BAWA
BaliAbout
Fall in love volunteering with Bali’s rescue dogs and cats for an unforgettable holiday experience. If you love animals and want to have a truly rewarding and unforgettable experience during your time in Bali then volunteer to help care for street dogs and cats on the outskirts of Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali. Surrounded by lush green forests and beautiful rice paddies whilst being within easy reach of Bali’s famed beaches and surf spots, your time with BAWA is guaranteed to be filled with lots of love, affection and happy memories that will last a lifetime!
Your days will be spent socialising animals through play, walking the dogs and ensuring the animals are well cared for and fed. As many of the animals are likely to be rehomed to families with young children, one of the most important aspects of your work with BAWA will be to help socialise the dogs and help prepare them for play. Many of the dogs at the centre are very affectionate and will all want to compete for your attention. Whilst it may sound daunting when you first arrive at the centre the dogs will soon settle down and you’ll be smitten before you know it!
Shifts range from half day (either morning or afternoon) or full shifts (all day with one hour lunch), when you're not playing with the animals you’ll have time to discover Ubuds many shops, bars and restaurants and the incredible scenery the island has to offer.
During your placement you will be given full support by the BAWA team and a veterinary nurse will be on hand for any animal health issues. Animals cared for by BAWA have had their initial vaccines and will have been through a quarantine process. It is strongly recommended that volunteers be pre-vaccinated against Rabies and be up to date with Tetanus boosters.
Quick Facts
Experience or requirements – No previous experience or specific skills are required, just a positve attitude and a love of animals. All volunteers must be over 18, fully vaccinated against rabies and have appropriate insurance
Minimum Commitment – 5 Days
Working day: Any day of the week, working from 9.30am - 4.30pm
Price – Free, although volunteers are encouraged to purchase BAWA T-Shirt or other item from the charity shop
Features
- Free to volunteer
- Close to nature
Pricing
Free with purchase from charity shop
Your Accommodation
Accommodation is not included with your volunteering experience and cannot be offered at this time
About The Area
Bali is an incredible island that offers something for everyone with mountains, beaches and stunning scenery. As Indonesia’s only predominantly Hindu Island there is a wealth of culture, temples and history. Great for nature lovers, the Central Highlands and North Bali has vast forests and astonishing waterfalls whilst the south of the island offers beautiful beaches with excellent surf.
The popular bustling tourist area of Ubud, located in Central Bali, is a must visit for anyone interested in Balinese culture and arts. Surrounded by forests and rice fields, intricate and beautiful carvings adorn almost every doorway and the sounds of Gamelan music can often be heard from the many temples in town. Catch one of the traditional Balinese Dances in the evenings and eat out at some of the best, and most romantic, restaurants on the island. Ubud offers the perfect mix of culture, shopping and nature.
We know you’ll love spending time with the dogs at BAWA but when you’re not volunteering there’s plenty to do in Ubud and surrounding areas. Here’s a few of our favourites to get you started:
Explore the many beautiful rice terraces and forests Bali has to offer. Tegallalang and Jatiluwih rice terraces will blow you away!
Discover beautiful coral reefs, tropical fish and giant manta rays with snorkelling and diving trips
Take a trip inland to see some of the most sacred temples on the island, we recommend Besaki and Lempuyang for stunning views of Mount Agung
Spend an evening watching a traditional Balinese Dance in Ubud, especially the Barong and Cak Cak dances for a jaw dropping experience
Get inspired in Ubuds many museums and art galleries and pick up a bargain in the art market or head to Mas for intricate wood carvings
Extend your trip and head up into the mountains to be surrounded by nature at Munduk Moding Plantation or Bali Eco Stay
Map
Activities and Nearby Adventures
- Cultural Activities
- Walking
- Volcanoes
- Shopping
- Island Hopping
- Waterfalls Nearby
- Surfing
- Museums & Art Galleries
- Bars and Nightlife
Meet the hosts
Founded in 2007 but Janice Girardi, Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) is a non-profit organisation that works to protect and improve the lives of all Balinese animals in need. Working directly in the community staff and volunteers help provide food and medical assistance with emergency response teams and vaccination programmes as well as humane population control.
How To Get There
Ubud - Located only about 40km from Ngurah Rai International (Denpasar) Airport however traffic can be slow and congested around the area so expect the journey to be around 1-2 hours.
Travelling with a private driver or taxi is inexpensive and is the most convenient way to travel. BAWA can provide you with contact details of a reliable and friendly driver who is familiar with the placement locations or recommendations for moped hire during your stay together with your booking confirmation.
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