Indonesia's agriculture ministry pushes for more responsible dog and cat breeding
If you keep a dog or a cat, this news from the Ministry of Agriculture is worth your attention. On Tuesday, 6 October 2026, the ministry held a focus group discussion (FGD) in Jakarta to draft guidelines for applying animal welfare to dog and cat breeding businesses.
I Ketut Wirata, Director of Veterinary Public Health at the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health, explained the reason: demand for dogs and cats as pets keeps rising, and breeding is now done not only by businesses but also by communities and individuals. The ministry wants this growth to follow the principles of animal health and welfare.
According to Wirata, responsible breeding must take into account the condition of the mother, the health of the offspring, basic needs, nutrition and natural behavior. The risks highlighted include overusing breeding females, improper reproductive management, inadequate facilities, and inbreeding that is not managed well, since it raises the risk of genetic problems in the offspring. The ministry also stressed the need to prevent mass breeding that neglects welfare, where space, sanitation, nutrition, health care and opportunities for natural behavior are easily overlooked.
The legal basis is Agriculture Minister Regulation No. 32 of 2025 on the Implementation of Animal Welfare and Agriculture Minister Regulation No. 34 of 2025 on Risk-Based Business Licensing in the Agriculture Sector. The technical guidelines being drafted are expected to cover good breeding practices, identification of health risks, animal welfare and zoonoses, and guidance and supervision. Wirata also asked FGD participants to give detailed input from field experience so the guidelines stay realistic.
I see this as an encouraging step. If you plan to buy a puppy or a kitten, it is worth asking first how the mother is cared for.
Source: ANTARA News
I Ketut Wirata, Director of Veterinary Public Health at the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health, explained the reason: demand for dogs and cats as pets keeps rising, and breeding is now done not only by businesses but also by communities and individuals. The ministry wants this growth to follow the principles of animal health and welfare.
According to Wirata, responsible breeding must take into account the condition of the mother, the health of the offspring, basic needs, nutrition and natural behavior. The risks highlighted include overusing breeding females, improper reproductive management, inadequate facilities, and inbreeding that is not managed well, since it raises the risk of genetic problems in the offspring. The ministry also stressed the need to prevent mass breeding that neglects welfare, where space, sanitation, nutrition, health care and opportunities for natural behavior are easily overlooked.
The legal basis is Agriculture Minister Regulation No. 32 of 2025 on the Implementation of Animal Welfare and Agriculture Minister Regulation No. 34 of 2025 on Risk-Based Business Licensing in the Agriculture Sector. The technical guidelines being drafted are expected to cover good breeding practices, identification of health risks, animal welfare and zoonoses, and guidance and supervision. Wirata also asked FGD participants to give detailed input from field experience so the guidelines stay realistic.
I see this as an encouraging step. If you plan to buy a puppy or a kitten, it is worth asking first how the mother is cared for.
Source: ANTARA News
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