Little Steps Matter: Making a Difference for Bali’s Animals

At Little Steps Matter, the team is dedicated to improving the lives of animals in Bali through a range of programs and services to alleviate suffering and provide a better future for these deserving creatures.

About Little Steps Matter

Little Steps Matter was founded by Sabine Kaufmann, a lifelong animal lover, and defender of animal rights.

As a child, she began rescuing animals and later developed a passion for horses, eventually running her stables.

Distressed by the number of sick and injured animals she found on the streets of Bali, Sabine took them in for healing and rehabilitation, seeking adoptive homes for them.

In 2016, she established Little Steps Matter to help even more animals in Bali have a second chance at a happy and healthy life.

Alongside her work with animals, Sabine practices natural horsemanship with her horses, providing the same care for boarding horses.

With the support of her family and friends, Little Steps Matter has grown to include daily street feeding, mass sterilization days, and education on animal care.

Sabine’s sister-in-law Putu Krista partners with her on the daily feeding schedule, while her best friend Claudia fosters rescued cats and handles foundation administration.

Sabine’s son Andre plays a significant role in day-to-day operations, and German friend Beate provides legal support through her consulting business, Pertiwi Consulting.

In addition, ongoing volunteer Nala offers invaluable assistance in animal rescue emergencies and mass sterilizations while managing the organization’s social media.

Their Mission 

Little Steps Matter aims to alleviate the suffering of animals in Bali through a comprehensive approach that includes feeding, treatment, sterilization, education, and a rescue-rehab-rehome process.

The organization strives to provide food and medical care for animals in need across Kediri while educating the local community on ethical treatment and care of animals.

This education initiative is designed to create a ripple effect, inspiring others to learn and share proper animal care techniques.

The organization is committed to sterilizing all abandoned and owned dogs and cats in Kediri to prevent unwanted pregnancies and animal abandonment.

Additionally, Little Steps Matter works to eliminate mange and treat flea and tick infestations in street dogs and owned dogs.

Their efforts aim to strengthen the bond between owners and their pets and find forever homes for abandoned animals.

As part of their advocacy, Little Steps Matter also champions the preservation of the Heritage Bali Dog.

Little Steps Matter History

Little Steps Matter, founded by lifelong animal lover and defender of animal rights Sabine Kaufmann, originated from her early experiences in Germany rescuing animals in need and her passion for horses.

After moving to Bali in 1989, Sabine was deeply affected by the number of sick and injured dogs and cats she encountered, leading her to rehabilitate and find homes for these abandoned animals.

Established in 2016, Little Steps Matter expanded with the help of Sabine’s sister-in-law Putu Krista, best friend Claudia, and brother Jochen.

The organization focuses on daily street feeding schedules, mass sterilization days, and educating locals on animal care.

Sabine practices natural horsemanship with her horses and offers the same respect for boarding horses, while Claudia, an avid cat lover, fosters rescued cats and handles the foundation’s administration.

Programs and Services

The Little Steps Matter organization focuses on various initiatives to create a lasting impact on the lives of animals in need.

Street Feeding Program 

The increasing number of stray dogs and cats in Bali face severe challenges as they struggle to survive, often malnourished and battling mange, ticks, fleas, and worms.

Little Steps Matter addresses this issue by providing daily wet and dry food deliveries to neighbourhoods across Tabanan, Bali’s third-largest region.

In addition, the organization supports homeless animals through street feeding and local pet owners who cannot afford food and medication or lack knowledge about proper animal care.

With the ongoing impact of the virus and lockdown, Balinese families have been struggling to provide for themselves and their animals, making the support provided by Little Steps Matter more essential than ever.

Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation.

Little Steps rescue sick and injured animals from the streets of Bali, providing them with the necessary medical care and rehabilitation to recover and thrive.

Their team works tirelessly to ensure these animals have a second chance at a happy and healthy life.

Adoption and Foster Care 

Once the animals in their care are ready to find their forever homes, Little Steps facilitate adoption by connecting them with loving families.

They also work with foster caregivers who provide temporary homes for animals in need while they search for the animal’s perfect forever families.

Sterilization and Vaccination 

Little Steps Matter is dedicated to reducing unnecessary suffering and the number of unwanted animals in Bali.

Their most effective approach is through sterilization, so they organize monthly mass sterilizations for both street animals and those owned by local families who cannot afford the procedure.

