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View all search resultsMore than love: The real costs of owning a dog
Owners, shelter workers and foster volunteers say responsible pet ownership takes more than love, while social media is helping some dogs pay their own way.
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Second chance: Adopted dogs Hazelnut (left), 3.5 years, and Peanut, 4, sit with matching bandannas along a paved sidewalk in Jakarta, in this undated photograph. (Courtesy of Dwika Putra/-)
J
onathan Roganda Timothy spends roughly Rp 5 million (US$276) to Rp 7 million a month to feed and groom his four dogs: two golden retrievers, an Akita and a rescued Karelo-Finnish Laika.
The cost is simply part of the commitment. But for many people grappling with rising living costs and economic uncertainty, it is exactly why owning a dog has become a luxury.
Canine companionship was once a simple source of joy for pet lovers in Jakarta. Now it empties wallets, wears down patience and crowds shelters as owners, foster caregivers and shelter workers juggle rising costs and limited space.
They also confront the unsettling truth that giving up a dog can be just as hard as taking one in.
"Adopting a dog is not an impulse. It’s a 10- to 15-year lifestyle commitment that demands time, love and money,” Jonathan, who lives in South Tangerang, Banten, said during an interview in late June.
“People may disagree, but you need a budget and a plan before bringing a pet home," he advised.
"Adopting a dog is not an impulse. It’s a 10- to 15-year lifestyle commitment that demands time, love and money.” — Jonathan Roganda Timothy, pet influencer
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