Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Bali Animal Welfare Association! BAWA is a small, non-profit organization whose people work hard every day to reduce suffering for Bali’s animals and give them a better future.

BAWA relies on daily volunteers (including weekends) to exercise and socialize the many animals who live in our Ubud area facilities. The hands-on help of volunteers prepares rescued animals for adoption.

The minimum commitment for BAWA volunteers is five dates in 4 - 8 hour shifts (does not have to be 5 days in a row). It takes several days to become accustomed to the routine, climate, and conditions, and the longer you stay, the more rewarding your experience will be. 

Anyone coming into contact with animals in Bali should have anti-rabies vaccinations. Exceptions can be made on a limited basis.

Volunteering with animal welfare in developing countries can be physically challenging. You need to be in pretty good physical shape to withstand the nature of the work in a hot and humid environment; a strong stomach also helps. 

Volunteers are encouraged to drink several liters of water daily and to bring a reusable bottle. Bali suffers significantly from the inability to recycle single-use plastic bottles (which are available everywhere). These bottles often wind up in waterways, getting washed out to sea, or burned which creates toxic smoke.

Volunteering can take an emotional toll as well, so you need to be prepared for this. If you love animals so much that you cannot bear to see them suffer, then being a BAWA volunteer may not be the right choice for you. But, if you love animals so much you want to help them through their suffering, then this is the right volunteer choice for you.

It is essential to remember that Indonesia is a developing country, and BAWA is a not-for-profit organization. As a small charity with limited resources and funding, we manage as best we can. 

BAWA volunteers must love animals, be independent, hardworking, friendly, helpful, and flexible. It would be best if you also were open-minded, patient, and ready to go in and do what needs doing.

Your volunteer location will be determined based on the dates you will volunteer, your rabies vaccination status, and the existing volunteer schedule. 

We greatly value your time, energy, and flexibility, and kindly ask that you please honor the day and time commitments you will make to volunteer. 

BAWA VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT:

• I wish to offer my services to BAWA and understand there is no payment, reimbursement, supply of meals, clothing, materials, and supply of transportation or compensation for any expenses incurred.
• I understand that any information provided to me by BAWA staff regarding transport, accommodation, expenses, living in Bali etc. is given in good faith and is to the best knowledge of the team at the time.
• I understand that BAWA does not take any responsibility for any loss or injury incurred by me whilst I am volunteering at BAWA. This includes the cost of any post exposure rabies vaccination treatments that may be required.
• Unless otherwise agreed upon, my primary role will be to exercise the dogs, socialize the animals, encouraging them to trust people and learn to walk on a leash.
• I agree to work within the established guidelines, procedures and protocols of BAWA at all times.
• I accept that BAWA is a no kill shelter and that my own beliefs may not always align with those of BAWA.
• I will handle all of the BAWA animals in a gentle and safe manner. 
• I will use my common sense and compassion with the animals. 
• I understand that Indonesia is a developing country. I recognize that the majority of locals are Muslim or Balinese Hindu and will conduct myself in a respectful, culturally sensitive manner at all times. 
• I will calmly and respectfully advocate for animal welfare practices in Bali. I will not engage in arguments with local people regarding their treatment of animals. I understand that such arguments bring BAWA's efforts into disrepute. 
• I recognize that BAWA staff have protocols to follow. I will comply with staff instructions without obstructing their work or causing harm to the animals to the best of my ability. 
• I will report any problems or issues to a BAWA staff member.
• I will not speak on behalf of BAWA in any given situation unless requested to do so by BAWA management. 
• I will not portray any other animal welfare organization within Bali in a negative manner during my tenure as a volunteer with BAWA. 
• I will not take illegal drugs or consume alcohol (or be under the influence of these substances) while on BAWA premises, prior to my shift or when representing BAWA.
• I will not remove any property of BAWA from the premises of BAWA without written permission from the Founder of BAWA.
• I understand that confidentiality must be maintained regarding records of BAWA; I also understand that if I breach confidentiality I will be terminated from the volunteer program and may have legal action taken against me.

Volunteers should wear modest clothing within the BAWA dress code which can get sweaty and completely dog-ified! BAWA volunteer shirts are provided to those who commit to helping more than five days. 

BAWA VOLUNTEER DRESS CODE:

• I will wear clothing appropriate for rigorous activity, inclement weather and hands-on experiences with animals
• I understand that a modest form of dress is required out of respect for the local culture
• I will not wear clothing that promotes alcohol or drugs.
• I will not wear clothing with crude slogans (including profanity) or pictures on clothing, nor clothing that may be deemed offensive by a specific group of people

TOPS

• must fully cover your torso (no stomach, lower back, sides of the upper body nor cleavage showing)
• modest singlets/tanktops accepted
• If I am provided with a BAWA shirt, I will wear it as often as possible while volunteering

BOTTOMS

• pants are preferred to protect against cuts, scrapes and bites
• long shorts are acceptable, short shorts are not (length is best close to the knee)

SHOES

• sturdy and comfortable walking shoes, suitable for walking in uneven, muddy conditions and which you don't mind getting dirty

Volunteer Term Length

The more time volunteers spend with BAWA, the more rewarding the experience. 

Many of the animals under our care need rapport built in order to learn to trust. Infrequent visitors or drop-in visits do not benefit distressed animals. 

The minimum volunteer commitment is five days. Full time volunteers preferred. 

Full time volunteers assist 8 hours with breaks at your leisure. Part time volunteers assist 4 hours. 

While we greatly appreciate your time and energy and are flexible, we do kindly request that you honor the time commitments you've made to volunteer based on the information you will enter below. Volunteer schedules are created in coordination with the information you provide to us.

LIABILITY WAIVER: You will be asked to sign a hard copy of this form on your first day of volunteering. 

I declare that I release Yayasan BAWA from any liability for injury that may occur while on BAWA premises or while taking part in any activities organised by or with BAWA.

I also release Yayasan BAWA from any liability for illness/ill health that may occur in the future due to any incident that occurred during time spent on BAWA premises or during participation in any activities organised by or with BAWA.

I release Yayasan BAWA from liability for any damage that may occur to my personal effects/equipment while on BAWA premises or while taking part in any activities organised by or with BAWA.

I acknowledge that I am aware that if I suffer a dog bite while on BAWA premises, or while taking part in any activities organised by or with BAWA, I must seek immediate post‐exposure rabies vaccinations at my own expense.

I acknowledge that I have been made aware of the current shortage of human rabies vaccination stocks on the island of Bali and that I may be required to travel at my own expense to receive post‐exposure rabies treatment.