Bali Dog Orphanage Volunteer loves Results

Ten years ago, New Zealander Alanah Dalton was holidaying in Ubud when a poster outside a shop front that said “I Love Bali Dogs” caught her eye. “I love animals, so I stopped in and discovered it was an orphanage for street dogs in Bali,” Dalton says. “I told myself one day I would come and work here.”

That day finally came earlier this year when Dalton, who is originally from Christchurch, relocated to Ubud. She now volunteers fulltime with Bali Dog Adoption and Rehabilitation Centre (BARC), a non-profit adoption and rehabilitation centre that’s rescued more than 4000 street dogs in Bali.

BARC cares for more than 300 rescued dogs, providing veterinary care, food and love. BARC also runs an education program to teach Balinese children how to treat animals with love and what to do if they find a sick street dog.

“We’re totally dependent on donations,” Dalton says. “We get a lot of Aussie tourists who bring collars, blankets, dog treats and medicated shampoo. Others just come down and spend the day playing with puppies, washing them, taking dogs for walks and sometimes even taking them their holiday villas for a few nights. It helps the dogs socialise and improves their chance of getting adopted by a family in Bali.

“Every day I wake up in the morning and can’t wait to come to work and see the dogs. We invest so much into them, and when I see them get adopted and go off to their forever homes, I can’t tell you how happy it makes me feel. It’s true love.”

Original article by Ian Lloyd Neubauer, Herald Sun, September 19, 2016.