About Us
The Ban ObOun dog shelter in Thailand was founded in March 2008 by two women of character, Michèle Bise, a Swiss citizen who has lived in this country for over 8 years (2008-2016), and Sombut Singkaew, a Thai teacher from Uthai Thani province.
The sanctuary is financially supported by the the Association of Swiss Friends of the Ban Oboun Dog Sanctuary, founded on March 19, 2013 and chaired by Dominique Brustlein-Bobst, a kind-hearted woman and ambassador for numerous humanitarian causes in Switzerland and around the world, whose unwavering support made it possible to lay the first stones of the sanctuary.
The refuge officially became a foundation in Thailand on April 17, 2014: the Ban Oboun Foundation.
Ban ObOun has the honor of being patronized by two remarkable people:
Sarah Marquis
Sarah Marquis, a famous Swiss explorer and author who has been walking the world for over 20 years
Matthieu Ricard
Matthieu Ricard, renowned essayist and photographer, now a Buddhist monk.
The Sanctuary
The idea of a sanctuary emerged after more than 10 years in the field caring for stray dogs in one of the districts of Bangkok, a metropolis of over 10 million inhabitants; it was also the culmination of a desire to give them a safe haven where they could live away from the streets and its dangers.
The shelter was built on a 4,000m2 plot of land in the middle of rice paddies in the Nongchang district of Uthai Thani (a province 280 km northwest of Bangkok).
With a maximum capacity of 150 dogs, the sanctuary has grown steadily over the years, welcoming new residents as well as aging members of the Ban ObOun family. It currently has 75 dogs and 5 cats.
Our mission
Ban ObOun, which means loving home, is dedicated to rescuing stray, abused and roadside accident dogs, caring for them and giving them a permanent home until their last breath. Our fight is also to defend their cause so that they are recognized as dogs in their own right. They are entitled to receive care when they are ill, affection and love throughout their lives. Living and dying with dignity is part of our vocation.
Our slogan: a gentle caress is all it takes !
