Shocking Truth Of The Popular Animal Market In Jogja

Our trip to Indonesia brought us to a quaint city known as Yogyakarta, or Jogja for short. Thriving in Tourism due to its historical sights and sounds, and traditional lifestyles still maintained by the local folks, Jogja also provides much unorthodox attractions to behold. One of which we saw on a map was an Animal Market.

Some Rabbits in the animal market

Besides the constant influx of tourists, spending a little time exploring this city might just chance on something else. We were uncovering Cat cafes around Jogja and spoke to a few locals over coffee (we were fortunate to find some whom spoke English). And they pointed out a place named Pasty, which was coincidentally the name of the animal market we were looking for. We were in luck!

Finding The Animal Market

So we have already tried using the app GoJek for travelling around this city, however we couldn’t help but notice another form of transport (Jogja has a myriad to choose from). We finally decided to test out the rickshaw taxi, otherwise known as Becak by locals.

Source

 While in Jogja, Becak taxis are readily available almost anywhere, fares varying by distance and the drivers, maximum capacity of two adults. We mentioned Pasty and our driver knew exactly where to take us.

What To Expect

As our rickshaw pulled to a stop, we couldn’t see anything that resembled a market area. We confirmed with our Driver again of the venue and he assured us by directing us through a small parking lot. The view of shop-houses soon came in sight, followed by chirping and smorgasbord of animal noises. We must be at the right place.

One of the many entrances

If you’d ask any Singaporean for a place with the most Pet shops clustered together, the first venue that comes to mind is Serangoon North. Pasty Pets Market was evidently much more massive in terms of size, and unfortunately, the variety of animals for sale.

Pasty Pets and Plants Market, Jogja

What did we see at the animal market?

Animals For Sale

As Singaporeans, we were pretty much blown away by the animals that other countries actually permit as Pets. If these animals were in Singapore, it would be impossible for these Merchants to even own a physical shop for trade purposes. Here in Pasty Animal market, we saw Owls, Squirrels, Sugar-gliders, Snakes, Retiles, Bats, and even an otter. Yes, an otter. Our curious minds were running like clockwork now.

Friendly Otter with sad expression

Frankly speaking the market felt more like an unkempt zoo to us. Apart from unusual animals we do not get to see on an every-day basis, there were the other choices like Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Birds, Chickens and even Ducks. All of which included different species and breeds. If you did not know, Show Chickens and Pigeons are a thing in many other countries, and much of which could be found here at Patsy.

One of the many show chickens; young chicks

Young Barn Owl

Rows of shop houses 

Since Birds have always been favourite (according to locals), you can find shops with specially carved cages, accessories, and also pick-and-weigh bird feed shops (pick what you need, pay in accordance to weight). Last but not least, Cats and Dogs. 

From Robins to Finches to Parakeets, Pasty has them all... 

Paired Pigeons

Sickly looking Persian-mix Cat

The Truth And Shock Factor

Being around Jogja we have already noticed how this city is not as modernly developed, and streets aren’t as clean nor maintained. While some shops have kept their animals and areas as clean as possible with minimum resources, well, it was clear that time and the lack of business have eventually started to weigh down on many of these shops. If you thought animal cruelty of breeders is bad in Singapore, you’d be blown away as much as we have here at this animal market.

That's not a blanket, its a cluster of Guinea Pigs, and a Rabbit.

Paired Rabbits in tiny wire cages

Aside from the different exotic (in the eyes of a Singaporean) animals that were being sold, we came across the terrible living conditions of over-crowding; cages with Rabbits and Guinea Pigs resting side by side each other, barely even room to move about. Most Cats also had eye infections that were left untreated.

This little guy was really calling out

Monitor Lizard; A popular Pet here

Just when we were drowning in despair…

We stumbled upon these Chicks that are apparently dyed with natural colouring (said the shop owner). Green, Blue, Yellow, Pink. These colours that eventually fade off after a month or so. A form of aesthetics marketing? We could certainly presume so.

Dyed Chicks

Across them stood a cage of Budgerigars, huddled side by side and cramped on perches. It was hard to tell if they were sleepy, or actually ill.

Budgerigar Cage

The Review

Walking about the animal market we felt constant waves of our spirits getting swallowed alive. A lot animals looked sickly and some even frail. It was a little comforting to see however, that some shop owners are caring for their animals, rightfully bathing and feeding these creatures. Here in Jogja there doesn’t seem to be much law involved in anything, even if there were, folks don't exactly live by them.

Lady bathing Chickens

Baby Squirrel munching on an old banana

Because locals are still living life in a very traditional and back-dated manner, adapting to simple lifestyles and laid-back culture. What may seem completely normal to them, was absolutely appalling to us. We left the animal market feeling dejected at the animals’ welfare state, visit this place in Jogja for an eye-opening experience indeed.

Flared mane; A Jacobin Pigeon

Looks like we aren’t the only ones whom felt heartbroken. Here are reviews on TripAdvisor. 

 To find the place on Google Maps, type in Yogyakarta Pets and Plants Market (odd that we did not see any plants really.)

Address

Pasty Pets And Plants Market

Jalan Bantul KM.1 No.141 Gedongkiwo, Mantrijeron, Kota Yogyakarta

Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55188, Indonesia

Operating Hours

7am to 5pm Daily

Restless caged monkeys

Were you there at these places? Read on to see how you can share your experiences with us!

Stay tuned with us as we uncover the many sights and sounds to the life that Animals and Pets lead in Jogja and Jakarta, giving you honest insights and review of our experiences. Indonesia Trip series articles :

Cafes

Cats and Coffee –Yogyakarta

The Cat Cabin –Jakarta

Cutie Cats Café –Jakarta

Animal Markets

Pramuka Bird Market – Jakarta

Jatinegara Market – Jakarta

Zoo

Gembira Loka Zoo – Yogyakarta

More caged squirrels

You may wanna check out the local Cat Cafes here in Singapore first, here’s a complete guide:

The Complete And Updated List Of Cat Cafes In Singapore

Grab a meal for yourselves and your Dogs at these places:

Complete Updated List Of Cafes For Dogs In Singapore

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Sad Cat

Disclaimer

This article was written with informational purposes, as you know, we’d love to share our collective research and experiences as fellow Pet owners and lovers. It is not meant to alternate in any way as advice or diagnosis of Professionals. If you do wish to use any of our published information, you are welcome to contact us!