A veterinarian working for an animal welfare foundation said Friday the Balinese should be more concerned with the welfare of the island's street dogs.

The common street dogs, including a large number infected with various diseases, negatively affect the image of Bali as one of the world's top tourism destinations, he said.

"Most people here don't realize that street dogs" harm the island's reputation, project manager of the Yudisthira Swarga street dogs foundation, I Wayan Mudiarta, told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

"We realize it will a long journey to ... bring local people to pay more attention to these dogs," Mudiarta said.

Established in 1998 by Balinese veterinarian Dr. Listriani Wistawan and her American friend Sherry Grant, the foundation is a place for individuals and veterinarians to improve animal welfare on the island.

The foundation's name comes from the last chapter of the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. Yudhistira, the prince of truth, refused to enter heaven after Lord Indra denied entry to Yudhistira's sole companion -- a skinny, mangy dog. The prince argued the dog had earned its place in heaven for completing the long journey there.

The foundation estimates there are around 1 million street dogs on the island, most commonly seen at traditional markets and beaches.

A recent survey by the foundation showed that many of the dogs aren't ownerless, but that owners leave their dogs to roam freely and fend for themselves.

"It is actually rather shameful," Mudiarta said.

The owners said their negligence was variously due to a lack of time or a lack of money to pay for the pets' medical checkups.

"At least, please bathe the dogs twice a week and provide them with simple foods. These gestures, no matter how simple they are, will reflect on their dogs' appearances," another foundation veterinarian, Rina Dwi Asih Suradjono, said.

"We take the initiative to conduct field operations in villages around the island to sterilize street dogs from both sexes. By doing this, at least we prevent another problem from arising," she said.

The foundation, which receives money from both local and international donors, operates two mobile clinics.

On Friday, a team comprising five veterinarians went to Punjuan, Tabanan, examining street dogs and teaching local children how to treat animals respectfully.

Veterinarians sterilized 20 street dogs and administered medications to prevent skin diseases.

The foundation works closely with the Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA), a new organization based in Gianyar regency.

Founded by Janice Girardi, an American who has lived in Ubud for 30 years, and local veterinarian Dewa Made Dharma, BAWA runs an operation similar to Yudisthira's.

"But with one little difference; we also establish temporary shelter for abandoned and sick puppies," BAWA office manager Christian Immanuel said Saturday.

On that day, around 15 puppies were housed and being treated at the temporary shelter. Four of them had skin diseases.

"We pick up these abandoned puppies mostly during our daily visits to villages. In several cases they are brought here by individuals who were unable to treat the puppies by themselves," he said.

BAWA regularly notifies area schools about puppies available for adoption.

"Usually, there will be some students who come down here to pick up the puppies," he said.

"It is important to for us to find adopters for these puppies as we will always need more space to shelter other puppies in the future," he said.

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