Entering the Eid Homecoming Period, Pet Shipments Continue to Rise

Entering the peak Eid homecoming period in 2026, PT KAI Logistik (Kalog) has recorded an increase in pet shipments through its Kalog Express retail service. This rise coincides with increased societal mobility, as people bring or send their beloved pets back to their hometowns during the Ramadan period leading up to Eid. Kalog’s Marketing & Sales Courier Manager, Ayi Suryandi, stated yesterday that by the third week of Ramadan, the company had successfully shipped 10,874 pets. This figure equates to an average of 518 animals per day, a roughly 6% increase compared to the normal daily average of around 487 animals. The trend in interest for pet shipments has become increasingly evident during the second and third weeks of Ramadan. “As Idulfitri draws nearer, we recorded an average shipment in the third week of Ramadan of about 523 pets per day, a 7% increase from the usual daily average and about 5% growth compared to the early Ramadan period,” he explained. According to Ayi, this situation indicates that the public is beginning to prepare for their homecoming journeys while ensuring their pets can remain with family in their hometowns or arrive first at the destination city. Regarding shipment routes, several cities are favourite destinations for pet shipments, including Yogyakarta, Bandung, Purwokerto, and Jakarta. “Meanwhile, shipments originate mainly from several cities in East Java such as Tulungagung, Blitar, and Jombang, which are key departure points for pet shipments,” he revealed. Ayi explained that compared to the previous year’s Eid transport period, this year’s trend shows a quite significant increase. During last year’s Eid period (21 March – 11 April 2025), the company transported 5,492 pets, with an average of about 250 animals per day. In contrast, during this year’s Ramadan period, the average shipment has reached more than 500 animals per day, more than double the average from the previous Eid period. “The upward trend in pet shipments ahead of this year’s Idul Fitri demonstrates the growing trust of the public in the Kalog Express service. We ensure that every shipment is handled with special standards to maintain the safety and comfort of the animals during the journey,” he emphasised. Ayi added that Kalog applies animal welfare principles through initial physical condition checks, verification of cages meeting standards, placement in well-ventilated areas, and special “Live Animal” labelling to ensure more careful handling by staff. Additionally, owners are advised to prepare their pets before the journey, such as feeding them 2–4 hours before departure and providing spill-proof food and water containers inside the cage. During the journey, staff ensure that cages are not stacked with goods and that air circulation remains maintained. “The animals that can be shipped include domestic pets such as cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, hamsters, and ornamental fish, with an estimated delivery time of about one day following the train schedule and costs ranging from Rp100,000 to Rp250,000 depending on the animal’s size and cage,” he detailed. In terms of capacity, Ayi continued, the company provides around 400 tonnes of round-trip transport capacity to support logistical needs during the Eid transport period. The company is optimistic that this capacity can still accommodate the increase and potential surge in demand for goods shipments. All shipments to certain destinations will be suspended starting 18 March, with services resuming normally on 25 March 2026. “Through the advantages of rail transport, which has fixed schedules and relatively minimal traffic obstacles, the company is committed to providing safe, comfortable, and reliable pet shipment services. Especially during periods of increased shipments like Ramadan and leading up to Idul Fitri,” he said.