppies and neutered 900 mainly puppies but also temple, street and beach dogs.
Our mission is to:
Support the longterm health of approximate 200 dogs located in Wat Tam Ma Rong temple
To nurse all sick puppies and dogs either at our Centre or brought in from the street
Facilitate the adoption of the abandoned nun’s dogs (approx. 28)
To advertise our Centre dogs and puppies for adoption locally and nationally
To neuter all dogs and puppies that come into our care either at the Temple or our Centre
To neuter all dogs and puppies for poor locals
To help with medications and vets bills for injured street dogs and dogs of poor locals
To assist street dogs that can be treated on site
THE AREA
Bang Saphan is a sleepy beach town on the Gulf of Thailand, it can be reached from Bangkok, 380km away, in approximately 5 hours by road. There are actually two Bangsaphan’s; Bangsaphan Noi and Bangsaphan Yai (meaning big and small when translated from Thai). We will focus on the larger since not a lot happens in the smaller.
Bangsaphan is still an undiscovered getaway destination so come and see it now before the crowds descend!
Bang Saphan is a safe area with a low crime rate.
For most standard tourists the usual recommended vaccinations for Thailand include cover against the childhood diseases (Tetanus and Diphtheria, Measles, Mumps and Rubella) as well as cover against the food borne diseases of Typhoid and Hepatitis A. For those trekking in the Thai countryside or staying for longer periods then cover against Hepatitis B and Rabies should be considered.
Bangsaphan Restaurants
Most of the popular bars and restaurants can be found in the Suan Luang beach area, where most of the accommodation is. There are a lot of Thai food stalls and smaller restaurants in town however very little English is spoken and menus (if they have them) are likely to be only in Thai. One exception to this is Tae’s Restaurant which can be found just along from the railway station. There are a number of Thai seafood restaurants around the bay at Mae Rampheung and probably too many to list here. There are also local markets on Sunday’s, Tuesday’s and Thursday’s that have typical Thai market food and snacks.
Bangsaphan is not a late night place and most restaurants will be closed by 9 pm. Those in the tourist areas will stay open later if they have customers.
Around Bangsaphan
Ban Krut
Ban Krut is a small beach town that is situated around 20 kilometers north of Bangsaphan Yai. It has a beautiful long golden beach and a beach road lined with restaurants and resorts.
The main difference to Bangsaphan is this road, it gives the beach a “busier” feel as opposed to the quiet settings and limited road access further south. The beach road has also undergone massive development with new resorts, condos and shopfronts all appearing in the last year or two.
The town at Ban Krut is nothing more than a cluster of small local shops and houses. Larger shopping areas can found in Prachuap Khiri Khan which is about 70 kilometers to the north or further south in Chumphon.
The journey from Ban Krut to Bangsaphan only takes around 20 minutes but passes through some spectacular scenery including miles of unspoilt beach, coconut palm groves, colourful fishing boats and azure blue ocean.
Getting there and away
Bus
Bangsaphan is reached by bus, train or car. Blue government buses run to and from Bangkok every hour or so, the journey takes around 6 hours and it is approximately 400 kilometers m from the capital. The cost each way is approx 300 baht. You do not need to book government buses unless it is a long weekend Thai holiday, when invariably they will be full.
Minivan
Small passenger vans run from Bangsaphan to Chumphon and Prachuapkirikhan, the journey takes just over an hour, they can be picked up at the clock tower in town.
Train
There are several trains stopping at Bangsaphan heading north or south, these can be booked in advanced and it is recommended to do so.
Car
If driving yourself the journey takes around five half hours from Bangkok, two and a half hours from Hua Hin or an hour from Chumphon. The town, Bangsaphan Yai, is located around 9 kilometers off the main Petchkasem highway, it is well signposted from both directions.
We want/need dog lovers who are happy to get stuck in. We don't ask for money and don't expect you to work at the hottest time of day. We just want enthusiastic people who are ready to give there love to our dogs (you'll get plenty back off them).
If you choose us you'll have beautiful views, food and amazing sites on your door step; you'll enjoy the company of 40-50 happy, loving dogs; you'll know that you are working with a group which believes in natural treatments and no harsh chemicals when treating our dogs; Yu'll be working with an organisation which is ethical and caring not just about jobs but the people we work with and the environment we work in.
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