JAAN FAQ | JAKARTA ANIMAL AID NETWORK

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is JAAN’s Mission Statement?

JAAN is dedicated to Improving the Welfare of Animals in Indonesia and working towards Wildlife Protection.

Is JAAN a Non-Profit, Non-Governmental Organization?

Yes, Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in January 2008 to Protect Indonesian Wildlife and Stray Domestic Pets.

JAAN is a member of the World Society for the Protection of Animals.

What JAAN strives to do:

End illegal wildlife trade
End the suffering of wildlife in captivity and promote rehabilitation and release back in to the wild
Collaborate with the Indonesian Government/Forestry Dept. to rescue wildlife from captivity, extinction, and exploitation.
Monitor the wildlife trade and push the Indonesian Gov’t Authorities to arrest animal traders and prosecute them
Raise Awareness and Educate people about Animal Protection and Welfare
Run Sterilization Programs for Stray Cats and Dogs
Rehabilitate and Re-home Stray, Abandoned and Abused Pets

Aren’t there Laws to protect Wildlife in Indonesia?

There is a law that protects specific types of wild animals in Indonesia, namely endangered species. JAAN fully supports Indonesia’s commitment to enforcing this law known as National Law No. 5 (1990) that prohibits the trade in protected wildlife. JAAN encourages Indonesia to enact laws that would protect all wild animals.

Indonesia also has an animal welfare act, KUHP Pasal 302. This act has not been updated since 1930. But JAAN strives to use this law to end various cruelty to animals cases.

Who are the JAAN founders and how many volunteers are there?

JAAN was founded in January 2008 by Femke den Haas, Karin Franken, Natalie Stewart

12 Employees on Payroll, including 1 Veterinarian

30+ Volunteers

Annual Operating Expenses of $ 150,000

Office in Cijantung

Sanctuaries in the Thousand Islands

Where does JAAN get their funding?

JAAN receives its funding and support from Individual Donors

JAAN is currently pursuing businesses for corporate sponsorship

JAAN also receives some funding/grants from various International Animal Charities

How can I make a donation to JAAN? Do you have a bank account for bank to bank transfers?

Yes! Thanks for asking. You can deposit to JAAN bank account or make a bank to bank electronic funds transfer.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR PAYMENT:

Our Bank Routing Info is:

Jaringan Bantuan Satwa Jarkarta – Bank Mandiri, Jl. Raya Cilandak KKO No. 5 Account # 1270005197619. Swift Code: BMRIIDJA. Or for BCA # 0712136241 name: Sundari

Please note your name and what your donation is for.

JAAN’s WORK WITH WILDLIFE:

What Wildlife Programs does JAAN have and what do they do?

Rescue, rehabilitate and release the Brahminy Kite and White Bellied Sea Eagle within the Thousand Islands (since 2004)
Protection projects for Sea Turtles within the Thousand Islands
Monitoring wildlife trade; visiting birdmarkets, compiling information about traders and animals for sale
Relocation of Wildlife that can not be released into the wild to specialized rehabilitation centres/sanctuaries.

What has JAAN accomplished for Wildlife since it began in January 2008? Facts:

Rescued, Rehabilitated 69 Brahminy Kites from Illegal Pet-Trade and Released 47 into the Wild, Care for 20+ Kites that can not be released
Rescued, Rehabilitated 15 White Bellied Sea Eagles from Illegal Pet-Trade and Released 9 into the Wild
Educated Communities about nature conservation within the Thousands Islands National Park, where a Kite Sanctuary was developed in 2004
Sponsored Beach Clean Up and Plastic Recycling Business
Developed a Sea Turtle Protection Program
Rescued, Released 32 Macaques Monkeys at Penjaliran Barat Island Sanctuary
Tracked Illegal Wildlife trade in Jakarta with the Indonesian Forestry Dept.
Assisted Indonesian Government Agencies in Confiscating Tiger Skins and some protected (live) primates, also helped arrest 9 Illegal Animal Traders
Ongoing monitoring of the illegal wildlife circuit, assisted by volunteers
Built a Seapen in Karimun Jawa for Dolphin rehabilitation
Confiscated nearly 40 Topeng Monyet from the streets of Jakarta

Please tell me what JAAN Does for Orangutans.

There are two species of Orangutans: the Orangutan species from Borneo and the Orangutan from Sumatra. They differ in coloration mostly; orangutans from Kalimantan are much darker.

The Orangutan rehabilitation centre is in Nyaru Menteng, Central Kalimantan

The Orangutan Rehabilitation program in North Sumatra – SOCP.

JAAN strives to rescue orangutans kept in captivity and to relocate them back to their original habitat, working together with the two centres above.

Please tell me what JAAN Does for Gibbon Monkeys.

Indonesia counts many different and endemic Gibbon species. Depending on their origin (Java, Kalimantan or Sumatra), JAAN relocates them to programs run by an organization named Kalaweit.

