Across Bali and in many other parts of the world, dogs and cats are still being kept in cages or chained for most, if not all, of their lives.
This form of animal abuse in Bali is often justified as a way to keep animals safe or contained or out of trouble, but the reality is that long-term confinement causes significant harm and does nothing to address the real issues facing animals or the communities they live in. Caging and chaining animals for life is not a solution. It is a form of neglect that leads to serious physical and psychological damage and ultimately increases suffering rather than preventing it.
Animals are not meant to live in confinement
Animals are not objects or possessions that can be stored away. They are social, intelligent beings with a natural need to move, explore, interact and form bonds. When an animal is confined to a cage or tied to a chain day after day, those instincts are suppressed, often with devastating consequences.
The physical harm caused by caging and chaining
The physical effects of long-term confinement appear quickly. Animals develop muscle loss, joint problems and chronic pain from a lack of movement. They are frequently exposed to heat, rain and parasites with no way to escape. Wounds go untreated, skin conditions worsen, and basic hygiene becomes impossible. Over time, their bodies deteriorate simply because they are denied the ability to move and care for themselves naturally.
The psychological damage of long-term confinement
The psychological damage is often even more severe. Animals kept in cages or on chains commonly experience extreme stress, fear and anxiety. Many shut down completely, becoming withdrawn and unresponsive to their surroundings. Others develop aggression or repetitive behaviours as a result of prolonged frustration and mental distress. This is not because the animal is dangerous or difficult, but because their needs are being ignored.
Why people cage and chain animals
In many cases, caging and chaining do not come from deliberate cruelty, but from a lack of education and understanding. People are often told that confining an animal will stop roaming, fighting or breeding, or they fear that allowing freedom will lead to injury or loss. While these concerns are understandable, confinement without proper care only shifts the problem rather than solving it.
A caged or chained animal is still unsterilised, still vulnerable to illness and still living under constant stress. The behaviours people are trying to prevent are often made worse by confinement, not better. Fear, frustration and lack of stimulation increase the likelihood of aggression and illness, creating a cycle that harms both animals and people.
What real safety and responsible care look like
True safety does not come from a cage or a chain. It comes from responsible care, which includes sterilisation to prevent roaming and overpopulation, access to veterinary care, proper nutrition, and an environment that allows animals to move, socialise and feel secure. When these needs are met, confinement becomes unnecessary.
How confinement impacts communities
The impact of caging and chaining animals extends beyond the individual animal. Confined animals are more likely to become sick, injured or behaviourally unstable, placing an even greater burden on rescuers, veterinarians and community resources. Suffering is hidden rather than prevented, allowing the problem to continue generation after generation.
Education is the real solution
At Mission Paws’ible, we have seen that lasting change in tackling animal abuse in Bali does not come from removing animals alone. It comes from education. When people understand what animals actually need to live healthy, balanced lives, their approach changes. When communities learn that sterilisation is the real solution to roaming and population control, cages and chains lose their purpose. When people are supported with knowledge and access to care, compassion follows naturally.
Better alternatives to confinement
There are always better options than confinement. Dogs can be trained, cats can be sterilised, and boundaries can be created without restricting an animal’s entire existence. Safety and responsibility do not require suffering.
Every animal deserves dignity and freedom
No animal deserves to spend their life behind bars or at the end of a chain. Not because they are bad, unwanted or inconvenient, but because they are living beings who deserve dignity, movement and connection.
If we truly want to reduce suffering, we must stop normalising confinement and start addressing the real causes. Education, sterilisation and compassionate care are the only way forward, and real change begins when we choose to do better.
