In October 2001, Shevaun Gallwey, an Irish veterinarian, set up PhaNgan Animal Care (or PAC as it's known to its friends) to care for the stray animals of Koh PhaNgan, Thailand.

As well as carrying out a widespread neutering program to control the stray animal population, PAC also vaccinates and treats these forgotten animals.

The charity has faced several hardships to get to where it is today. It was initially located on school grounds and, after the unrest in the South of Thailand which was often aimed towards schools, PAC was evicted from its premises for safety reasons. Even after completing the huge task of constructing a new, purpose-built clinic with very little funding, the charity's troubles did not end.

A fire-bomb attack shortly after the opening of the new premises threw the charity's whole existence into question. Did the local population even want PAC to keep doing their work? An island-wide survey was carried out and the support from the community was overwhelming. PAC picked itself up, dusted itself down and got on with what it does best; treating animals that have nobody else to turn to.

In October 2011, PAC celebrated its tenth birthday. Whether it makes it to eleven is down to you. To find out how you can help, visit PacThailand.org or find PAC on Facebook at facebook.com/PhanganAnimalCare.

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