Please tell me what JAAN Does for Raptors.

There are Raptor species that live in mountain areas and there are Raptor species that live in coastal areas. The coastal species are the ones JAAN rehabilitates and releases (The Brahminy Kite and the White Bellied Sea Eagle). JAAN now cares for 28 rescued Raptors on Kotok island within the Thousand Islands. JAAN runs a Raptor Rehabilitation Centre on Kotok Island on borrowed land. The owner supports JAAN in that way and JAAN is very grateful for that.

The Mountain Raptor species, (like for example the endemic and critically endangered Javan Hawks Eagle) are forwarded to the rehabilitation program in Panaruban, Lembang area.

Please tell me what JAAN Does for Primates – Slow Lorises.

These primates are nocturnal and very shy and unfortunately the trade in them is pervasive. The Slow Lorises are often sold on the streets, for example at traffic lights. They are small primates and very cute so people will buy them often as a ‘toy’ for their children to play with. Their teeth will be cut beforehand by the trader to prevent them from biting with their small but sharp teeth, in which they carry a poison.

JAAN rescues Slow Lorises and relocates them to the Slow Loris Rehabilitation Program in Ciapus, Bogor.

Please tell me what JAAN Does for Macaques Monkeys.

There are two Macaque species in Indonesia: the Crab Eating Macaque and the Pig Tailed Macaque, and they do not NOT have protected status. In Indonesia, the live pet trade in Macaques is very active. All of the Macaques offered for sale have been caught in the wild. Not only the welfare of the primates is at stake here. The exploitation of these Macaques also has secondary, serious negative consequences for humans. Primates and humans share the same diseases and there are many cases of transferring diseases between captive primates and humans; for exampe tuberculosis, hepatitis and parasites. Captive primates can also seriously harm humans by their bites; when primates grow up in captivity, their natural instincts will result in aggrevsive behavior when they reach adulthood. It’s for this reason that many ex-owners of primates end up with serious bite wounds and want to get rid of their primate once they are not the cute babies they were when they purchased them.

Under CITES appendix 2 (CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The head office of CITES is in Switzerland), on an International level, they should be traded with permits only. Even local traders should obtain a permit from the forestry department. But this never happens in the primate pet trade circuit. JAAN runs a sanctuary for rescued Macaques on the Thousand Islands. 36 rescued Macaques have been socialized and relocated to a forested island where the monkeys can enjoy their freedom after spending time on chains and in small cages before their rescue. Since Macaques are terratorial, JAAN can’t just keep on relocating Macaques to this island. The Macaques that have been released all settled in their own groups (they formed three groups) and won’t tolerate new comers!

Why shouldn’t people buy Macaques Monkeys? What do I say to someone who sees nothing wrong with chaining it to a tree in their front yard, or owning one as a pet?

Macaques will never make good pets, as they are wild animals. As explained above, macaques can seriously harm humans and transfer diseases. Besides this, from an animal welfare aspect, it is very cruel to keep a primate in isolation, chained or caged. Primates are highly social and arboreal animals. Living in big social groups they are desperate for social contact. Keeping them on a chain will not only harm their general physical condition as they are not allowed to move around freely, but also their mental state will suffer. This often ends up in extreme frustration and distress; for example, primates will start self-mutilation out of frustration and depression.

Why aren’t there laws against trading Macaques or are they not enforced?

JAAN campaigns against the Topeng Monyet phenomena, in which Macaque monkeys are badly abused. JAAN wishes to campaign on a broader scale, also by pushing forward the Indonesian Law on Animal Welfare (KUHP Pasal 302) to end this suffering. This law was made by the Dutch in 1930 and has never been updated.

Macaques are also caught from the wild and exported for research abroad. JAAN wishes to end this cruelty.

What should I do if I see Monkeys dancing for money on the side of the roads?

Long tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and Pig Tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) do not have protected status in Indonesia.

These primates are therefore often seen openly for sale, kept in captivity, chained in peoples’ yards and used to perform tricks on the streets of Jakarta. Baby macaques are caught from the wild to be exploited daily in the busy streets of Jakarta; they are forced to wear gruesome masks, ride bicycles, and beg for money from every person passing by. Their handlers jerk the chains continually to prevent the monkey from sitting down and trying to rest. This phenomena is called ‘Topeng Monyet’ (Masked Monkey). The monkeys spend the rest of their time in small cages or black wooden boxes. Their teeth are cut to prevent them from biting, often leading to horrific infections.

JAAN needs your help to end this cruelty!

How you can help:

Please write us a letter stating why you feel that this cruelty should be ended and send this, by email to JAAN
If you see a monkey performing on the streets, report this to us. Please take a picture of the monkey (s), the person handling the monkey and don’t forget to mention the location. Please send your information and pictures to jakartaanimalaid@gmail.com or info@jakartaanimalaid.com
If you see a monkey chained or kept caged, please also report this to us. Don’t forget to include a picture, and mention the date and location.

