Cats, dogs rain on pet care center

Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang

As pet owners leave for their hometowns or go on holiday over Idul Fitri, business has gone barking mad at the Griya Satwa Lestari pet care center and clinic in the Central Java town of Semarang.

"We only have 28 enclosures, but people have already left 38 dogs and five cats with us. We started to turn down those wanting to leave their pets with us two days ago," Maya, one of the center's staff, told The Jakarta Post.

Maya said the lack of enclosures meant the center had to request pet owners bring their own.

"But we don't take birds and fowls. Not because we're afraid of the bird flu, but because we're worried the birds will feel disturbed by the dogs' loud barks," she said.

The clinic's manager, veterinarian Anna Ekawati, said that since the clinic was opened six years ago, it had more customers year-on-year. From Nov. 1 to Nov. 7., the center was already fully booked, she said.

"Most pet owners wanting to keep their pets are regular customers of the clinic. The animals being left here should be in healthy condition as shown on their health cards," Anna said.

From only one employee and Anna, the center now has 11 staff, including another veterinarian, Luky Aryani.

Fees are divided into four categories, ranging from Rp 35,000 to Rp 50,000 a day, depending on the size of the pet.

"Since we have started to turn down requests to take care of more pets, I usually refer the pet owners to other clinics belonging to my colleagues," Anna said.

Apart from providing pet-care facilities and a clinic service to treat sick pets, "beauty care" is also provided, including fur and claw trimming and a full bath.

Claw cutting and an ear clean will set back pet pamperers a cool Rp 45,000 for a small dog and up to Rp 60,000 for a big one. Cats cost Rp 50,000 each for fur-trimming, no matter how fluffy.

Maya said the demand for health and beauty care came mostly from the clinic's foreign clients, many of whom worked in the furniture business in Jepara.

Business was also good during other national holidays including the Christmas and New Year celebrations, she said.

"We have a European customer who has six dogs. When he is on leave, he will ask us to come to his house to take care of his dogs with specially prepared food."

Pet care centers in Semarang:

* Griya Satwa Lestari, Jl. Singosari Raya 30; phone: 024- 8451265,
* Harley Brahmana center, Jl. Guntur 11; phone: 024-8312816
* Von Eldorado, Jl. Pusponjolo Barat 29, phone: 024-70166605.
* Karsano, Jl. MT Haryono, phone: 024-8416300
* Pet Paradise, Jl. Dr. Wahidin, phone: 024-8448187.