DACC Regional Event 2026: Building Multi-Stakeholder Conversation on Humane Dog and Cat Population Management in Indonesia

What happens when concerns about public health, animal welfare, community safety, and responsible pet ownership collide? Too often, the people facing these challenges work in isolation. On 10 June 2026, the Dog and Cat Coalition (DACC) and Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) brought together 71 participants from across Indonesia to change that in the DACC Regional Event 2026.

Representing government agencies, veterinarians, academics, animal welfare organizations, community groups, and businesses, participants gathered to launch the AfA Guidelines on Humane Response to Dog Population Issues in Indonesia and explore practical, evidence-based solutions to some of the most complex dog and cat population challenges facing communities today.

The event highlighted a simple but powerful message: sustainable solutions cannot be achieved by any one sector alone. Whether responding to concerns about free-roaming animals, rabies prevention, animal cruelty, pet abandonment, or overpopulation, meaningful progress depends on collaboration, shared responsibility, and a commitment to humane approaches.

Opening Remarks: From Global Progress to Local Action

Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Natasha Lee from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and Drh. I Ketut Wirata from the Director of Veterinary Public Health at the Directorate General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia.

Dr. Natasha reflected on the progress that has been made globally in moving away from outdated and ineffective "catch and kill" approaches towards more humane and evidence-based methods of managing dog and cat populations. She highlighted how changing societal attitudes towards companion animals have increased expectations for humane treatment and reinforced the need for context-specific solutions supported by collaboration across sectors.

Echoing this call for collaboration, Drh. I Ketut Wirata emphasized that dog and cat population management in Indonesia must be humane, science-based, and well-planned. He also highlighted that animal welfare should be viewed within the broader One Health and One Welfare framework. According to Drh. Wirata, meaningful progress requires collaboration between government, NGOs, academia, law enforcement, businesses, and civil society.

Lessons from the field and humane approaches to dog & cat population issues

The first session of the event featured presentations from the animal welfare, academic, and government sectors, providing participants with different perspectives on dog and cat population management in Indonesia.

Launching the AfA Guidelines on Humane Response to Dog Population Issues, Drh. Khalisya Anjani Putri (Cica) of the Dog and Cat Coalition, Asia for Animals Coalition, emphasized that addressing the root causes of issues is more effective than relying on reactive measures such as dog elimination. Drh. Karang of Bali Animal Welfare Association and Udayana University shared his experiences working with students and local communities to promote animal welfare and prevent cruelty, while Drh. Narendra from the Department of Agriculture and Food, Badung Regency presented the government's perspective on dog and cat population management, emphasizing the importance of One Health, vaccination, sterilization, education, and community participation.

The presentations were followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session, where speakers discussed the roles of different stakeholders in responding to animal welfare and public health concerns. The conversation highlighted the importance of coordination between government agencies, NGOs, veterinarians, communities, and other sectors, as well as the need for clear reporting and response mechanisms. Participants also raised common challenges from the field, including the responsibility of isolating suspected rabid dogs and limitations in emergency response capacity. Speakers agreed that effective solutions require shared responsibility, collaboration, and approaches tailored to local contexts.

Practicing coordinated and humane response to dog & cat population issues

The event's interactive workshop challenged participants to move beyond identifying problems and focus on what effective, coordinated responses could look like in practice.

Working in multi-stakeholder groups, participants explored some of the most common challenges affecting communities across Indonesia, including pet abandonment, cruelty towards stray animals, the dog meat trade, free-roaming animal concerns, irresponsible pet ownership, and overpopulation. Discussions focused on how different sectors can work together, clarify responsibilities, and strengthen communication to achieve long-term, sustainable outcomes.

One discussion explored concerns around feeding stray cats in neighborhoods and wet markets. Rather than treating feeders as part of the problem, participants examined how local residents, community leaders, market managers, and feeders could work together to support animal welfare while addressing community concerns. Elsa from Animal Friends Jogja shared the example of Peduli Kucing Pasar, an organized network that helps coordinate feeding efforts, supports Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, and promotes greater community awareness of animal welfare issues.

Across the workshop, a common theme emerged: humane and sustainable solutions are most effective when stakeholders work together. While the challenges may vary, humane and effective responses can be achieved by communicating, clearly defining roles of each stakeholder, involvement of communities, and a focus on prevention rather than reactive responses alone. 

Looking ahead

Many challenges discussed during the event did not stem solely from technical limitations, but also from misunderstandings, difference in priorities, and a lack of opportunities for stakeholders to engage with one another directly. This reinforces the value of continued dialogue beyond the event through regular opportunities for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and coordination—something that many participants expressed interest in pursuing.

We hope this event will pave the way forward for stronger partnerships between government agencies, NGOs, veterinarians, academics, businesses, and communities working toward humane, evidence-based, and sustainable approaches to dog and cat population management in Indonesia.