Slaughtering of stray animals

Slaughtering of stray animals

The article on page 18 of the Aug. 3 edition of The Jakarta
Post, concerning the feral cat population in San Juan, made me
think about the parallels in our own city. "Roundups" of cats and
dogs are being carried out more and more frequently in upmarket
housing developments, hotel complexes and neighborhoods in
Jakarta. The majority of these animals face a grisly and painful
death by poisoning, drowning or by other means.

Recently in the Post, a small article was published that
reported that stray cats and dogs were being rounded up in North
Jakarta and sent to "Ragunan" -- whatever that meant. No, this is
not a popular story, but one that we need to hear more about if
there is any hope of coming to terms with the problem.

The mass slaughter of stray animals is not a solution. Within
days of a "roundup" and slaughter new animals will move into the
area because there is a food source, generally garbage. To
control this, the following steps must be taken: (1) Control the
food sources; (2) Introduce a low- or no-cost program to
sterilize the animals presently living in the area; (3) Educate
people about the need to control the breeding of their own pets.

The sterilized animals will keep their territory, and the
population will decrease over time because young are not being
produced. Yes, it will take time, a coordinated effort and some
investment. However, we are currently investing time and money in
programs that not only do not work, but cause unnecessary pain
and suffering to these unwanted animals.

If you would like to help start this program today, please
neuter and spay your pets.

MICHELLE BRUCE
Jakarta