On Sunday afternoon, November 22, 2020, we trapped street cats living in the middle of Jakarta concrete jungle to be sterilized (Trap Neuter / Spay Return or TNR).
17 cats were trapped, consisting of 13 male and 4 female cats. We suspected 5 cats to have flu. It turned out that 16 cats are sick. Only 1 cat was healthy and could be sterilized, as the vet from LeoNVets clinic in Bekasi reported.
All 15 cats at LeoNVets clinic are sick. They suffer from flu, gingivitis, eye inflammation, mouth sores, respiratory problems. Similar to Mr Genki (Sadly, he passed away on Monday, 30 Nov 2020), one of the cats, Thor, is malnourished and in a very bad shape. They are all currently undergoing treatment. They will be sterilized if their clinical condition is deemed possible even they are still treated. They will also be dewormed.
3 cats have undergone a haematology test, one of which is Thor who will also undergo a blood chemistry test. The blood test of 2 cats, Ova and Trika, were negative for the virus. However, it was found that the bacterial infections were quite high and there is a symptom of anaemia in Ova. So Ova was immediately given a blood supplement, while Trika was given extra vitamins.
Thor’s condition resembles Mr Genki. He was old and had to have an IV because of dehydration. He also had chronic gingivitis and mouth inflammation (FCGS). Thor was also thin due to malnutrition, got yeast infected and wounds on his legs. The haematology test result of Thor showed high bacterial infection and anaemia. Because of severe dehydration, the doctor could not draw blood again for a blood chemistry test.
The two cats that were x-rayed were Joko and Samson. The x-rays showed that they were positive for pneumonia, and had to take the medicine for about 1-2 months. However, after two weeks of treatments, if their condition improves, they will be sterilized using an inhalation anaesthetic.
We will need to find a foster pawrent for them. We hope that they can also find adopters, so they don’t have to live on the streets and be exposed to pollution and cold winds again.
Their conditions have shown mixed signs of progress. Some cats have eaten less, and some have eaten more. Some also reported to have fought the flu better, no coughs, no sneezes and no nasal discharge. The vet cleans the eyes and nose every day and puts some cream on wounds.
One cat that was successfully sterilized, Tabby, was returned last Wednesday. Tabby had been dewormed. We hope Tabby will always stay healthy wherever he is.
What happens to them might be common with street cats but it is not natural. There is nothing natural about stray animals living on the streets and roaming around sick and wounded.
The concrete jungle of big cities can be very inhospitable to humans, especially for helpless animals like them. There is no source of clean water for drinking, no small wild animals like lizards for them to eat. Air pollution and waste everywhere. There are no shady trees for them to climb on to play and to use as a shelter. The hustle and bustle of a big city tend to ignore the existence of helpless animals.
We need you to help them by contributing to our TNR program and spread the word. You can also become foster pawrents for cats that are sick, pregnant or kittens.
Your contribution will be allocated to pay for their sterilization and hospitalization, as well as treatment of sick cats. It can be channelled through bank transfer, or by credit card, monthly or annually, through our website Catrescue.id.
CIMB Niaga Pintu Air Branch Office
Swift Code – BNIAIDJA
Account – 705516204400
Name – Aswini Rosita
You can also send your donation via DANA, GOPAY, LINK AJA and OVO at 0811343684. Please send the proof of transfer to info@catrescue.id with notes “TNR Menteng”. We will send a monthly report via email.
Thank you for your support, contribution and prayers to help street cats that live in downtown Jakarta!
