Stray cats make City Hall home

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

While the Jakarta administration claims to regularly clear the city streets of stray cats and dogs, some have apparently found refuge in its offices.

The Jakarta Post observed at least 10 cats at City Hall taking a nap or dining on scraps from the trash bin (see photo).

"I don't know where they (the cats) came from nor when they arrived. What I do know is that some of the officials are inclined to feed them," said Yoyon, a janitor.

Stray cats and dogs are ubiquitous in residential areas, markets, even slum areas, while not many residents have pet dogs and cats.

"The number of stray animals, especially cats, has been growing significantly so that they're a nuisance. They often make noise at night when they fight among themselves," said Kelik, a resident of Tanjung Barat, Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta.

Compared to cats, there are less dogs in the city. While some people in the city are partial to eating their meat, the major reason for the moderate dog population is that the dog is considered unclean under Islam.

To reduce the incidence of rabies -- an acute virus disease transmitted to humans through the bite of dogs, cats or monkeys -- head of the Jakarta Animal Husbandry, Fishery and Marine Affairs Agency Edy Setiarto said the agency had been conducting routine catches.

As of May this year, the agency had captured 464 cats and dogs. Most were caught in North Jakarta with 154 cats and 30 dogs, followed by Central Jakarta with 108 cats and 15 dogs, South Jakarta (76 dogs, 15 cats), North Jakarta (38 dogs and 22 cats) and West Jakarta with five dogs.

"Catches are also made upon the residents' request. Residents, who feel that strays in their neighborhood are becoming a nuisance, could ask for the agency's help," said Edy.

The agency's office is on Jl. Gunung Sahari Raya No. 11, Central Jakarta and can be reached by phoning 600-7251.

The compound is in Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta.

Edy said the agency was also assigned to monitor the influx of cats, dogs and monkeys to anticipate the possibility of animals carrying diseases into the capital.

The regulation that requires pet owners to obtain a health certificate for their animals has largely been ignored, with incoming animals from abroad the only ones on record.

From January to May, the agency reported 174 dogs and 101 cats entered the city from other countries.