PETS IN INDONESIA: TAIL-LESS CATS, SINGING DOGS AND MUSLIM DISLIKE OF THEM

PETS IN INDONESIA

Tacua, a large species of cicada native to Malaysia ,Indonesia, Singapore, and sometimes kept as a pet

In Indonesia, some people keep monkeys as pets. Others keep pet sharks in ocean pens.Poor people sometimes catch sparrows and put them in makeshift cages they make themselves. Ragged dogs that look as if they are of the same breed are everywhere in Bali. In much of Bali, property is not defined by a formal title. The dogs know the limits of their owner's property

As a rule though keeping pets not as common in Indonesia as it is in the west. Most people are struggling to put food on the table for themselves and could never consider allocating part of their budget to the care and feeding of a cat or dog. Animals owned by rural families are raised for their meat, eggs, milk, and other by-products. Raising household pets is not really part of Indonesian culture, except for birds. The idea of cats or dogs being part of the family, with free access to homes, beds, sofas and table scraps, is alien to most Indonesians. [Source: expat.or.id]

However, attitudes towards pets are changing among middle- and upper-class families in urban areas. Some wealthy Indonesians prize purebred cats, dogs and birds not only as pets, but also as status symbols of newly acquired wealth. A Persian cat that must be kept in an air-conditioned room is certainly a luxury. Most Indonesians that have pet dogs and cats feed them rice and ikan asin (salted fish).

A survey of pets in 2005 found that birds are the most popular household pet in the sample population. In the five major cities studied — Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Bandung and Semarang — 21.8 percent of households surveyed kept a bird, compared with 16.6 percent keeping a chicken, 9.5 percent a fish, 3.4 percent a cat, and 2.7 percent a dog. [Source: Paul Jepson, Richard J. Ladle, Oryx, October 4, 2005]

The people of Sulawesi raise two kinds of cicada: one for frying and eating and another for fighting. The fighting cicadas are sold in tiny cages by small boys. Their fighting ability is linked with tone of their song and great sums are bet on the fights which usually take place on the tables of small restaurants. Some Chinese and Balinese are into fighting crickets. [Source: "Ring of Fire" by Lawrence and Lorne Blair, Bantam Books, New York ♢]

There are a lot of stray cats in Jakarta. Cats are viewed more favorably than dogs by Muslims. Injuring a cat, even accidentally is considered bad luck. Indonesians do not routinely spay (neuter) pets and vets may not recommend it. Bali Animal Welfere Association (www.bawabali.org) is an organization that helps spay, neuter and vaccinate dogs on Bali.

Muslim and Local Views on Dogs in Indonesia

New Guinea singing dog

Another important point to consider in the discussion of dogs in Indonesia is how Muslims view them. In Islam, dogs are considered unclean and haram because they groom their anuses. If a Muslim is touched by a dog's nose or licked by a dog, they are considered unclean.

Many household staff will not work in a house with a dog. Others can tolerate the dog as long as they don't have to bathe, feed or care for it. Some find it highly insulting to have to clean up after a dog. Conversely, some household staff, even if they are Muslim, enjoy the family dog and have no problem caring for it. To avoid problems later on, explain to prospective staff before hiring them that you have a dog or cat, and what their duties regarding pet care will be. If you feel that a prospective employee does not want to care for your pet, it would be best to hire someone else.

One traveler posted: There are not many dogs seen on the streets here in Jakarta. In fact, I don't see any. Indonesians don't feed strays like people in the U.S. might. And dogs are not welcome in the house. Dog owners in Jakarta tend to not walk them in public. Owners tend to not to let their dogs go up to people and lick them. That would be considered ultra-filthy. [Source: http://drsophiayin.com, 2009]

Ethnic groups in Indonesia that raise dogs are usually Balinese (who believe that a dog's bark scares away bad spirits), Batak or people in Indonesian Christians or ethnic Chinese. Batak and people in teh Manado area eat them.

Woman Acquitted of Blasphemy for Taking Dog into West Javan Mosque

In Cibinong, an Indonesian woman, Suzethe Margareth, was acquitted of blasphemy charges after bringing a dog into a mosque. A panel of judges at the Cibinong District Court ruled that she could not be held criminally responsible due to a diagnosed mental disorder. Presiding judge Indra Meinantha Vidi stated that her actions were linked to her psychiatric condition. [Source: Associated Press, February 5, 2020]

The case followed the circulation of a video in July 2020 showing a dog running inside a mosque in Bogor in West Java while Margareth argued with worshippers. Public reaction, including pressure from conservative groups, led to police bringing the case to court. The dog involved was later chased out of the mosque and died after being struck by a vehicle.

Blasphemy is a criminal offense in Indonesia and can carry a prison sentence of up to five years. Rights organizations, including Amnesty International, criticized the prosecution, arguing that the situation should have been addressed as a mental health matter rather than a criminal case.

Rare 'Singing' Dogs Found Alive and Well in Papua

A rare wild canine known as the New Guinea singing dog has been found surviving in remote highland areas of Papua, on the western, Indonesia-side of New Guinea . The animal is known for its unusual vocalizations, which include harmonic howls often compared to yodeling or whale-like sounds. [Source: Nathan Howes, Weather Network, September 7, 2020]

The species was first documented in 1897 in Papua New Guinea at elevations of about 2,100 meters. For decades, it was believed to be nearly extinct due to habitat loss and interbreeding with domestic dogs. However, a 2016 expedition identified a small population of wild highland dogs in Indonesia’s Papua region, marking the first confirmed sighting in roughly 50 years.

