Indonesia plans to make a cat island for tourism

Jakarta is planning to create a special Cat Island in the Thousand Islands, north of the Indonesian city's coast, and will be opening it for tourism.

Inspired by Japan's cat islands, Jakarta governor Pramono Anung Wibowo said he hopes the island will be able to attract tourists and provide welfare for stray cats, reported Tempo.

Making Jakarta an animal-friendly city

Pramono floated the idea to create a special island for cats as early as March, according to CNN Indonesia.

He unveiled the plan while receiving an award from the Indonesian World Records museum for "Social Service for the Most Cats Sterilised".

According to Pramono, reports on cats are one of the most frequent issues the Jakarta provincial government receives from the public, reported Tempo.

Many of these reports request that the government sterilise the cats.

Long-term solution

While receiving his award, Pramono said he plans to sterilise as many as 21,000 cats throughout Jakarta this year.

Pramono said he wants to make Jakarta an animal-friendly city under his leadership.

He believes that the creation of the cat island could improve the cats' welfare.

The island is designed to become a shelter for stray cats found in various areas of Jakarta.

It is also expected to become a long-term solution to the issue of stray cats population in Jakarta.

Meeting with Animal Defenders, cat experts

Pramono said he had met with members from Animal Defenders Indonesia recently and had discussed the idea of the Cat Island with the group, according to Kompas.

The meeting was also attended by the Regent of Thousand Islands, Muhammad Fadjar Churniawan, who will further explore the plan of creating the Cat Island.

Also present in the meeting were cat experts from Brawijaya University.

Pramono had also requested that other cat experts from other universities to be involved.

Currently, the government is studying which island among the archipelago of islands will be designated as a Cat Island.

Professionally managed

Fadjar said in April that the Cat Island would be professionally managed with priority towards health and care for the cats, Tempo reported.

Fadjar also said the Cat Island can provide employment for the locals.

Meanwhile, the founder of Animal Defenders Indonesia, Doni Herdaru Tona, said the island would be a good solution to resolve social conflicts involving cats.

According to Tempo, the Cat Island will also have veterinarians and other facilities to care for the cats.

Top image via Canva