Any cat lover will know of Japan's famous 'cat islands' like Aoshima and Tashirojima. Known for their many feline residents, these destinations are a paradise for anyone who wants to cuddle up to some adorable cats.
Surprise, surprise – cat enthusiasts in Southeast Asia may soon have a new, dedicated cat island to visit. Jakarta's governor, Pramono Anung, intends to establish an island for stray cats in the Thousand Islands regency, which comprises a string of islands just off the capital's north coast.
Why the plans for a cat island? For one, it's an attempt to address Jakarta's growing stray cat population. It's caused a host of issues for the city, such as public disturbances, damage to property, not to mention an increased risk of diseases like rabies and toxoplasmosis. Jakarta's getting ahead of these issues with an aggressive sterilisation programme, but there's hope that the island will serve as a safe haven for the strays too, with cat rehabilitation facilities and a cat hospital.
Of course, they also hope that the island will become a tourism magnet. There are no details about the planned tourism facilities yet, but the main islands are already served by a regular ferry, and have parks, villages, camping sites, small hikes and scenic beaches to explore. We're keeping our fingers crossed that Jakarta's cat island will take after Tashirojima, which has accommodations for overnight stays. Because let's be frank, we want as much time as possible with all the charming felines.
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