Kampot Dog Sanctuary at High Tide
By Jason for Discover Kampot
Order a drink at High Tide and you won’t be alone for long. Dogs come up to the table, settle underneath, and one or two will follow you into the river for a swim.
Cambodia is hard on street dogs. Unwanted animals usually end up at the local pagodas, where care is scarce, and euthanasia is often the only alternative. Nine years ago, an Australian known locally as “Pu Joe” took in his first rescue, a dog named Bear. He built the Kampot Dog Sanctuary around High Tide, the riverside hostel and bar he runs.
Around 70 dogs live here at any given time. They roam freely and mix with guests while Joe works on their rehabilitation and, eventually, adoption. All are vaccinated and de-sexed before they leave, and new owners sign a care contract. Many have since gone to families abroad.
The bar is what keeps it running. High Tide generates much of the income that funds the sanctuary, though it isn’t enough on its own. Buying a drink while you sit by the river is the simplest way to help, and it lets travelers meet the dogs without turning the place into a formal attraction. If you want to do more, contact them through their website and ask what they actually need before planning around it.
How to Get to High Tide Dog Sanctuary
From Kampot old town, cross the bridge to the far bank and follow the river road heading north. After about 4km, look for signs on the right side of the road. They mark the turnoff for a dirt road that does not look like it leads anywhere. Turn right and follow it about 150m. High Tide is at the end.
A tuk-tuk from town costs around $2.50, though plenty of people come by motorbike or bicycle. There is no entry fee. They open at 10am and stay open until after dark, and it works best as a slow morning or late afternoon rather than a quick photo stop.
You can find out more on their website or stop by and visit High Tide.
Further reading
The Kinky Tail of Cambodian Cats
Have you noticed that many of the local cats have stumpy, kinked tails? You're not the first.
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