Read the latest Report in Animal Welfare by the animal welfare organization WORLD ANIMAL PROTECTION looking into Bali and Lombok. As a reaction to this report, we have decided to not list animal entertainment venues and experiences anymore.
Some insights into the famous Bali Dog, and how you can help stray dogs and cats in Bali
ExploreIt is very very hard to keep animals, wild animals and treat them in a way where they don’t suffer, as the report from World Animap Protection has highlighted. And to make a business with animal entertainment is even harder. It might be easy to blame the people starting and running these businesses. And yes, they are responsible for their actions. Yet it also comes down to the consumer – ultimately us. The moment we pay for tickets and show, we support this industry. While some entertainment businesses are better than others, it’s hard to really know if one is not an expert, what is really going on with these animals.
Bali is no different from many countries in the world, where animals are mistreated for the sake of entertaining people and making profits. This sad phenomenon is widespread in developing countries, but it’s also seen all over the world. Zoos, circuses, and animal parks are very often at the core of the problem. While also many Balinese households still put birds and all other sorts of wild animals into cages unfortunately, and there are plenty of businesses and markets, trading with poorly kept animals.
As a visitor to Bali, you have the choice. The power to decide which establishments and activities you visit and therefore support. A business that does not have customers will either change their approach or has to shut down. IN response to the research done by World Animal Protection Bali.com decided that we will not list, the animal entertainment establishments. We are aware that some establishments are doing their best, have good intentions and feed families and have life animals they need to feed too. But we are not experts enough to know what is what. So we decided to withdraw completely.
SOme things are very clearly violating animal welfare practices. There is no way to keep dolphins in captivity in a proper way. Any direct contact with and petting of big cats are also by definition wrong. A dancing monkey might be funny for the simple mind, but the suffering of the animal is real and constant. Breakfast with an Orang Utan? We are sure that’s not what this magnificent creature really enjoys. And riding an elephant has been widely recognised now, as practice one should not support anymore.
Again, we are no animal police and no experts in this field. We did not and cannot visit all the places that make a living by using animals. Therefore, this is a subjective and personal decision of the people behind this website. Every visitor to Bali is free to decide on their own, what to do and not to do and see whether they would treat their dog or cat at home like that.
If you become aware of any businesses that make money on animals’ suffering, please feel free to contact us.