Researchers returned in 2018 to collect biological samples, including blood and hair, to determine whether these animals were closely related to the original singing dogs. Genetic analysis by scientists from the National Institutes of Health and Texas A&M University found that the highland dogs share a strong genetic link with captive singing dogs.

The findings suggest that the wild population could help restore genetic diversity to the small number of singing dogs held in captivity—estimated at about 200 individuals, descended from a limited group collected in the 1970s. Researchers are considering conservation breeding programs to support the long-term survival of the species.

Tail-Less or Short-Tailed Cats in Indonesia

Across parts of Indonesia, especially in coastal and island communities, many free-roaming cats display unusual tail shapes. Observers commonly report tails that are short, kinked, curled, or reduced to stubs rather than long and straight. This trait is particularly noticeable in tourist areas such as Gili Trawangan, where visitors often remark on the high number of cats with irregular tails. Local residents generally state that the animals are born this way and are not intentionally harmed. The cats are typically semi-feral, living around villages, markets, and beaches while relying partly on human tolerance for food. [Source: travelswithkylie.blogspot.jp February 13, 2011; expat.or.id]

The distribution of these cats is not limited to a single island but appears across multiple regions, including Lombok, Java, and Papua. Similar tail variations have also been observed in other parts of Asia, including Singapore, suggesting a broader regional pattern. In many Indonesian communities, cats are not formally owned but are loosely associated with households or neighborhoods. They often serve practical roles, such as controlling rodents, while remaining largely independent. As a result, breeding occurs freely without controlled selection.

Physical characteristics of these cats often include small, lean bodies, relatively large eyes, and agile movement suited to tropical environments. Some accounts describe them as resembling or sharing traits with Southeast Asian or jungle-adapted cats. Their tails vary widely even within the same litter, indicating a mix of genetic expressions. Straight-tailed cats do exist but are less common in certain local populations. The variation contributes to the perception that unusual tails are the norm rather than the exception.

Local attitudes toward these cats are generally tolerant rather than interventionist. Residents often deny any practices of cutting or damaging tails, emphasizing that the animals are naturally born with these features. Tourists frequently question whether injury or cruelty is involved, but consistent local explanations point to natural causes. The prevalence of the trait within dense cat populations supports this view. In many areas, the cats coexist with humans without formal veterinary care or breeding control.

Examples from regions such as Papua indicate that similar cats may have been introduced historically for pest control. In some cases, local stories suggest links to imported cats from nearby regions like Australia. These populations also show bent or shortened tails, reinforcing the idea that the trait is widespread and persistent. Despite variations in color and size, the tail characteristic remains a defining feature. Overall, short- or kinked-tailed cats form a recognizable and common part of Indonesia’s urban and rural animal landscape.

Theories on the Origin of Tail-Less or Short-Tailed Cats in Indonesia

One widely cited explanation for the existence of tail-less or short-tailed cats in Indonesia is genetic inheritance linked to regional cat populations such as the Japanese Bobtail. These cats naturally have short or kinked tails due to a hereditary trait. It is believed that cats with similar genetics may have spread through Southeast Asia via historical trade routes. Over time, interbreeding in small or isolated populations could have increased the frequency of the trait. This would explain why entire local populations show similar tail variations. [Source: travelswithkylie.blogspot.jp February 13, 2011; expat.or.id]

Another common theory focuses on inbreeding within dense, localized cat populations. In many Indonesian towns and islands, cats do not roam far and tend to mate within limited groups. This increases the likelihood of recessive genetic traits, such as tail deformities, appearing more frequently. Over generations, these traits can become widespread within a community. This explanation is supported by the high variability of tail shapes, from slight kinks to very short stubs.

Historical introduction of cats during colonial or trade periods has also been suggested. Some accounts propose that cats were brought by European colonists, including the Dutch, or by traders from China, India, or Japan. In certain areas, such as Papua, cats were reportedly introduced specifically to control rodent populations. If these founding populations carried genes for unusual tails, the trait could have spread widely among their descendants. Environmental adaptation and uncontrolled breeding would have reinforced the pattern.

Selective human preference may also play a role. In some communities, cats with short or kinked tails are believed to be better hunters, particularly of rats. As a result, people may be more likely to feed or tolerate these cats, indirectly encouraging the survival and reproduction of individuals with the trait. Over time, this informal selection could increase the proportion of short-tailed cats. Unlike formal breeding, this process occurs passively through everyday human behavior.

Less substantiated explanations include environmental factors such as injury, poor nutrition, or accidents. While some tails may indeed be damaged through fights or urban hazards, these factors alone cannot explain the consistent and widespread presence of similar tail shapes from birth. Folklore and anecdotal stories—ranging from wartime events to cultural myths—also circulate but lack scientific support. Overall, genetic inheritance combined with localized breeding patterns remains the most widely accepted explanation.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources:“Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East/Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings, 1993; “Culture and Customs of Indonesia” by Jill Forshee, Greenwood Press, 2006; National Geographic, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Encyclopedia.com, Library of Congress, Indonesia Tourism website (indonesia.travel), Indonesia government websites, Live Science, The Conversation, The New Yorker, Time, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Google AI, Wikipedia, The Guardian and various websites, books and other publications.

Last updated April 2026