Before sterilization days, the team identifies strays in need and visits households to register owned animals requiring sterilization, assessing the best approach for each case.

Little Steps even assist with transportation if necessary and provide post-operative medical care as needed.

All sterilizations are performed by a professional veterinary team from Bali Pet Crusaders, and the Department of Agriculture supplies free rabies vaccinations during each event.

Education and Advocacy

In Bali, the knowledge of proper animal care is unfortunately limited, leading to unintentional neglect or abuse.

As a result, many dogs and cats are confined to cages or short ropes, lacking access to clean water, nutritious food, and suffering from various illnesses.

However, the Balinese culture of living in family compounds with outdoor activities allows Little Steps Matter to connect with pet owners.

By visiting homes and offering support for animal care, the foundation helps improve living conditions and overall well-being for these animals, as locals appreciate and welcome their assistance.

Get Involved

Join their mission to make a difference in the lives of Bali’s animals.

You can support their work in numerous ways, including volunteering, donating, or spreading the word about the organization within your network. 

Volunteer Opportunities

Little Steps Matter urgently needs volunteers with professional expertise, such as photographers, videographers, social media influencers, and anyone willing to share their time and network to help spread the word about the organization and secure donations.

Don’t hesitate to contact them if you want to learn more or get involved.

If you’re in Bali and would like to join Little Steps Matter on a street feed in the Kediri area of Tabanan, reach out to them to check their availability.

Feeding sessions typically start at 10 am and end around 2 pm, depending on the animals they encounter.

Join the team and witness firsthand how they care for familiar and new street animals.

Feel free to take pictures and ask questions while they work, but please be respectful by following their lead when approaching animals and moving slowly to avoid scaring them.

 Donate to Support Their Work 

Little Steps Matter is significantly underfunded for their vital work, and each donation truly makes a difference in the lives of the animals they support.

For instance, just €8 can feed a dog for a week, while €10 covers a cat’s annual vaccinations.

Consider contributing through the ‘Donate Now’ button with a monthly, annual, or one-time donation, or explore fundraising options such as a cake sale, sponsored car wash, or selling unwanted items on eBay.

Your generosity can directly impact animals in need, providing them with the care and assistance they deserve.

Fundraising Events 

You can significantly impact Little Steps Matter’s mission by raising funds through your network of family, friends, and acquaintances.

Get creative with your fundraising efforts—host an event, offer a donation-based class, or explore other innovative ways to gather support.

There are no limits to how you can contribute your time and effort to help make a difference in the lives of vulnerable animals in Bali.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Little Steps Matter is seeking support from pet care brands to assist with food and medical supplies and collaborations with people-focused brands to help spread the word about their organization.

By reducing the costs associated with food and supplies, they are able to allocate more funds toward sterilizations, operations, rescues, and other essential services that help improve the lives of animals in need.

Your partnership can significantly impact their mission to provide care and support for Bali’s vulnerable animal population.

 Help Protect the Bali Dog

The Bali Heritage Dog, often misunderstood as a mutt or mongrel, is a unique and ancient breed that dates back at least 2,500 years.

Scientists from the University of California (UC) Davis discovered that these dogs, characterized by their long pointed ears, high hind legs, and short hair, hold one of the richest genetic diversities among all dog breeds.

Bali has two indigenous dog breeds, the Bali Heritage Dog and the Highland Kintamani.

The Bali Heritage Dog is brilliant, easy to train, and boasts various colours and markings.

Since the ban on importing breed dogs was lifted in 2004, the pure Bali Heritage Dog population has declined by 80%, and the breed now faces extinction due to crossbreeding, mass culling, and the dog meat trade.

Little Steps Matter is committed to preserving the Bali Heritage Dog by sharing its unique history and protecting the species from various threats.

This crucial work can only be accomplished with your support.

Contact Little Steps Matter

If you have any questions or want to learn more about their work, please get in touch with them.

Their team is always happy to assist you and provide more information about Little Steps Matter.

[email protected]

Phone:  + 62 811 394 623

 Connect with Little Steps Matter

Stay up-to-date with our latest news and activities by following them on social media.

You’ll be among the first to learn about upcoming events, success stories, and other updates by connecting with them.

Report Animal Cruelty or Abuse

If you witness any instances of animal cruelty or abuse, be sure to get in touch with the team at little steps immediately.

Their team is committed to investigating and addressing these situations to ensure the well-being and safety of animals in Bali.

Phone:  + 62 811 394 623