In late November 2025, the Jakarta provincial government officially adopted a regulation banning the sale, slaughter and consumption of meat of certain animals – particularly dogs and cats – under the town’s jurisdiction.
The regulation, referred to as Peraturan Gubernur 36/2025 (Regulation of the Governor No. 36 of 2025), entered into force on November 24, 2025.
According to its articles, the trade and consumption of live animals, raw meat or processed products from animals classified as rabies carriers is prohibited.
Scope of the prohibition
Although dogs and cats are a very powerful goal species, the scope of the regulation is broader.
The law defines “animals carrying rabies” (HPR in Indonesian) and covers not only dogs and cats, but additionally other animals resembling monkeys, bats, civets and animals with the same classification.
This implies that the ban generally goals to forestall the consumption or trade of animals that pose a risk to public health, especially within the case of zoonotic diseases resembling rabies.
Motivation
The driving force behind the regulation is public health concerns, particularly the danger of rabies, a dangerous, potentially fatal disease. Officials said the ban is a component of Jakarta’s commitment to maintaining a safer, more modern and more humane city.
At a gathering with animal welfare advocates in October 2025, the town’s governor pledged to implement a ban inside a month.
The regulation also welcomes those that fight animal cruelty and the illegal trade in pets, lots of which could have been stolen or sold to fulfill demand for dog and cat meat.
Enforcement
The recent regulation provides clear penalties for people violating the ban. First-time offenders will probably be given a written warning and any animals or meat of their possession could also be confiscated, especially in the event that they show signs of rabies.
Repeat offenders face more severe administrative sanctions, including closing their business or revoking their business license.
The Regulation subsequently goals to each discourage individuals from trading and consuming dog or cat meat and disrupt the operation of establishments that cash in on such trade.
Reactions
The ban marks a major departure from practices that, while not widespread across Indonesia, still exist amongst some communities in Jakarta and elsewhere.
For some, eating dog and cat meat is a component of a neighborhood tradition or is seen as a source of relatively low cost protein. However, the brand new regulation challenges these customs, prioritizing public health and animal welfare.
Animal rights organizations and lots of city residents welcomed the move as an emblem of progress and modernization.
On the opposite hand, some sellers and individuals who may depend on the trade – legally or illegally – may resist change, which may result in tensions and enforcement challenges.
Implications for Jakarta’s future
By issuing and enforcing this ban, Jakarta could set a precedent for other provinces and cities in Indonesia. This principle supports national efforts to cut back the danger of zoonotic diseases and is consistent with growing international pressure for stronger protections for companion animals.
The success of the regulation depends largely on effective enforcement and public cooperation. If properly implemented, the ban could lead on to a discount within the illegal trade in dog and cat meat, higher protection for pets and reduced risks to public health.
However, this variation might also trigger a backlash from marginalized communities that previously earned or lived on dog and cat meat.
Ensuring these communities take part in the transition – perhaps through livelihood support or alternative income opportunities – will probably be crucial to avoid stigmatization or a resurgence of underground trafficking.
A turning point
The enactment of Governor’s Order 36/2025 is greater than only a public health measure. It reflects growing urban and social awareness in Jakarta about animal welfare, modern public standards and responsibility towards living beings.
Once the regulation comes into effect, it’s going to test whether Indonesian society – and Jakarta’s residents particularly – is prepared for a future during which dogs and cats are valued as companions fairly than as food sources.
This is a moment that would transform Jakarta’s relationship with animals, raise public health standards and reinforce the principle that modern cities must balance human needs with compassion and respect for all creatures.