JAAN is setting up a database of Topeng Monyet people and the primates they use in the hope we can end this torture.

How can I learn more about Macaques Monkeys and their Rehabilition?

Rehabilitation takes time and patience and good locations for release need to be found. If you wish to learn more about the rehabilitation processes please do contact Femke or Benvika at JAAN.

Does JAAN help with other Wildlife Species that are Confiscated?

Yes, JAAN assists with confiscation of other wildlife species and these animals are usually sent to the Cikananga Rescue Centre in Sukabumi. This rescue centre has difficulties with funding at the moment and JAAN trys to support their vital work.

What does JAAN do for Sea Turtles?

The main threats towards the survival of sea turtles are;

Waste; plastic is often mistaken for jellyfish which is a food source for sea turtles; the turtle will eat the plastic and die.
Humans collecting the eggs for food
Humans catching and killing live specimens of hawks bill turtles for their beautiful shells which they will use for bracelets etc
Development of coast lines; bright lights and noise will prevent the sea turtles to return to their natal beach to lay eggs

Within the Thousand Islands the Hawk’s Bill Turtle can still be found. This turtle is highly endangered and JAAN strives to help protect them by the following methods:

Removing dead woodlogs from beaches (they block sea turtles from laying their eggs on the beach)
Raising awareness about the status of this sea turtle and how local people can help to protect them by distributing posters and providing presentations
Protection of turtle nests from predators; sea turtles dig a hole on the white beaches and we will fence off the nest to prevent human and also animal predation.
Promoting better waste management; recycling and stop littering in the sea
Assisting the national park authorities with the rehabilitation of wounded sea turtles
Advising the national authorities on coast development

Does JAAN Support a Beach Clean Up/Recycle Merchandise Program?

Yes, JAAN organizes various beach clean up days with local communities. JAAN has encouraged one local community to start a Recycle Merchandise business. You can buy recycled plastic/garbage merchandise at the JAAN office and help support this worthwhile project. Everyone wins: the environment, the animals, the people learning new skills in making the merchandise and JAAN!

JAAN’s WORK WITH DOMESTIC ANIMALS:

What has JAAN accomplished for Domestic Animals since it began?

Rehabilitated and Re-Homed over 500Stray Dogs and Cats
Educated Schools, Universities and Communities on Animal Welfare
Sterilized over 1000 Stray Cats and over 300 Stray Dogs

What does JAAN do for Domestic Animals, Horses, Dogs, Cats?

JAAN is committed to improving the lives of domestic animals in Jakarta through educating people on ethical treatment of companion animals. JAAN encourages active community support and involvement in improving animal welfare in Indonesia. JAAN also rescues carriage horses, rehabilitates and re-homes stray pets and sponsors stray cat sterilization programs.

Stray cats are a problem in Jakarta. Does JAAN support Stray sterilizations?

Yes, JAAN is in favor of sterilization and JAAN often conducts sterilization drives for stray cats. The cats are caught with special trapping cages and then provided medical treatment and sterilized. The cats are nursed back to strength before being released in a safe area, preferably in the area where the cat was captured. The cats are also tagged before release; either microchipped or their left ear will be tagged to show they have been ‘done’/de-sexed/spayed/neutered.

Please tell me what JAAN Does for Stray Dogs and Cats.

How can I adopt a dog?

JAAN allows people to adopt a dog if they can provide a loving and forever home. The new owner must be committed to providing veterinary care, and everyday love and care. In addition, we strongly encourage the owner to take their dog with them if they move from Jakarta. JAAN strives to find a suitable dog that fits within the lifestyle of the potential adopter. Potential adopters need to fill out the JAAN adoption form after which a home visit will be conducted. Once a dog has been adopted, JAAN will also do a second survey any time afterwards to ensure everything is happy for the dog and new family/owner.

JAAN asks the adopter to provide a donation for JAAN and pay for the costs of sterilization and vaccination. JAAN never asks a set price or amount because we don’t want to be seen as ‘selling dogs’. An important caveat is that the dog still belongs to JAAN after adoption meaning that JAAN will take the dog back if there is any form of mistreatment or if the arrangement is not working out.

Does JAAN get Pedigree Stray Dogs?

JAAN often receives pedigree dogs; most of them ‘fashion victims’ meaning that people had purchased them only because of their breed but had no idea how to care for a dog. JAAN also receives many pedigree dogs dumped by the ‘puppy mills’. Older females that had been used for commercial breeding but are of no use anymore get dumped in the streets, or suffer in cages. For example, a pet shop owner left 35 dogs to starve to death when his business went bankrupt. JAAN was only able to rescue the last remaining 5 – the rest died horribly in their cages from lack of food and water. For those 5 Pedigree dogs, JAAN was able to give them better lives than they ever could have imagined. JAAN also rescued a female pedigree Siberian Husky and a female pedigree Dalmation dumped on the streets. Both appeared to be victims of puppy mills- abandoned adult dogs that are useless to the breeder because they cannot produce any more litters.

