Dog and cat adoption events. Can anyone adopt a pet? What to prepare before attending an adoption event

In Japan, the sad reality is that dogs and cats that are surrendered due to personal reasons are ultimately euthanized if no one takes them. It is truly heartbreaking to see innocent pets lose their lives for human convenience.

Therefore, the government itself is working to reduce the number of dogs and cats euthanized, ultimately eliminating them altogether. In June 2014, the Ministry of the Environment announced the "Project to Realize a Society Where People and Animals Can Live Happily." This action plan involves the government working in collaboration with local governments, animal welfare organizations, NPOs, volunteers, and businesses to promote the plan by holding adoption events to find homes for rescued dogs and cats.

Pets that are relinquished by their owners suffer deep emotional wounds. To prevent future pets from experiencing the same pain, each organization sets different requirements for finding a new owner.

This article summarizes "How to Prepare for Adoption."
Please refer to this article if you're considering adopting a new dog or cat.

What are dog and cat adoption events?

Animal shelters and nonprofit organizations rescue stray dogs and cats, as well as dogs and cats abandoned for various reasons. These rescued pets await foster parents who will welcome them into their new homes.

Many facilities and organizations hold adoption events to match prospective adopters with dogs and cats.

However, just because you want to keep a dog or cat doesn't mean that anyone can adopt one. At adoption events, animals are generally given to willing adopters free of charge, but there are strict conditions.

The main criteria for becoming a foster parent are whether the pets whose lives you have rescued can live happily and whether you are the right person to care for them. We strive to provide a safe environment for the dogs and cats we rescue, so as not to create a cycle of unfortunate pets.

Preparing for Adoption Events

The national "Project for the Realization of a Society Where People and Animals Live Happily" is an initiative aimed at reducing the euthanasia of dogs and cats, the animals we are most familiar with, in order to foster a society where humans and animals coexist.

As a result of focusing on adopting dogs and cats taken in by local governments and animal protection organizations, the number of animals euthanized has dropped dramatically to one-seventh of what it was in 10 years. However, approximately 30,000 dogs and cats (as of 2019) are still euthanized nationwide. *

If you're currently considering adding a dog or cat to your family, consider attending an adoption event before heading to a pet shop. If you've decided to adopt a rescued pet, please review the following items to see if they fit your environment.

Quoted from the Ministry of the Environment's Facebook page, "Project Secretariat for the Realization of a Society Where People and Animals Live Happily," September 8, 2021.

Are all family members in agreement?

The most important condition for adopting a dog or cat is that it be welcomed into your family.

Therefore, if even one family member does not agree to keeping a pet, it will be difficult to adopt. Also, people who are often away from home and must keep their pet in a cage all day, or who only keep their pet outdoors because they do not want their pet to soil the room or furniture, are likely to be considered unsuitable foster parents.

Is your home suitable for keeping a pet?

・Make sure your apartment or condominium allows pets. Even if an apartment allows pets, there are often weight and number restrictions, so check with the management company in advance. It is also important to be able to keep your pet indoors so as not to disturb neighbors.

- If your home already has a dog or cat, there will be a trial period to assess compatibility. Rather than choosing a new pet as a companion to your current pet, consider whether their personality will be compatible with your new pet. In some cases, your existing dog or cat must be neutered or spayed.

- It's also important to spend enough time with your pet during the day. If everyone in the household is away from home for work, your pet will be left alone for at least 9-10 hours a day. If you leave the house for long periods of time, your rescued pet may become frightened and develop health problems or behavioral problems. If your pet's lifestyle requires you to be away from home for long periods of time, it may be deemed unsuitable for the new home.

・Each organization aims to conduct activities in accordance with the spirit of animal welfare. Therefore, they may monitor the adoption of pets to ensure they are healthy and happy in their new homes. For pets that may take time to settle in, they may schedule home visits to help them become more comfortable with their families.

For elderly people or those living alone, do they have a guardian or follow-up system?

Especially if you are an elderly person looking to adopt, consider whether you can properly care for an active dog or a clean cat every day. Also, in case you develop an illness or something happens in the future, it's important to decide and understand who will be able to provide ongoing care for your dog or cat, as well as someone who can provide follow-up and support.

Vaccinations and Dog Registration

To maintain your dog's health, you'll need to take it to the vet regularly every year for vaccinations, rabies, and heartworm screenings.

After adopting your dog, you're also required by law to visit your local city or ward to register it as a pet (you may need to have a microchip fitted), administer a rabies vaccination once a year, and attach a dog tag and vaccination certificate to the dog.*2

These are considered basic pet owner responsibilities, so if you cannot fulfill them, your adoption may be denied.

※2Quoted from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website, "About Dog License Tags and Vaccination Certificates"

No matter what the situation, you need to be prepared to keep your pet until the end

Although the lifespan of dogs and cats is much shorter than that of humans, there are many who live healthy lives over 15 years old, which is over 80 years old in human years. While it's impossible to predict your own life 100% accurately, it's very important to consider your pet's lifespan before adopting one.

Don't just think about the immediate future, thinking, "I meet all the conditions for a pet, so I can adopt one right away!" Think about the years ahead. Even if you decide to move abroad, it's only natural to bring your pet with you, since they're part of your family.

No matter what the situation or reason, you don't want to give up your family member. Once you've adopted a dog or cat, there shouldn't be any chances that you can't keep them. Despite this, there are countless irresponsible people who abandon the family members they decided to adopt.

If you're reading this article, you've probably realized that each individual's commitment is crucial to ensuring that pets are never unhappy. When considering adopting a pet, it's important to be prepared from the very beginning, looking ahead to the future for yourself, your family, and your pet.

Summary

Most rescued dogs and cats carry deep wounds from having been abandoned by owners they trusted and showered with love. Some dogs and cats suffer from trauma from being abandoned or the living conditions they experienced before being rescued.

Dogs and cats can read human emotions, share human feelings, and can even discern human nature. Pets that have been abandoned or abused in the past may become more wary and even bite in self-defense.

Dogs and cats have long coexisted with humans as partners. They are genuinely affectionate toward humans, and none of them have a natural tendency to be threatening. If there are any, it means that they may be hurt by betrayal and their defensive instincts may kick in, causing them to become aggressive toward humans.

In most cases where a dog or cat does not show affection for humans, it is because they have been abandoned by their loving owner.
When you are ready to adopt a pet, thoroughly study the nature and characteristics of the animal or breed you wish to adopt.

And for abandoned dogs and cats, please love them until the very end of their lives so that they never have to go through the same thing again. The pet you loved will give you more love than you have ever received for the rest of their lives.