Ministry of Forestry Launches Animal-Friendly Initiative; Forestry Minister Calls for Better Treatment of Cats

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has called on staff at the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) to demonstrate care for animals, starting from their own environment through the launch of the “Animal-Friendly Ministry” initiative, marked by the sterilisation of cats on the ministry premises.

“We speak of loving, rescuing, and protecting cats and animals. However, it would be best to begin with ourselves, from our own home, which is the Ministry of Forestry. Today we are officially inaugurating this initiative and asking all our employees and staff to treat animals in our workplace, particularly cats, with greater care,” said Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni during the launch event in Jakarta on Thursday.

In collaboration with Jakarta Regional Assembly (DPRD DKI Jakarta) member Francine Widjaja, the ministry subsequently carried out cat sterilisation and rabies vaccination programmes at the Ministry of Forestry premises in observance of World Cat Rescue Day, commemorated annually on 2 March.

In addition to the sterilisation efforts, the Ministry of Forestry has established several feeding stations to provide food to stray cats in its vicinity.

During the same occasion, Jakarta Regional Assembly member Francine Widjaja commended the Ministry of Forestry for supporting efforts by the Jakarta Regional Assembly and Jakarta Provincial Government to ensure animal welfare, including that of cats.

She explained that the Jakarta Provincial Government has already implemented a cat sterilisation programme across Jakarta, with a target of 22,000 cats for sterilisation this year.

Furthermore, she stated that the Jakarta Regional Assembly continues to advocate for the establishment of additional animal health clinics and the construction of an animal hospital, which is planned to operate in the Ragunan area of South Jakarta.