A Glimmer Of Hope for Bali Dogs
Support A Charitable Cause While On Holiday In Bali-Indonesia
Dogs Not Welcome
Dogs do not always get an easy time in some of the poorer countries around the world, even less so when the government of the country they are living in is not predisposed to help them due to religious reasons. In some countries, dogs are not a fashionable or popular cause, and are quite often persona non grata.
However, some kind heated locals and expats in the popular Balinese tourist town of Ubud are trying their best to change that. B.A.R.C, Bali (Dog) Adoption Rehabilitation Center, was founded by Linda Buller four years ago, after she realized she needed a larger place to bring some of the abused and neglected Balinese dogs she collected rather than taking them all back to her own home.
A Safe And Loving Place To Go
Linda felt these abused animals needed somewhere to be cared for and loved, medically treated, or at least, ‘humanely put out of their misery,’ if there was nothing that could be done to save them. That is how B.A.R.C was born.
With no money, no people to help, and no clue if and how her dream would even be feasible, Linda converted an abandoned gallery and began to pray. An artist by profession, Linda managed to sell almost $10,000 worth of art to begin funding her dream rehabilitation center.
A Change Of Attitude Needed
Linda says, ‘It would be good to encourage the Indonesian people to work on humane solutions. I want them to legislate to protect animals, I want them to conduct animal welfare education, and I want them to stop the inhumane slaughter methods they currently use and to make it illegal to steal and eat dogs especially loved stolen pets.’
The Future for B.A.R.C
Linda and her dedicated team at B.A.R.C are currently renovating and they have lots of plans for how to move forward in the future. They have 2 resident vets but they would dearly love some Australian vets to come and spend some time at the center and volunteer their expertise. They also urgently need medical supplies and a way of getting them to Bali. Everyday canine items such as blankets, bowls, anti tick and flea treatments are always high on their wish list. Some of the more expensive but also most important items needed at the center are an anesthetic machine, and land to set up a sanctuary for some of the un-adoptable dogs with more serious injuries or traumas.
What Can Visitors To Ubud Do?
B.A.R.C certainly housed some extremely examples of cruelty and clearly showed the need for both local and foreign support. Ubud, and indeed the whole of Bali, generates a large percentage of Indonesia’s tourist dollar, and it would be a struggle to find a more worthwhile place to spend some of those dollars in Bali.
Ubud is a peaceful, breathtakingly beautiful town in which to while away a few days, and there is a mind blowing range of local and international restaurants, clothing, artwork, souvenirs, and day trips to spend those dollars on. Why not visit B.A.R.C and spend a few dollars there to help Bali dogs as well? (Donations can be made via their website using various methods including Paypal Freewebs.com/balidogs)
