Bali's stray dogs find a friend in Yudisthira foundation

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.