When Lana Chapman first encountered Cindy, a severely overweight street dog lying outside a 7-Eleven in Koh Samui, Thailand, she couldn’t just walk away. The dog was so large and lethargic she could barely move. Without hesitation, Chapman, an Australian living on the island, decided to take Cindy in, not knowing that her simple act of kindness would spark an overwhelming response from strangers around the world.
Cindy’s story quickly went viral after Chapman shared her progress online. Weighing nearly 45 kilograms, Cindy was in desperate need of weight loss and daily medication. Over time, she made tremendous strides, and Chapman thought the worst was behind her. But then, a few weeks ago, Cindy stopped eating. What followed was a series of alarming visits to the vet, where Cindy was diagnosed with lymphoma, a common and aggressive cancer in dogs.
“I was devastated,” Chapman recalled. “The vet didn’t think she would survive for more than a few weeks, but we wanted to try everything we could to help her.” Immediate treatment began, with chemotherapy starting the very same day. But the costs were mounting quickly—initial tests alone totaled nearly $2,500, and the full course of chemotherapy would cost significantly more.
With no pet insurance available and the situation growing dire, Chapman turned to crowdfunding, launching a GoFundMe page with a modest goal of $10,000 to cover Cindy’s care. “I never expected anything close to what happened,” she said. Within days, nearly $50,000 poured in, far surpassing her expectations. “People have been following Cindy’s journey from the start, and they really care about her,” Chapman said, visibly moved by the outpouring of support.
Australians are known for their deep affection for pets, and research shows that they are increasingly willing to spend significant amounts on veterinary care. According to a 2024 survey, the average Australian spends around $825 annually on their pets’ health, with many willing to pay as much as $3,000 for life-saving treatments. Younger Australians, particularly Gen Z, are even more inclined to spend, with some willing to invest up to $15,000 for a pet’s care.
The generosity shown to Cindy reflects this growing willingness to help pets in need, especially through platforms like GoFundMe. In 2023, over 221,000 fundraisers were created for animal-related causes. For Chapman, the donations mean that Cindy will receive the necessary cancer treatment, and any surplus will go towards helping other street dogs on the island.
For years, Chapman has been funding the care of stray dogs out of her own pocket, but with the funds raised, she hopes to make a real difference in the lives of the estimated one million stray dogs in Thailand. “This money will help Cindy, and it will also help other dogs in need,” she said. “It’s just amazing to see how much people care.”
Now, as Cindy continues her battle against cancer, Chapman remains hopeful, grateful for the support of so many who have helped her make a difference in the life of a dog who was once alone on the streets.
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