The South Jakarta Food Security, Marine and Agriculture (KPKP) Sub-agency held a free sterilization program at Nyi Ageng Serang Building in Karet Kuningan Urban Village, Setiabudi Sub-district, where 211 local male cats were neutered.

South Jakarta KPKP Sub-agency Head Hasudungan A. Sidabalok said the initiative aims to control the stray cat population while helping maintain Jakarta's rabies-free status, which the city has held since 2004.

"I would like to thank the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association (PDHI), Jakarta Cat Lovers, Purina PetCare, and all other partners who have supported the South Jakarta KPKP Sub-agency in every sterilization program," he said on Wednesday (7/1).

Hasudungan explained that each cat is examined before sterilization to ensure it is healthy and meets the age requirement for the procedure.

"We initially targeted 250 cats from Setiabudi and Tebet sub-districts. However, because this program focused only on local male cats, we fell slightly short of the target, though the turnout was still excellent," he noted.

Puji Rahayu, a cat owner from Karet Urban Village, welcomed the free sterilization program, saying it provides valuable support for cat owners and efforts to control the stray cat population.

She said the stray cat population is difficult to control, adding that many cat lovers took the opportunity to bring stray cats to the event for sterilization.

"Cat populations grow very quickly, so we're trying to control their numbers through sterilization. Hopefully, similar programs will allow us to sterilize even more cats in the future, especially female cats," she added.