Dog & Cat Meat Trade Banned in Sulawesi: Major Win for Animal Welfare
Authorities in Parigi Moutong Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, have issued directives prohibiting the trade, slaughter, and distribution of dogs and cats for human consumption, a move hailed by animal welfare organizations as a critical step in dismantling a widespread and brutal practice. The circulars mandate enforcement and monitoring by local authorities, targeting a key trafficking route supplying markets in North Sulawesi.
For decades, Parigi Moutong has served as a corridor for the transport of dogs and cats destined for slaughterhouses and live animal markets, where thousands of animals are killed each month. The new regulations aim to disrupt this supply chain at its source, according to advocates.
The directives require local authorities to actively monitor and shut down illegal activities related to the dog and cat meat trade, and empower communities to report violations. This emphasis on community involvement is intended to translate policy into effective on-the-ground enforcement.
The action follows investigations conducted in June 2025 by Lady Freethinker, which exposed the conditions within Sulawesi’s live-animal markets. The investigations documented animals confined in unsanitary conditions, subjected to witnessing the slaughter of others, and experiencing extreme fear and suffering. These findings prompted the launch of PROJECT Sulawesi in July 2025, a collaborative initiative involving Lady Freethinker, Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN), and Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA).
PROJECT Sulawesi focuses on dismantling the infrastructure supporting the trade, rather than simply reacting to its consequences. The initiative’s strategy includes closing trafficking routes through local and provincial bans, strengthening enforcement in key regions like Parigi Moutong, and intercepting the trade by building and staffing border checkpoints. A key component of the project is a vaccination program aimed at inoculating 70% of the dog population against rabies, a disease exacerbated by the dog meat trade and a public health concern.
According to advocates, the directives in Parigi Moutong are a direct result of this strategic approach. They report a decrease in the number of dogs and cats being stolen and sold, and a corresponding reduction in the number of animals entering markets and slaughterhouses. A 4.8 magnitude earthquake recently jolted the nearby city of Parigi, Central Sulawesi, and was felt as far as Poso, according to Tempo.co English, but authorities have not indicated any impact on enforcement of the new directives.
Indonesia recently signaled a potential surge in durian exports to China following the opening of that market, according to the Jakarta Globe, but this economic development is unrelated to the animal welfare initiatives in Central Sulawesi. Illegal gold mining operations in Central Sulawesi forests were recently halted by Indonesian authorities, as reported by ANTARA News, demonstrating a broader commitment to enforcing regulations within the region.
Advocates state that the effort will continue until the trade is completely eradicated, with no dogs or cats stolen, transported, or subjected to slaughter. The Weather Channel reports current weather conditions in Parigi Moutong, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, but this information is not directly related to the ongoing efforts to end the dog and cat meat trade.