How can I foster a dog?

JAAN is very much in need of foster homes; if you are interested in helping a dog and having a companion at home until a permanent home is found, please contact Karin or Wulan. Please understand that most rescued dogs have been traumatised in some sort of way and need treatment and care to get them back to shape, socialized and full of confidence. This needs dedication and most of all PATIENCE.

I’m here just for 2 – 3 years. Can I adopt a dog – I’ll find a home for it when I leave so I won’t be a burden to JAAN. Is that OK?

No, JAAN only agrees to adopt out a dog when it is a forever home. No dog can be re-homed to any new location without the permission and knowledge of JAAN. A temporary family with no intent of taking a dog with them when they leave Jakarta should consider fostering a dog, as it is a much better option. Dogs can be “fostered” anywhere from 2 weeks, 2 months, 6 months – depending on how attractive the dog is for adoption and how many people are interested in permanently adopting the dog. Taking a dog into your home as a family member for two or three years and then handing them off to a friend or a staff member when you leave is considered cruelty to the animal.

Why do some Indonesians make dogs stay in cages all the time?

They don’t know that this is bad for the dog; they just see the dog as a status symbol. It is very important to explain to them the negative aspects of keeping a dog in a cage. Often they don’t know what type of care dogs need and have little or no knowledge about animal welfare in general. Also, it’s likely that they don’t want to be bothered with cleaning up behind their dogs.

It is our duty to explain that dogs need companionship as they are pack animals. They need freedom of movement, regular exercise, healthy food and fresh water. We try to tell them these facts in a non-accusatory, non-threatening manner.

What can I do about my neighbors who have a dog or a monkey in a cage?

Talk to them! Tell them this is a crime against the welfare of the animal as isolation and restriction of movment causes physical debilitation and mental stress. It might also be bad for the owners as the monkey or dog will become frustrated, aggressive and might start to bark the whole day. JAAN has brochures in Bahasa Indonesia explaining this. You can get a copy and give it to your neighbors, RT, etc.

What do I do if I see a stray dog or an injured animal? Can I bring it to JAAN?

JAAN is not a shelter but JAAN can assist in rescuing, providing medical care, teaching how to care for the animal, and helping to find a new home. JAAN is dependent on Foster Homes for rescued animals and there is a limit on the amount of animals JAAN can receive.

JAAN has some Cool T-shirts and stuff. Are these items for sale?

Yes- you can support JAAN by buying our T-shirtsand recycled merchandise, etc.

Why isn’t JAAN a Shelter? Where are all the dogs?

JAAN doesn’t run a shelter for various reasons;

JAAN isn’t financially capable of running a shelter at this time. Properly run shelters are time consuming and very expensive; with our small team of mostly volunteers and limited financial resources, we are not able to run a shelter.
JAAN strongly believes that dogs benefit much more by being fostered than by being kept in a cage in a shelter. Dogs that are fostered tend to be adopted more easily, as they don’t spend time in a cage but in a ‘normal, home-like situation’ where they are able to gain confidence, strength, social skills, practice being house trained and become accustomed to being around people..
JAAN does support the local animal shelter; Pondok Pengayom Satwa, this shelter has been active since the 1980’s and there are about 100 dogs there.
JAAN’s dogs available for adoption are usually fostered by JAAN members. Some dogs stay at the JAAN office until they are adopted or at the ACJ if they are undergoing medical treatment before adoption.

Can I help out at the Shelter? I want to help animals directly.

Yes you can help by walking the dogs at JAAN’s office and also at the local animal shelter; you can visit the shelter together with JAAN staff. At the shelter you can also help with washing the dogs and by promoting them by passing on the word to other people.

How can I volunteer at JAAN? Do you need any help?

Think about how much time you have and how committed you are. JAAN staff is ready to train you in several aspects of animal rescue activities, awareness programs etc. We need to assess your skills first and then find the best task for you.

Does Animal Clinic Jakarta give free Vet Care to Strays?

No, but ACJ does help animals under JAAN care “at cost” (no profit). People bringing in individual strays, not through JAAN, will pay the normal cost of Vet Services.

Is Animal Clinic Jakarta expensive? What do they offer?

ACJ is not more expensive than other animal clinics in Jakarta; for details of services offered please visit the website www.animalclinicjakarta.com

Do you offer dog training programs? My dog (and I) could use some obedience!

Yes ! Please ask for information at the ACJ front desk. Dogs that are adopted through JAAN will be provided free assistance with training whenever possible through JAAN.