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