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Animal welfare in coastal communities

A healthy ecosystem
starts on land.

Bali is home to the Bali Heritage Dogs – a unique but endangered dog breed – as well as many other animals that are part of the coastal communities' ecosystem.

However, uncontrolled breeding, diseases, and lack of veterinary care jeopardize not only the animals themselves but also human health and the balance of the environment.

Therefore, We Do OCEAN focuses on sustainable programs implemented in collaboration with major animal welfare organizations such as Bali Pet Crusaders (BPC) and Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA).

Through spay and neuter programs, education, and close cooperation with local communities, we help maintain healthy animal populations and reduce conflicts between humans and animals.
In doing so, we protect not only the animals but also the entire ecosystem of the coastal regions.

In Bali, over 500,000 dogs roam the streets
– along with an unknown number of cats.

For many families in Bali, spaying and neutering is financially unattainable. Yet, there is no lack of compassion – on the contrary. Many people take in animals in need, feed stray dogs daily, or care for the animals in their neighborhoods as best as they can.

We Do OCEAN supports them by enabling free spay and neuter services in collaboration with our partners!

Rescuing a dog may not change the world,
but for that one dog, the world changes forever.

Our Focus -
STERILISATION

Twice a year, in collaboration with Bali Pet Crusaders (BPC), we organise free sterilisation days for the local community.

Dog and cat owners can bring their pets to be operated on and cared for by experienced veterinarians – including post-operative care. On average, we help 40–50 animals per event. At the same time, the government provides free rabies vaccinations. Thanks to the support of the mayor’s office and local religious leaders, we reach many people and actively contribute to a healthier, more sustainable animal population.

Each sterilisation costs around €20 – and is funded entirely by donations. With your support, we can help even more animals and create lasting change!

Direct help -
LOCAL ON-SITE

We never leave an animal behind! Every day, we care for stray and beach dogs, providing them with food and helping with parasite infestations or minor illnesses. But often, that’s not enough – time and again, we come across injured or vulnerable animals in urgent need of medical treatment.

We work closely with the Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA), which supports us with medication and provides professional help in emergencies. Together, we ensure that sick and injured animals are not overlooked and get the chance to live a healthy life.

Our work is only possible with support – every donation helps animals directly on the ground!

You want to help?-
ANIMAL SPONSORSHIPS

Not every stray dog or cat can be rehomed – but there is a solution!

We find local families willing to take in an animal, care for it, and provide a safe and loving home. To make this possible, the families receive monthly support for food, care, and medical treatment. This way, the animals not only gain protection but also a dedicated caregiver and a stable environment.

By sponsoring from far, you can protect an animal for just €20 per month. This not only helps the animals but also strengthens the community and fosters a sense of responsibility for treating them with respect.

Become a sponsor and give an animal a second chance!

A female dog and her offspring can give birth to 67,000 puppies in just six years. A cat and her offspring can give birth to 370,000 kittens in seven years.

Bali Pet Crusaders

ANIMAL WELFARE

We Do OCEAN

We provide answers

Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Welfare in Bali

The Bali Heritage Dog is a remarkable and ancient breed, possibly one of the oldest in the world. With their distinctive long, pointed ears, high hind legs, and short coats, these dogs are a familiar sight on the streets of Bali.

Genetic research by the University of California, Davis, has shown that the lineage of today’s Bali dogs began in Southeast Asia around 7,000 years ago, descending from the grey wolf. Some studies even suggest that the breed dates back as far as 12,000 years, making it older than other primitive breeds such as the Australian dingo, the New Guinea singing dog, and the African wild dog.

Between 2000 and 2003, scientists analysed the DNA of 3,000 native Bali dogs and found that they possess one of the richest genetic diversities among dogs worldwide. This diversity makes their genome particularly valuable to science.

Bali is home to two unique native dog breeds: the Bali Heritage Dog and the Highland Kintamani. The Bali Heritage Dog has been bred in purity on the island for at least 2,500 years, possibly even longer, while the Kintamani likely emerged as a subtype. The rich DNA of the Bali Heritage Dog results in a wide range of colours and markings. They are known for their beauty, affectionate nature, and strong character. These dogs tend to roam in groups, are territorial, and highly intelligent.

Although often perceived as strays, many of these dogs have close ties to Balinese families who consider them part of their community and provide them with basic care. However, the pure Bali Heritage Dog population is under threat due to crossbreeding with imported breeds, mass culling, and the dog meat trade. Since the lifting of the import ban on pedigree dogs in 2004, the population of pure Bali Heritage Dogs has declined by 80%.

