AP PHOTOS: Jakarta TNR effort aims to help stray cats like lively Hitam and feisty Aing Maung

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Hitam, a lively black-and-white stray cat has been spayed and returned to the loving arms of Alvin, a parking attendant in a bustling street in Indonesia's capital.

“I feed her rice and fish every day,” Alvin said.

The nimble feline is part of an estimated whopping 700,000 stray cats that roam Jakarta. Trap-neuter-return programs, or TNR, have been spearheaded by community-based groups including Let’s Adopt Indonesia that advocate humane methods to control the cat population.

Every weekend, volunteers like 28-year-old Vanya Afreenzha work tirelessly to trap as many stray cats as possible. Armed with cat food, long pole nets and plastic carriers, they roam parks, train stations and public areas where cats can be easily spotted. They then drop them off at a clinic in southern Jakarta to be neutered by qualified veterinarians.

During a recent excursion, volunteers trapped 80 cats, including Hitam, and got them spayed or neutered. Among them was a notoriously aggressive female cat that Afreenzha nicknamed Aing Maung, which means “I am a tiger” in Sundanese.

Carolina Fajar, the head of operations at Let’s Adopt Indonesia, says neutering and spaying cats reduces aggression and disruptive behavior and even prevents property damage as the felines scavenge for food and look to mate.

“So how can we handle this without having to get rid of them? Through neutering which lowers their hormonal levels, allowing them to coexist peacefully,” she said.

Despite the occasional scratch and resistance from some locals who doubt the effectiveness of TNR, volunteers like Afreenzha remain committed to the cause. She finds solace in helping cats live healthier lives and aiding those abandoned by their owners.

She says spaying and neutering helps the cats live better so “they don’t have to keep giving birth on the streets.”

Afreenza believes that harmony between humans and animals is possible, allowing them to coexist peacefully.

A neutered stray cat rests at Istiqlal Mosque compound in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Alvin, a parking attendant, holds Hitam, a stray cat he's been looking after, after it was returned by volunteers during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

A Let's Adopt Indonesia volunteer releases a stray cat that has been neutered during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Let's Adopt Indonesia volunteer Regina Sari releases a stray cat that has been spayed during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

A stray cat sits as people walk past by at the Istiqlal Mosque compound in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

A stray cat climbs a table at the food court outside Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

A stray that has been neutered, sits near visitors at the front yard of Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Veterinarians examine a newly-arrived stray cat during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Spayed and neutered stray cats are laid on the floor while waiting for the anesthetic to wear off during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Veterinarians spay stray cats during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Veterinarians spay a stray cat during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Let's Adopt Indonesia volunteers Ian Gunawan, left, and Vanya Afreenzha put baskets containing stray cats into a van during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Volunteers prepare plastic containers to be used to transport cats during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Let's Adopt Indonesia volunteers Vanya Afreenzha, right, and Marta try to catch a stray cat during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Volunteer Vanya Afreenzha, center, holds a stray cat as Carolina Fajar, the head of operations at Let's Adopt Indonesia, left, and Adib Azhar, another volunteer, right, look on, during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Let's Adopt Indonesia volunteer Vanya Afreenzha uses a net to catch a stray cat during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Let's Adopt Indonesia volunteer Serefanus Melvin, center, put a stray cat into a container during a "Trap, Neuter and Return" project aimed at reducing stray cat population, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Drew Lock finally got a start at quarterback for the New York Giants, and helped them get their first lead in seven games.

Then his two turnovers led to touchdowns for the Dallas Cowboys.

“Take care of the ball, and it'd be a good game,” Lock said.

With Lock their third different starting QB over three games, a span in which Daniel Jones was benched and subsequently released before Tommy DeVito developed a sore throwing arm, the result was the same for the Giants on Thanksgiving Day. They lost 27-20 to become the NFL's first 10-loss team this season — and the first eliminated from playoff contention.

The seven-game losing streak is the longest for New York (2-10) since setting a franchise record with a nine-game skid while going 4-12 in 2019.

“I thought Drew did some good stuff, and then two big turnovers,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. “Can't have those turnovers.”

The Giants also had 13 penalties for 98 yards.

Dallas went ahead to stay on linebacker DeMarvion Overshown's 23-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the second quarter.

After initially being chipped by Devin Singletary as the running back went out for a screen pass, Overshown lunged forward, raised his right arm and tipped the ball up to himself when Lock tried to make the pass.

Overshown also recovered when Lock fumbled while being sacked on the third play after halftime. That set up a 38-yard Cowboys drive for a touchdown that made it 20-10.

But the Giants hadn't led since a 29-20 win at Seattle on October 6 until a touchdown on their opening drive Thursday, a day after Lock found out he was likely going to be the starter on a short week when the Giants only had walkthrough practices.

Tyrone Tracy’s 1-yard TD run made it 7-3 on the play right after Lock converted third-and-6 with a 28-yard scramble. Lock’s run was initially ruled a touchdown before replay review showed that the ball hadn’t yet crossed the goal line when his foot kicked the pylon in the front corner of the end zone.

Lock finished with 57 yards rushing on four carries, including an 8-yard touchdown with 2:18 left. He was 21-of-32 passing for 178 yards and sacked six times.

“Upset when you lose, but, I mean, nothing but fun. You love football, love being able to come out here and play on Thanksgiving,” Lock said. “A couple of things we could have done better, but the last 24 hours, I won’t forget it. Awesome opportunity to come out here and play. Wish we could have gotten it done.”

After serving as the backup to Jones, Lock remained the Giants' No. 2 quarterback when they decided to make a change. Daboll went with fan favorite DeVito as the starter last Sunday against Tampa Bay.

DeVito was 21 of 31 for 189 yards in a 30-7 loss to the Buccaneers. He was sacked four times and missed one play in the fourth quarter after being hit hard after making a throw.

The 28-year-old Lock was a second-round draft pick by Denver in 2019. He started 21 of his 24 games over three seasons with the Broncos, going 8-13. He was 1-1 as the Seattle starter last season when Geno Smith was sidelined by a groin injury.

Daboll said there was nothing significantly wrong with DeVito, other than being sore and swollen, and that he probably could be ready for their next game at home Dec. 8 against New Orleans. The coach wasn't ready to say who he planned to start at quarterback then.

“We just got done playing here,” Daboll said. “We've got a few days where we’ll go back and watch this game.”

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New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) celebrates after running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) scored a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) is unable to catch a pass in front of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Josh Butler (31) during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

New York Giants wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette (87) leaps over Dallas Cowboys' Damone Clark (18) and Brevyn Spann-Ford (89) on a punt return during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Carl Lawson (55) sacks New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Carl Lawson (55) during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) throws against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) and linebacker Micah Parsons (11) during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)