The future looked bleak for the tiny West Highland terrier stranded at the bottom of a concrete drain in Jakarta.

He had an appalling rash, most of his hair had fallen out, and a group of children were throwing stones at him.

"This dog didn't even bark, or try to escape. It was like, 'Whatever you do to me, I will just stay quiet here'," Jakarta resident Carolina Fajar said.

There is no pound, or RSPCA equivalent in Jakarta. Unwanted dogs fare for themselves, or die.

Unlike the city's feral cats, stray dogs do not last long.

Ms Fajar is a volunteer with Let's Adopt! in Indonesia — a charity that rescues dogs like Pippin.

Pippin had an appalling rash and most of his hair had fallen out. ( Supplied )

"Then we have them stay in clinic for a while until they are healthy enough to go to a foster home," she said.

Ms Fajar saved the dog from the drain and gave him a name — Pippin.

She found a temporary home for Pippin in Jakarta's northern suburbs and organised veterinary treatment.

Then her charity set about trying to find a permanent home for Pippin, via appeals on social media.

Rehoming a middle-aged dog with a skin condition would be tough anywhere. In Indonesia, the odds are almost insurmountable.

For unwanted Jakarta dogs with medical problems, it can be easier to find a new home overseas.

Pippin received veterinary treatment after being rescued. ( Supplied )

"Some of our rescues are in very chronic condition. So there are things that the vet here cannot do," Ms Fajar said.

"So we ask for help and we send the dogs overseas to get more medication."

For dogs to be accepted in the United States they need vaccinations, an all-clear from the vet and a willing courier.

Let's Adopt! Indonesia did the medical grunt work, and then found a US citizen who was returning home from Jakarta.

For unwanted Jakarta dogs with medical problems, it can be easier to find a new home overseas. ( Supplied )

So far, Let's Adopt! Indonesia has sent 11 dogs overseas via this canine escape route, mostly to the United States.

Pippin has gone to Atlanta, Georgia.

His veterinary treatment has continued, his skin has improved and his hair has grown back.

He has had his first US Thanksgiving, seen snow for the first time, and he and his new owner Karuna feature prominently in the Lets Adopt! Indonesia's 2017 calendar.

He is living a life that is a long way removed from a Jakarta drain.