This year's Bali Dog Idol (BDI), hosted by local Yayasan Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA), will harness the opportunity to educate participants and their families in rabies awareness and prevention.

BDI is an interactive animal welfare challenge, open to local residents who have adopted puppies or dogs from BAWA. Over a six-month period, contestants are assessed on the care they have taken of their pets – with judging based on overall health, physical appearance, as well as the dog's temperament, connection with it's owner and receptiveness to training.

Now in its third year, BDI continues to grow – with 72 contestants competing in this year's event, held at Bali Bird Park on Sunday, April 3. Winners will be announced in all three categories (students, public and BAWA staff) with prizes awarded such as a bicycle and school desk.

BAWA founding director Janice Girardi said that Bali Dog Idol represented BAWA's most important program – education.

"I truly believe that teaching about concepts of responsible pet ownership and animal welfare is the only way to ensure a better future for both the people and animals of Bali," she said.

"Human health is closely linked to animal health – to have a healthy human population, we need healthy animals. Today is all about celebrating and fostering a better understanding of the connection between the two."

This year's BDI contest takes place during a significant week for BAWA, as on Thursday (31/03/11) their 400-strong team completed the first round of dog inoculations for Bali's humane rabies control programme, co-ordinated in conjunction with the provincial government.

"We all know the suffering Bali has experienced over the last two years with human rabies deaths. The positive news is that the current vaccination drive and its related socialisation programs will have an enormous impact in reducing these deaths in the future - and we can credit that to increased education and rabies awareness," Girardi said.

Contestants, who have all received special courses in rabies and animal care, will also have their knowledge put to the test in question and answer sessions. Rabies questions focus around how to avoid dog bites, symptoms of the disease in animals, and what to do if you get bitten.

"It is amazing that a 10 year old knows the answer to what to do if bitten by a dog. Scrub the wound with soap and water for twenty minutes and then seek medical attention," she said.

"Owning a pet is not just about having a cute puppy to play with around the family home. We have taught children and adults what it takes to look after a pet, that it needs to have clean drinking water and food in its bowl every day, that it needs some shelter, a place to sleep at night, and medical care when needed," Girardi said.

BAWA would like to thank major sponsors Rip Curl School of Surf and AJ Hackett Bungee Jump for the prizes they have donated.