Claudia Sigrist
Claudia lives in Switzerland together with her husband and two rescue cats and a rescue dog. She works as a senior project manager in the telecommunications industry, is a huge animal lover, and has been active in animal welfare throughout her life, volunteering for local animal welfare organisations and shelters, and running private animal welfare and sterilisation projects in Switzerland.
Back in 2006, during her first trip to Thailand, she learned about Soi Dog Foundation and became immediately drawn in by the Soi Dog 'magic'.
After receiving a personal introduction to the shelter and the animals in their care by co-founders John and Gill Dalley, Claudia got to know everything about the foundation and it was clear to her that she wanted to support the amazing and impressive work she witnessed.
Back in Switzerland, Claudia started supporting with translations of the Soi Dog newsletters and website into German, and she also started the Soi Dog German Facebook page. She became a regional representative, acting as contact person for supporters in the DACH region, ran local events and supported local adoptions by carrying out home checks and follow-ups with the adopters.
During another visit to the shelter in 2007, Claudia met her 'soul dog', Joya, who travelled to Switzerland soon after as one of the first Soi dogs adopted there. Joya became a Soi Dog ambassador and won a lot of hearts along the way. They had 12 beautiful and happy years together.
Claudia is a founding member of the Soi Dog International Foundation and continues to support Soi Dog by acting as a regional representative. She remains an integral part of the adoptions support team.