We Do OCEAN is committed to protecting and preserving these unique dogs, ensuring that they remain a living symbol of Bali’s rich heritage for generations to come.

[Source: baliwildlife.com]

Whether long, short, or barely there at all – the tails of Bali’s cats are as diverse as the island itself! We can’t help but smile when tourists ask if Balinese people cut off their cats’ tails. The truth, however, is far more fascinating:

Cats are not native to Bali; they were originally brought to the island by traders and travellers. Over time, many of these cats developed shorter or missing tails due to genetic mutations. This phenomenon is common across Southeast Asia and has nothing to do with human interference. A widespread myth suggests that angry housewives cut off cats’ tails, but in reality, this trait is simply a genetic peculiarity found in many parts of Asia, including China and Japan.

This genetic variation means that many cats in Bali are born with stubby tails. However, this does not affect their daily lives – they are just as agile and well-balanced as their long-tailed counterparts.

So, next time you see a Balinese cat with a short or missing tail, you’ll know it’s just another fascinating aspect of the island’s rich biodiversity and history!

[Source: tangerfiv.com]

Yes – and at the same time, they are only part of the solution.

Sterilisation is the only effective and sustainable way to reduce the suffering of stray dogs and cats in the long term. Without it, the population continues to grow uncontrollably, with each litter bringing more animals into a life of survival on the streets – often sick, hungry, and unprotected.

But it’s not just about preventing unwanted puppies and kittens. Sterilised animals are healthier, display more stable social behaviour, and live longer. Less competition means fewer fights, fewer injuries, and fewer diseases spreading within packs and colonies.

At the same time, sterilisation alone is not enough. Community involvement and education are essential. Only when people understand why sterilisation is important and have long-term access to these services can real change happen.

That’s why we combine our sterilisation programmes with education, medical care, and direct support for local communities. The goal is not to “eliminate” stray dogs and cats but to work with communities to create a healthy balance – for animals, people, and the entire ecosystem that connects them.

No! We Do OCEAN is not an animal shelter. Even though the number of animals we have personally taken in has long exceeded any limit, our mission is different.

We are committed to empowering people in local villages to care for their animals independently. That’s why our focus is on sterilisations – the only sustainable solution to prevent unwanted litters and reduce animal suffering. Our capacity to take in animals has long been exhausted.

But instead of desperately collecting more and more animals, we focus on where we can make a real difference: with the people. We support those who deeply love stray dogs and cats, feed them daily, and do their best – but often lack the means to provide medical care or sterilisation. By strengthening these communities, we ensure that fewer animals suffer and that every animal born has a real chance at a good life.

At the same time, this approach helps protect the entire ecosystem of coastal communities. Healthier animals mean fewer disease transmissions, fewer conflicts with humans, and a more harmonious coexistence. And ultimately, this also contributes to the protection of our oceans – because a healthy environment starts on land.

First of all: Thank you for not looking away!

Finding an injured or sick animal can be overwhelming – but there are concrete steps you can take to help.

1️⃣ Safety first – for both you and the animal. Approach cautiously, avoiding sudden movements to prevent scaring the animal or triggering a defensive reaction.

2️⃣ Assess the condition – Is the animal injured, dehydrated, or extremely weak? If possible, take photos or videos to help veterinarians or animal welfare organisations assess the situation.

3️⃣ Call for help – Local animal welfare organisations or veterinarians may be able to assist. On Bali, several groups respond to emergencies – save important contacts on your phone if you live here or plan to stay for a while.

4️⃣ Do not give medication on your own! – Many human medications are toxic to animals or dangerous in the wrong dosage. Even flea or deworming treatments can do more harm than good to a weakened animal. If urgent care is needed, try to consult a vet or an experienced organisation.

5️⃣ If no help is available – If professional assistance isn’t immediately accessible, you can try moving the animal to a safer place, providing water, or offering basic first aid. But remember: Your own safety comes first.

6️⃣ Support long-term solutions – One-time rescues are important, but sustainable change is even more effective. This is where We Do OCEAN makes a difference: Through sterilisation programmes, education initiatives, and direct support for local communities, we work to improve the lives of stray dogs and cats in the long run. Every donation, every volunteer effort, and every conversation about this issue can help create change.

Stray animals fight for survival every day – but together, we can ease their suffering.

Stray dogs and cats struggle to survive every day – but we can help. With your support, we provide vital sterilisations, medical care, and community education.

Every donation makes a difference. Join us in making an impact!

MANY HANDS DO LIGHT WORK

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