Choosing a vet and vet clinic in Indonesia

About this guideCompiled from the listed veterinary and health organisations’ guidance; not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.

General information for owners, not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. If your animal seems very unwell, in pain, struggling to breathe or may have been poisoned, contact a vet immediately.

Quick answer

Key points

A vet (dokter hewan) is a qualified veterinary professional with a competency certificate; veterinary paramedics work under a vet's supervision.
Practising vets must hold a veterinary practice licence (SIP DRH) issued by the regency or city government.
A puskeswan is a local-government animal health unit offering check-ups, treatment and vaccination, including free rabies vaccine in some places.
Choose a vet before your pet falls ill, and ask about licensing, opening hours, emergency cover and likely costs.
Take the vaccination card to every visit and keep up regular health checks, usually once a year.

When should you see a vet?

Go to the nearest vet or animal hospital immediately if your pet has difficulty breathing, collapses, or has severe vomiting and diarrhoea, especially if the diarrhoea is bloody.
A kitten or puppy with incomplete vaccinations is lethargic, will not eat, has a fever, is vomiting or has diarrhoea.
An animal that suddenly changes behaviour, drools excessively or has trouble swallowing: keep away and contact a vet and the local animal health office or puskeswan.
A surgical wound that has opened, looks red or swollen, or has discharge.
Your pet has never had a check-up or vaccinations, or it has been more than a year since its last check-up.

Contact your nearest veterinarian or animal clinic. This site cannot assess your animal’s condition. Choosing a vet

In this guide (10)

What is a vet, and how is a vet different from a veterinary paramedic?

Under Law No. 18 of 2009, a vet (dokter hewan) is someone with a veterinary profession, a competency certificate and veterinary medical authority to provide animal health services. Vets and specialist vets are classed as veterinary medical personnel. There are also veterinary paramedics, who hold an animal health diploma or vocational certificate, and veterinary science graduates who are not yet qualified vets.

This difference matters to owners. The same law says veterinary paramedics and veterinary science graduates work under a vet's supervision. Minister of Agriculture Regulation (Permentan) No. 3 of 2019 adds that when working independently they may only carry out non-parenteral procedures, meaning treatments not given by injection or drip. Anything else must be done under a vet's supervision. So make sure vaccinations, anaesthesia and surgery are carried out by a vet or under a vet's supervision.

Do vets need a licence to practise?

Yes. Law No. 18 of 2009 requires animal health workers who provide animal health services to hold a practice licence issued by the regent or mayor. Permentan No. 3 of 2019 calls it the Veterinary Practice Licence (SIP DRH), valid for one practice location. Vets apply online through the one-stop licensing service (PTSP), and must provide, among other things, their vet degree, a competency certificate from the professional organisation, a recommendation from its local branch, and a recommendation from the regency or city office.

According to the Yogyakarta City agriculture and food office, licensing rules are being adjusted to the Job Creation Law, so procedures may differ between regions. The same office found that some vets and paramedics were practising without a licence. You can ask to see a vet's practice licence and the clinic's premises licence before using its services. If in doubt, contact the animal health office in your regency or city, because it takes part in the licensing process.

Evidence: JDIH Kementerian Keuangan — Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2009 tentang Peternakan dan Kesehatan Hewan (teks lengkap) ↗ · JDIH BPK — Peraturan Menteri Pertanian Nomor 3 Tahun 2019 tentang Pelayanan Jasa Medik Veteriner (PDF) ↗ · JDIH BPK — Permentan No. 03 Tahun 2019 tentang Pelayanan Jasa Medik Veteriner (status peraturan) ↗ · Dinas Pertanian dan Pangan Kota Yogyakarta — Sosialisasi Perizinan Pelayanan Jasa Medik Veteriner ↗

What is PDHI?

PDHI (Perhimpunan Dokter Hewan Indonesia) is Indonesia's professional organisation for vets. According to its official portal, as of December 2025 PDHI had 15,813 active members and 57 branches across Indonesia, and more than half of its members work in practice. The portal also handles competency certificates for vets. Law No. 18 of 2009 requires animal health workers to follow a code of ethics and uphold their professional oath or pledge.

PDHI branches often take part in animal health programmes with the government. For example, PDHI's Bali branch joined Kementan's free rabies vaccination and neutering event in Denpasar, and a Central Java branch worked on subsidised neutering at puskeswan in Boyolali Regency. Under Permentan No. 3 of 2019, a recommendation from the professional organisation's local branch is also one of the requirements for a vet's practice licence.

