The Irish man who turned dog days on Koh Samui into a rescue story to reduce Thailand’s strays

His daily efforts to rescue ill and injured street dogs on Thailand’s Koh Samui have captured the affection of many online – even earning a permanent home for a stray with Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher.

Now Niall Harbison has a bigger dream: to reduce the street dog population across all of Thailand by half and, eventually, expand his efforts worldwide.

“It’s a big goal, but I believe it’s possible – with sterilisation, education and community collaboration. If we can do it on an island like Samui, we can do it nationwide,” Harbison told This Week in Asia from his Happy Doggo centre on the southern island.

His dog saving days attract hundreds of thousands of social media followers, starting with early morning feeding for 1,200 canines who line quiet island roads, waiting expectantly for their breakfast.

On his rounds, he often discovers rescues – scared abandoned puppies, injured or sick animals. Back at his centre, volunteers arrive early to walk the dogs or prepare the 250kg of food needed for daily feeding.

“It’s hard, nonstop work,” said Harbison, who is from Ireland but started his dog work on the Thai island more than three years ago.