Ministry of Forestry Launches Animal-Friendly Programme, Street Cats Sterilised and Vaccinated

Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni has established a Ministry of Forestry Animal-Friendly Programme to protect stray cats. Ten cat feeding stations have been installed at the ministry’s Manggala Wanabakti Complex in Central Jakarta.

The initiative also includes sterilisation, trap-neuter-release (TNR) operations, and rabies vaccinations for street cats. The activities took place on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

The programme aims to create an animal-friendly working environment within the Ministry of Forestry. Jakarta Regional Parliament Commission B member Francine Widjojo from the PSI faction and several animal welfare activists participated in the activities.

The Ministry of Forestry is a state institution responsible for the conservation of diverse wildlife, including charismatic species such as elephants, tigers, tapirs and others. Raja Juli stated that concern for animals begins with simple steps in the immediate environment.

“Big things often start from small things. If we want to talk about protecting wildlife and the environment, we can start from our own homes, including within the Ministry of Forestry,” he said.

Raja Juli frequently feeds stray cats and has called upon all Ministry of Forestry staff to treat animals, particularly cats, with greater care and responsibility.

Francine, also an animal welfare advocate, welcomed the ministry’s initiative. She expressed hopes that the programme will not remain confined to Jakarta but will spread throughout the country.

“I hope this step will be followed by other ministries and institutions. More areas becoming animal-friendly and population control through sterilisation. So that not only Jakarta, but all of Indonesia becomes animal-friendly,” she added.