Building Bhutan’s Future for Animal Welfare

Our Roadmap: 2026–2030

BARC has relocated four times, built a trusted presence in communities across Bhutan, and earned partnerships with veterinary and animal welfare organizations both locally and internationally. We're now building the next chapter: formal partnerships, a country-wide animal welfare network, and a permanent home for the work. Each phase rests on what we've already proven — and on the donors who make the next step possible.

BARC opposes the capture or breeding of wildlife for human entertainment.

What we're building

Phase 1

Foundation
(2026-2027)

At our new home, BARC will deliver three things Bhutan currently lacks at scale:

First, we aim to establish an animal clinic with around-the-clock services and a visitor center.

Second, we will strengthen our collaborations to provide animal rescues and promote vaccinations against canine distemper (CDV) and feline panleukopenia (FPV).

Third, we aim to formalize collaborations with the College of Natural Resources on practical veterinary training for students, as well as with the Bhutan Government on an animal welfare & care service delivery system, including Government Departments, Bhutanese non-profits, education institutes, and citizens.

Phase 2

Growth
(2028-2029)

With foundations proven, we scale what works. Treatment capacity grows to 600–1,000 animals per year for residential/in-patient care. Vaccination campaigns expand in partnership with the government. Our wildlife collaboration with the Department of Forestry and Park Services moves from informal cases to a formal co-management protocol. We open a rehabilitation unit for long-term animal care and expand our school education program to reach 200+ children annually.

We also need to professionalize our organization with Bhutanese professional staff and international professional volunteers.

Phase 3

Consolidation
(2030+)

Year five is about proving the model works — and making it last. We aim to treat 1,000+ animals per year, have 20+ veterinary students in structured clinical rotations, and operate with 40% of our income from non-grant sources. We’ll document everything we’ve learned so other Bhutanese animal welfare organizations can follow the path BARC has built. Our goal is to contribute directly to Bhutan’s 14th Five-Year Plan as a recognized civil society partner in animal welfare.

BARC is honest about where we are.

We’re a small organization with real constraints — limited staff, limited infrastructure, and goals that depend on government collaboration we haven’t yet fully secured. What we do have is a track record of getting things done, international veterinary partners who show up, and a plan built on what we’ve already proven. Your donation doesn’t fund promises. It funds the next concrete step.

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Five-Year Roadmap

2026 — 2027

Foundation

  • Start construction of new clinic, animal rescue facilities, wildlife enclosures, visitor center, staff quarters, and office

  • Work out a collaboration agreement between animal welfare organizations and the Government

  • 24/7 emergency rescue service goes live

  • First-year veterinary students begin clinical training at BARC. Launch pilot Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) vaccination campaign in Thimphu

2027 — 2028

Growth

  • Rescue and treatment facilities are fully operational

  • Professional staffing ensured

  • Collaboration with international welfare organizations strengthened

  • Roles and responsibilities of AWOs and the Government for animal welfare are clarified and agreed upon

2028 — 2029

Growth

  • BARC develops training materials and provides the first College of Natural Resources (CNR) internships and student training

  • BARC and the Government develop a wildlife rehabilitation and reintegration program

2030+

Consolidation

  • 1,000+ animals treated annually

  • 40% of operating revenue from non-grant sources

  • The BARC model is documented for replication across the Himalayas

  • BARC input incorporated into Bhutan's 14th Five-Year Plan

  • Animal welfare services strengthened and expanded through collaboration with the Royal Government of Bhutan

Frequently asked questions

  • BARC operates a 24/7 emergency rescue service that responds to distress calls throughout Bhutan. We rescue injured, sick, and abandoned animals and provide them with veterinary care. For further away areas of Bhutan, we organize rescue and transport to our Center jointly with other animal welfare organizations and supporters. Your support can help us to strengthen our rescue services so we can help more animals in need.

  • BARC provides 24/7 emergency rescue, veterinary surgery and sterilization, intensive care, treatment for infectious diseases, wound management, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, wildlife rescue, vaccination drives, and a permanent sanctuary for animals with chronic conditions. We serve dogs, cats, monkeys, birds, horses, and other wildlife.

  • BARC's work directly supports two GNH pillars: environmental conservation and the preservation of Bhutanese cultural values, including the Buddhist principle of compassion for all sentient beings. By formalizing partnerships with the Department of Livestock, the Department of Forestry and Park Services, and the College of Natural Resources, BARC is positioning itself to contribute to the 14th Five-Year Plan as a recognized civil society partner in animal welfare and One Health.

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