hi, my name's kate. i moved to bali hoping to adopt a dog and help animals in need, and for the past few years i've been doing my best. i now care for 5 dogs and 1 cat, each with their own rescue journey.

WHY I'M FUNDRAISING...

until now, i've done everything on my own, with guidance from rescuers i admire. i live a simple life, and i've never had loads of money to spend on saving animals, but i've always done what felt right and followed my heart. even when circumstances haven't been perfect, i give all that i can. because when i see an animal in need, helping them doesn't feel like a choice. they all deserve a second chance.

we've recently moved into a safer home, and things are much more stable now for me and my dogs.

while we're no longer in an emergency housing situation, the day to day costs of food, care, and keeping them safe are ongoing.

any support helps me continue giving them the life they deserve.

thank you for supporting us

******

THE REALITY OF DOGS IN BALI...

i know many people see bali's stray dogs on the street and beach and think they're meant to live there, that it's normal and accepted... but the truth is heartbreaking.

it's extremely common for puppies to be dumped in bags, thrown in rivers or left to die in ditches. previously owned dogs are abandoned at the beach when they're no longer wanted. imported dogs used for breeding are discarded when they can't produce puppies anymore to be sold.

dogs in bali are victims of hit and runs, left paralysed, suffering from cancer, starvation and untreated wounds, mutilated or poisoned for just existing - helpless and alone. strays and even family pets can be stolen and illegally sold into the meat trade. rescue centres are full and overwhelmed, working extremely hard, but far too often, no one is there until it's too late.

most dogs aren't sterilised or vaccinated, which leads to more puppies, more strays and the spread of deadly diseases. countless dogs everywhere desperately need skin treatment. even dogs with owners aren't always properly cared for, and can live in tiny cages their whole lives, completely neglected. sometimes families don't have the knowledge or funds to do what's best, other times there's simply a lack of care for their pets. thankfully, there are organisations offering support with free vaccinations, sterilisation and guidance. but even with these efforts, many dogs are still left without help.

it feels like a neverending cycle, but a difference can be made to so many dogs lives, even just one rescue at a time.

that's why, when i feel called to help, i have to do something. this is my purpose, and what i'm trying to do for my six rescues.

******

MEET MY RESCUES...

BUBU was rescued from the street as a puppy by my best friend. when we moved in together, it felt like i'd known bubu my whole life - like our souls were connected and it was meant to be. i fell completely in love, and knew i wanted to adopt another dog just like her.

my childhood dog and soulmate, jolie, passed away in 2018 after 14 life changing years. bubu was the first connection i had since that reminded me of her, and the feeling of true love that finally made me know pure happiness again.

CHERRY was found in the middle of the street in the north of bali when she was just a baby, and a kind couple brought her down to canggu. she lost all her fur from disease, but with the love of an amazing foster mum, she healed and transformed into the gorgeous girl she is today. like fate, i saw an instagram story about a puppy needing a home, went to meet her and picked cherry up the next day. she is so unbelievably perfect in every way and i couldn't ask for a better best friend. i can't imagine what my life would look like without her, and bubu and cherry were destined to be sisters from the start.

TINK was saved almost a year later, my first time back to the beach after being housebound with dengue fever for a week. i found 3 puppies dumped in a rice bag, left in a rubbish filled ditch. without question, i had to take them, and seeing this tiny black puppy staring up at me, she already knew i was going to be her mum.

they were only a few weeks old, and my very first rescues. i bottle fed them every 3 hours and raised them for 6 weeks until they were healthy and vaccinated, barely sleeping (often only 2 hours a night), while still working and caring for bubu and cherry. finding tink was beautifully unexpected, i truly believe i was in the right place at the right time. i loved her instantly, she fit in effortlessly, and i'm so grateful that her brother and sister, hero and cookie were adopted into loving homes.

STORM was crying outside a circle k - a little kitten with scabies so severe he couldn't open his eyes, his face and ears completely crusted. i was viewing a house nearby, and something told me to go back to the shop. when i parked, i heard him meow, saw him alone, and thought "ok, i guess i have a cat now."

i put him in a box and took him straight to the vet. he stayed there for a week of treatment, and i visited him every day until it was safe to bring him home. he made a full fluffy recovery, and even though a cat wasn't part of my plans, i loved him so much. the dogs are all great with him, and he's the best little brother.

