BangkokMay 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A student-led project at Chulalongkorn University is demonstrating how community action can provide sustainable solutions for urban stray animal management. The project integrates veterinary care, public education, and digital tools to simultaneously enhance animal welfare and public health.
Chulalongkorn University Students Lead Community-Driven Stray Animal Welfare Model
Established nine years ago, the Animal Welfare Club of veterinary students at Chulalongkorn University operates the “JohnJud (Stray)” project, caring for stray cats and dogs across all university faculties and surrounding areas such as Siam Square and Samyan Market. Its work encompasses sterilization, vaccination, medical treatment, adoption placement, and public education, reflecting a holistic approach rooted in the “One Health” concept, which closely links the health of humans, animals, and the environment.
A key highlight of the project is the “JohnJud Map” online platform, which has recorded information on over 200 stray animals. The platform displays detailed profiles for each animal, including photos, temperament, and vaccination status, helping students, faculty, and the public interact with animals safely. The platform uses color-coded markers to distinguish whether an animal is friendly, shy, or requires cautious approach, thereby reducing fear and uncertainty in daily encounters.
At the core of the project is the internationally recognized “Trap-Neuter-Return” (TNR) model. Animals are captured, sterilized, vaccinated, and then returned to their original habitats, preventing unsterilized strays from moving in and gradually stabilizing the population. For tracking purposes, sterilized animals are marked or implanted with microchips, facilitating ongoing monitoring and care. To date, the project has successfully sterilized over 500 animals, yielding significant results.
Project organizers emphasize that relocating animals to shelters is not always feasible due to overcrowding and limited resources. The club prioritizes keeping animals in their familiar environments while improving their health and managing population numbers. For young or adaptable animals, adoption is promoted, with rigorous screening and follow-up visits ensuring long-term proper care.
The project also relies heavily on multi-party collaboration: a volunteer network comprising students from various faculties and local “feeders” helps monitor animal health, report new strays, and coordinate care; donations fund medical treatment and surgical costs; and the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Chulalongkorn University provides guidance for clinical operations.
Beyond caring for stray animals, the project offers students a practical training platform, honing their professional skills, teamwork abilities, and sense of social responsibility. As urban stray animal issues remain unresolved, the JohnJud project provides a replicable model, highlighting shared responsibility, community engagement, and harmonious coexistence between humans and animals.
Learn more: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/303151/