founder and director of Bali animal Welfare Association (BAWA) is dedicated to save all the animals in distress, particularly in the world's oldest and most diverse of the canine race; dog Bali.
Tell us about your background and what led you to Bali.
I was born in Japan and raised in the United States. I came to Bali in 1973 on the way to India. I attribute most of my studies at the experience and lessons gained through traveling across Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Southeast Asia, trade in handicrafts , precious stones and jewelry. I spent 16 years practicing silence, rigorous meditation Vipassana in India, where we have taken vows not to kill any living being, not to lie or steal. But it was the dog that determined Bali Bali was to be my home.
Have you always had a love of animals?
Yes! As a child I wanted to be a vet, but now realize that I would not do a good vet that I hate to see animals suffering in any way. In Africa, I studied animal migration. I always felt that we have much to learn from all forms of life, especially the animals that we live in the middle.
Janice Girardi
How was born BAWA?
I saved a white dog Bali Kintamani there are 33, who was tied up and suffering. I asked the owner how much to buy the dog which he responded to 100 dollars. I went down to him ten dollars and took the dog home. In subsequent years I have saved many dogs in Bali. In 2004, the law restricting the import of dogs to Indonesia was abolished, which led to many new problems.
With foreign breed dogs came from new diseases, and the pure strain of dog Bali, after thousands of years, has been breeding with other species. The dog population has increased and there was a lot more unwanted street dogs. There was a lot more traffic and less access to water. The dogs were purchased and abandoned or left in cages and abused; we can see every day in Bali. We started picking this abuse, injure the dogs and bring them to Denpasar. People call us when they found the dogs at risk. We have seen horrible cases of abuse and neglect. BAWA is born of the need.
Rabies has become a new question here in 2009. How BAWA not address the issue then, and what services are available now for rabies?
BAWA developed a pilot program in 2009 rage once the dog vaccines have become available on the island. Until then, the government has relied on dogs to kill, but it did not work and rabies spread throughout the island. Due to the success of the pilot program, BAWA was able to work on the island until May 2011 and has succeeded in reducing canine rabies by 86 percent after the first program compared to the previous year. Vaccinate at least 70 percent of all dogs will establish herd immunity required to eliminate rabies. Vaccinated dogs can actually help eliminate the spread of rabies that these dogs are able to drive an infected dog (once a dog is infected, it always dies within 10 days). The answer is to continue vaccination until rabies is eliminated. BAWA has a 24/7 hotline for people who need help or have seen a sick or suspect dog. BAWA train staff who collect sick animals and advising people on medical assistance and procedure.
What are the biggest challenges faced by dogs in Bali?
Before 2004, we had mostly pure dogs Bali, the oldest breed of dog in the world according to genetic scientists. They were just dogs of medium-sized town that have been part of Balinese life and traditions for centuries. More recently, we have seen a resurgence in popularity of imported breeds which encouraged the creation of factories cruel puppies and backyard breeders. Pit bull fighting is gaining popularity, dog meat is a commodity, and the incidence of new infections and diseases like rabies is increasing. The slaughter of dogs by mass poisoning or worse also takes a heavy toll on the survival of the dog Bali. We lose purebred.
We need to preserve and promote these indigenous dogs and it is possible as long as urgent measures are taken through a vaccination program and robust education. Our method of canine vaccination mass worked when BAWA managed the vaccination program throughout the island until mid-2011; experience and expertise from around the world shows that the slaughter is cruel and ineffective. We also need the right to export healthy dogs Bali to other countries to protect and preserve the purebred dog Bali. It is illegal to Bali to do at that time.
What other services does offer BAWA?
We have a 24-hour hotline for rescue and emergency treatment. We vaccinate, sterilize, rehabilitate, adopt, educate and advocate for the welfare of animals.
Tell me about your educational programs.
Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) and children
We go to public schools and international schools and teach about being respectful and caring of dogs. We teach children the five concepts of freedom for all animals:
1) Freedom from hunger and thirst - water and food
2) Freedom discomfort - proper shelter
3) freedom from pain, injury and disease - prevention and medical treatment
4) freedom to express normal behavior - the adjustment to the
5) freedom from fear and distress - assess conditions and treatment
We teach children how to avoid being bitten. We tell them to avoid dogs they do not know, but to remain quiet and still when a dog approaches. Dogs can feel our emotions and respond accordingly. It is necessary to educate young people about the value of dogs and respect. We also work with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) on a very successful community involvement program working in the villages.
You do all this while maintaining a full time job with your jewelry business, Janice Girardi Designs?
Yes, it is full enough! BAWA has 60 employees and the jewelry company has over 100 people, and many have worked for the company for over 20 years. Traveling the world, I am able to work with some of the best stone cutters and jewelers. I love ancient Balinese techniques and even if it is becoming a lost art, we continue to favor and encourage these designs. We now have a new jewelry line "paw print animal" BAWA sold in stores in Bali and the world to help raise funds and awareness. We have just opened a jewelery outlet in Centro Manado, where our shop will help promote the welfare of animals.
What is one of your favorite pastimes
The weekend I take my dogs to the river valley a long hike - it is our quality family time! I also like to cook for myself and my dogs. A dog loves us all surprise by jumping from the outside of the house through the kitchen window and over the counter, often overthrowing chopped vegetables on the floor!
Thank you, Janice! To get in touch, email: info@bawabali.com