THE NEW BOYS...

after being a happy mum to three girls and a cat, i definitely wasn’t planning on adding two more dogs so soon. honestly, i felt scared and a bit in shock that it was really happening, cause i knew my life was about to be overwhelming. but rescue doesn't wait until life feels convenient, they needed me and i felt like i was chosen by them on purpose.

LUCKY was alone and confused at the beach entrance. i always recognise the usual dogs in the area, but i'd never seen him before. i asked around, but no one claimed him or knew where he came from. he was bony, stunk of urine, and had a deep indent and damaged skin around his neck from wearing a tight collar for too long, likely from being chained up in one place. seeing him walk repetitively in small circles at home later confirmed that.

i questioned where he came from, and looked online to see if he had been lost, not wanting to have taken someone else's dog, even though it seemed he hadn't come from good conditions. i suspected he had been abandoned, and a month later, another dog owner recognised him and told me he had been roaming a nearby area for a long time, following her on walks, but he had no home. she was so happy to see that he finally found one with me.

after i first approached him, we started walking and he came running after us. i stayed at the beach for 2 hours, processing the fact that i suddenly had 4 dogs, and he followed us the whole way until we were leaving. the rain had been so heavy around that time, i couldn't face the guilt of leaving him behind after he'd become so comfortable with us. so i got on my scooter with the girls, lucky sitting on my lap, and brought him home.

watching him bond with the others so quickly, i realised he was meant to stay. again, not part of the plan, but it was love at first sight. he looks exactly like the male version of cherry, he's the biggest softie, and i didn't know it was possible to be more in love than i already was. he found me, and i feel like this is where he always belonged.

SULLY was just a puppy, around 5 months old, walking alone at the beach, a beautiful boy with no collar, no owner in sight, with his tail tucked between his legs. he was frightened when i approached him, and scared to be touched, but quickly began to trust me and didn't leave my side. he stayed with me for two hours, and sat next to my bike when i tried to leave. i couldn’t drive off and leave him wandering the streets alone. i told myself i would find him a home, that i was the person meant to help him and he would find a family, but i never actually tried to let him go.

he's friendly, playful and full of love, with more energy, and more work than i could have imagined. but definitely one of a kind. he has a stunning merle coat and unusual light blue eyes with pigmentation just like his fur. unique features that make him even more special.

they say you don't choose your dog - your dog chooses you, and i think that's been true for all of mine (and my cat). somehow, something in my life has led me to them every time, and i am so grateful for the synchronicity the universe has gifted me.

together, they are the @blackbalibabes and i hope this is just the beginning of something meaningful.

follow our story on instagram and tiktok @blackbalibabes to see their rescue stories, cute updates and to watch them grow into their happy futures

******

BEYOND MY OWN PETS

i've always tried to show kindness to other dogs in my neighbourhood, on the street and at the beach. helping however i can.

A SAD BEGINNING WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE...

a mother dog was dumped with her puppies in a beach car park. it was a difficult and upsetting situation, and we did our best to care for them on site. after the puppies were taken/adopted, i gave the mother shelter so that she was safe. another rescuer arranged her vaccination, spay surgery and to remove her milk. after treatment at the vet, she was adopted into an amazing family where she can finally live in peace. i named her honey, she was so sweet and innocent. i can't even explain how much i cried during that time. acts like this are inhumane and unthinkable to most, but they happen so regularly here.

******

THANK YOU!

if you've read this far, thank you for caring and believing in what i'm trying to do.

if you are in a position to help financially, i would be eternally grateful. every donation, no matter how small, means so much, and hopefully over time, we can help change more lives and stop more unnecessary suffering.

******

in time, i'd love to do more, and i hope to grow @blackbalibabes into something that can reach more dogs in need, with the support of kind hearted people who believe in this dream.

while my animals are the immediate priority, this is the bigger mission i'm working towards once our stability is secured.

THE BIGGER MISSION / HOW DONATIONS CAN HELP RESCUES OVER TIME:

******

black bali babes is a personal rescue project. i care for my own rescues, and help others who deserve a second chance at life. just one person doing what she can, with help from loving supporters. fundraising from the uk to make every rescue possible.

help me help them.