Bali's stray dogs find a friend in Yudisthira foundation

Yudha Bantono, Veterinarian, Denpasar

A dog is a man's best friend. That's how it works for most Balinese, who treat their dogs like members of their families. But how many dogs can be sheltered in one house? Five is the most.

Bali has thousands of dogs and, unfortunately, not all of them are lucky enough to have masters. Many are stranded throughout the city's streets and alleys and the island's rural and urban areas. Dogs can be seen anywhere around housing complexes, traditional markets, beaches and main roads.

Nobody cares about these street dogs. Many of them are hungry and sick. Lack of food and hygiene has made their condition miserable.

It's shameful for Bali, which is a world-famous tourist destination, because it fails to properly care for these unfortunate dogs.

Yudisthira Swarga Foundation, a non-profit organization in Bali's capital of Denpasar, is committed to taking care of the strays.

The foundation, established in l998, is comprised of local community members, veterinarians, volunteers and members of Udayana University's School of Veterinary.

The foundation's name is taken from the famous Mahabharata epic. Yudisthira is the eldest of Pandu's five sons: Yudisthira, Bima, Arjuna and the twins Nakula and Sadewa.

In the Pandawa Seda episode, describing the death of Pandawa, Yudisthira plans to purify himself by climbing the holy mountain Mahameru. On the way to the mountain he meets a dog, which finally becomes his faithful companion.

On the Mahameru peak, Yudisthira meets Bhatara Indra, god of the wind. Bhatara Indra demands that Yudisthira enter Swargaloka (heaven) but he refuses because he is not allowed to take the dog to heaven.

Realizing that Yudisthira is a man with a pure heart and kindness, the dog is suddenly transformed into a god.

"We were impressed by what Yudisthira did to his dog," said Listriani, the foundation's health coordinator.

Since becoming established, the foundation has committed itself to taking care of abandoned dogs. Among its programs are the street program, field clinic and visiting vet.

The street program is conducted regularly to catch stray dogs and cure their diseases.

"Many dogs are suffering acute skin diseases, heart-related and respiratory problems," she said. Some dogs need special medical treatment and even surgery to cure their wounds and illnesses.

The field clinic program is conducted in beach areas and banjar (community villages). In every program, the foundation's team sterilizes more than 25 dogs to control the dog population.

"We use very simple medical instruments to undertake the program. Yet, we never feel discouraged," added Listriani. "What we need is compassion and a little help from donors to provide us with the necessary funds to help these poor creatures."

The foundation currently receives a small amount of funding from volunteers, donors and other foundations from overseas.

"We still need more money and assistance from those who are concerned about the fate of these poor dogs," she said.

In addition to the field clinics and street programs, the foundation has another interesting activity, community education.

It has been actively providing information on how to take care of puppies and dogs to kindergarten, elementary and junior high school students. Children are taught how to feed a dog, bathe it and give medical help when necessary.

"So far, we have helped 4,000 dogs. We will continue our program to achieve a Bali where all dogs are clean and healthy," said Komang Sutiati, the foundation's field coordinator.

The visiting vet program is a significant activity aimed at enhancing professionalism among Indonesian veterinarians. The program involves local and international veterinarians. These foreign experts are dedicated individuals who come to Bali at their own expense. They usually work with students at various field clinic programs. They share knowledge with local counterparts and students on modern veterinary techniques.

For Yudisthira Swarga Foundation members, curing dogs is much easier than seeing them abandoned and dying in the streets.