When you travel to an exotic Thai island, you might not think that an animal shelter would be high on your list of to-dos. But think again. Travelers call this innovative cat and dog shelter a must-do. The Soi Dog Foundation was established in 2003 to try and care for the tens of thousands of street cats and dogs as well as to fight the dog meat trade. Today, the shelter contains hundreds of animals that visitors can meet and play with. 

Reviewers said that although the Soi Dog Foundation is a bit out of the way, it's completely worth it, calling their visit both heartbreaking and inspirational. To get the fullest experience, most suggest taking one of the guided tours throughout the shelter, and some even recommend clearing a few days in your itinerary to volunteer at the shelter. 

The Soi Dog shelter is free to visit and open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Visitors can take free guided tours of the shelter at 9:30 and 11 a.m., and 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. The dog shelter is located in the Thalang district, which is about a 15-minute drive from the airport. If you're taking a taxi, the shelter recommends that you show your driver the address in Thai, visible here. For more information, visit the Soi Dog Foundation's website.