Governor Pramono Anung recently unveiled plans to create a “cat island”, envisioned as both a sanctuary for stray cats and a tourist destination, in an effort to address the city’s overpopulation problem. The idea takes inspiration from similar islands in Japan.

However, the proposal has received a lukewarm response from cat lovers and experts, who worry it may simply shift the problem of stray cat overpopulation without offering sustainable solutions. They urged the administration to approach the plan with more thorough consideration.

Shinta Saraswati, a member of the Jakarta Cat Lovers community, expressed concern that the island could become a "dumping ground" for the city’s unwanted cats. She emphasized the need for long-term management and sufficient funding if the plan proceeds.

“The administration must also factor in how local residents might respond to the relocated cats to prevent potential conflict,” she said, adding that veterinary services should be included to manage the cat population and reduce disease risk.

“Don’t rush or insist on creating a cat island. It sounds beautiful, but it's not necessarily easy to implement,” Shinta cautioned.

Veterinarian Abid Mursyid echoed Shinta’s concerns. He stressed the importance of providing basic health services such as deworming, flea treatment and vaccinations to minimize disease transmission. Abid also highlighted the need to assess the island’s ecological suitability, including climate, food availability and biodiversity, before implementation.

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