Rabies is a zoonotic disease that has become endemic in Bali and has claimed many victims. Since the implementation of the mass vaccination policy, the number of rabies cases in Bali has decreased significantly. Denpasar City Agriculture Service Animal Health Sector has collaborated with foundations engaged in animal welfare in making Denpasar free of rabies for the last 4 years.
The strategy undertaken by the City of Denpasar to combat rabies is not only limited to vaccination. It is undeniable that vaccination is the most effective way to deal with rabies, but the habit of people releasing their dogs and the large population of stray dogs are separate obstacles in handling rabies. The Denpasar Agriculture Office then came up with a rabies vaccination programme coupled with mass sterilization, targeting stray dogs. The aim is to significantly reduce the population of dogs as rabies carriers. From 2017 to 2020, the Denpasar Agricultural Service has collaborated with animal welfare foundations to sterilized 5,000 dogs.
With the high public interest and support from various parties, it is hoped that mass sterilization and vaccination activities between the government and the Foundation can continue so that other areas in Bali can reduce the number of rabies, such as Denpasar City, towards rabies-free Bali.
About the Seva Bhuana Foundation
The Seva Bhuana Foundation is a local Balinese foundation engaged in animal welfare. The Seva Bhuana Foundation was formed with the awareness of its founders to create a sustainable educational program for young people. Starting with forming a small community that focuses on Balinese dogs, now the Seva Bhuana Foundation has been inaugurated in 2016 by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights as an official foundation in Indonesia
The vision of the Seva Bhuana Foundation is to raise public awareness of the importance of harmonious relationships with animals and nature. Meanwhile, the mission of the Seva Bhuana Foundation is to sterilize local cats especially poor people, sterilise rabies red-zone areas around Bali, work with the government and residents as well in-depth education for animal welfare and environmental health.