Evidence: PB PDHI (myPDHI) — Tentang PDHI ↗ · JDIH Kementerian Keuangan — Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2009 tentang Peternakan dan Kesehatan Hewan (teks lengkap) ↗ · Ditjen PKH Kementan (BPMSPH) — Kementan Gelar Vaksinasi dan Sterilisasi Gratis di Denpasar, Dukung Bali Bebas Rabies ↗ · Pemerintah Provinsi Jawa Tengah — Sterilisasi Kucing, Kurangi Populasi dan Cegah Rabies ↗ · JDIH BPK — Peraturan Menteri Pertanian Nomor 3 Tahun 2019 tentang Pelayanan Jasa Medik Veteriner (PDF) ↗

How do vet clinics, animal hospitals and puskeswan differ?

Permentan No. 3 of 2019 recognises several kinds of animal health service unit: independent vet practices, ambulatory services (mobile clinics or house calls), vet clinics, puskeswan and animal hospitals. A vet clinic is a practice with a vet and facilities for treating animals. An animal hospital is led by a vet in charge and has emergency care, a diagnostic laboratory, inpatient care, an intensive care unit and isolation rooms, and can accept referrals.

A puskeswan (animal health centre) is a unit that provides animal health services and is usually run by the local government office. According to Buleleng Regency's agriculture office, puskeswan operate at district (kecamatan) level and offer routine check-ups for pets and livestock, treatment, consultations, reproductive care, vaccination and education. Some puskeswan offer free rabies vaccination. Mobile services also exist; for example, since July 2026 Jakarta's Dinas KPKP has run five mobile animal clinics, each staffed by a vet and a veterinary paramedic.

Evidence: JDIH BPK — Peraturan Menteri Pertanian Nomor 3 Tahun 2019 tentang Pelayanan Jasa Medik Veteriner (PDF) ↗ · Dinas Pertanian, Ketahanan Pangan dan Perikanan Kabupaten Buleleng — Pelayanan Vaksinasi Rabies di Puskeswan Buleleng ↗ · Dinas KPKP Provinsi DKI Jakarta — Dinas KPKP DKI Jakarta Luncurkan 5 Unit Mobil Klinik Hewan Keliling ↗

What should you ask when choosing a vet?

Choose a vet before your pet falls ill, because finding a clinic in an emergency is much harder. International Cat Care suggests contacting the clinic and asking to visit without your pet to see the facilities. Ask whether the vet holds a practice licence, when the clinic is open, and where animals are referred if they need emergency or inpatient care the clinic cannot provide. Also ask for likely costs of routine care, because prices differ between practices.

Watch how staff handle animals and how they explain things to you. A good clinic is clean, well ventilated and free of an overpowering smell of disinfectant. For cats, International Cat Care suggests looking for a waiting area separate from dogs, raised places to put carriers off the floor, and staff who handle cats gently. If your pet needs to stay in, feel free to ask to see where it will be kept. Recommendations from family or friends with similar pets can also help.

Evidence: International Cat Care — How to choose a veterinary clinic for your cat ↗ · JDIH BPK — Peraturan Menteri Pertanian Nomor 3 Tahun 2019 tentang Pelayanan Jasa Medik Veteriner (PDF) ↗ · PDSA — Dog neutering: a guide to castration and spaying ↗

How do you prepare for a vet visit?

Bring the vaccination card and health records, and note the problems you have seen and when they started. Vets record every vaccine in the medical record, so a complete history helps them decide what is needed next. WSAVA recommends regular health checks, usually once a year, covering vaccines, parasites, teeth, nutrition and behaviour. International Cat Care also says every cat should have at least one check at the clinic each year. If your pet is having surgery, follow the clinic's fasting instructions.

Bring cats in a sturdy carrier, and never let a cat travel loose in a vehicle. A carrier that opens at the top makes it easier to lift the cat out gently. Get your cat used to the carrier at home as a place to sleep or eat, line it with bedding that smells of home, and cover it with a cloth while travelling. Hold the carrier from underneath rather than swinging it by the handle. Puppies with incomplete vaccinations should not have contact with unknown dogs in the waiting room.

Evidence: WSAVA — 2024 guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats (full text, Journal of Small Animal Practice) ↗ · International Cat Care — Taking your cat to the vet ↗ · WSAVA — 2024 Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats: Executive Summary ↗

Sources & references

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.

Cite this page

PanduanHewan. (2026, 25 September). Choosing a vet and vet clinic in Indonesia. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/choosing-a-vet-in-indonesia/

Choosing a vet and vet clinic in Indonesia

Key points

When should you see a vet?

What is a vet, and how is a vet different from a veterinary paramedic?

Do vets need a licence to practise?

What is PDHI?

How do vet clinics, animal hospitals and puskeswan differ?

What should you ask when choosing a vet?

How do you prepare for a vet visit?

Sources & references

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