Animal Shelters in Indonesia: Challenges & Hopes Toward Animal Welfare

By: drh.Mikeu Paujiah Mur

In recent years, more and more people in Indonesia have felt moved to build shelters to house abandoned animals. They come from various backgrounds—volunteers, small communities, even individuals who feel called to help suffering animals.

However, in the spirit of rescuing, one important question often goes unnoticed: Do shelters truly guarantee animal welfare, or are they merely saving animals?

Learning from Research: Caring Is Not Enough, It Must Be Proper

A recent scientific study (2021) published in the Journal of the South African Veterinary Association observed the condition of owned dogs in low-income communities in Indonesia. Although the context was not shelters, the situation was very similar to many under-resourced shelters.

The study found that:

  • Many dogs were left roaming free without supervision or fencing.

  • Feeding was only once a day and with leftover human food.

  • No vaccination or medical care was provided.

  • Owners loved their dogs, but did not know how to care for them properly.

The same thing can happen in shelters—good intentions are not enough without education and clear operational standards.

Why Does This Matter for Shelters?

Because the fundamental principle of shelters is not only to rescue animals, but also to ensure that their lives after being rescued are better than before.

This is why operational guidelines for shelters based on animal welfare are so important.

Shelter Welfare Standards from the ASV Guidelines

According to The Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters (2010), there are 5 key pillars shelters must fulfill to guarantee animal welfare:

  1. Nutrition ➤ Animals must receive proper food and clean water according to their specific needs.

  2. Appropriate physical environment ➤ Includes ventilation, lighting, temperature, sanitation, and adequate space for movement.

  3. Preventive and therapeutic health care ➤ Includes vaccination, parasite control, sterilization, and routine medical care.

  4. Behavioral and mental stimulation ➤ Providing enrichment, play, safe social interaction, and opportunities for natural behaviors.

  5. Stress and fear management ➤ The environment should be designed to reduce stress, including noise control, consistent routines, and gentle human interaction.

ASV emphasizes that: “Every animal in a shelter has the right to care that supports its physical and psychological well-being, from the moment it enters until the moment it leaves.”

Practical Guidelines for Responsible Shelters

  1. Do not exceed capacity. Better fewer but well cared for, than many but suffering.

  2. Create daily SOPs. Including feeding schedules, cleaning cages, and health observation.

  3. Provide isolation space. New animals should be quarantined before being mixed.

  4. Record all health histories. This helps during adoption or follow-up care.

  5. Involve veterinarians or veterinary students for regular collaboration.

  6. Engage the community. Education, visits, open adoption, or becoming foster parents (temporary caregivers).

Conclusion: Shelter = A New Hope

A shelter is not just a “parking lot” for abandoned animals. It is a place of recovery, a place of education, and a place to find new hope—for both animals and humans.

By combining the spirit of rescue with true principles of animal welfare, we can ensure that the mission of saving lives truly ends with happiness, not just a transfer of suffering.

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