Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) is a Thai registered foundation looking after the welfare of elephants throughout Thailand. Their primary initiative is to operate the world's first elephant hospital – a service that was desperately needed for the improvement of elephant welfare. With only a single veterinarian in Thailand, keepers had no options to help their injured or ill elephants. FAE was formed to change this. The hospital offers free care to any elephant, regardless of the circumstances. In order to provide this level of support, Friends of the Asian Elephant exists solely on the support of their partners and the generosity of donors. Having operated for over 23 years, FAE Elephant Hospital has now treated more than 4000 elephants. This includes 737 in-patients and 952 out-patients, as well as 2582 elephants treated through the Mobile Vets Project. Currently, FAE has five full-time residents who have either been rescued from their owners or have been donated so that they may be cared for by the hospital. They are permanent resident in-patients, who cannot leave the hospital because they require intensive, full-time care. Additionally, there is one younger long-term in-patient, Dante, but he will eventually leave when he is well and old enough. The Elephant Hospital is open to all visitors.