Y11 Felice Law - Bali, Indonesia
My CAS Challenge week in Bali brought me face-to-face with the drastic problem of neglected stray dogs and the severe lack of animal welfare faced by countless animals.
Interacting with the caretakers and hands-on experiences with the rescued animals pushed me out of my comfort zone. At one of the safehouses, I met a dog with the same name as me. It was very upsetting to know that she was abandoned and got into a car accident that broke her bones and gave her permanent scars. Many other dogs went through similar experiences, but their positive attitude towards life is especially inspiring.
A lifelong lesson I learnt is the philosophy of “Adopt, don't shop”. It is so important for people to move beyond the consumerist desire for a perfect puppy and embrace the value of an animal regardless of its origin or past circumstances. Countless animals have lived lives of neglect and abuse, but with the dedicated rescue efforts made by animal charities, such as ACT for Bali Dogs, their lives have been transformed and they have received the love and care they deserve.
My week in Bali forced me to recognize the ethical consequences of human choices regarding animal welfare. Pushing past the initial emotional difficulties of the safehouse environment allowed me to develop both practical communication skills and a mature global perspective. This experience transformed my understanding of advocacy, proving that meaningful service requires stepping past discomfort to support vulnerable communities.