In a 2023 survey published in The Mainichi, it was found that there are approximately 6.8 million pet dogs and 9 million pet cats across Japan.
Companion animals have become integral parts of people’s lives — especially as the population ages — with pets helping to combat loneliness among elderly individuals living alone. However, when an owner becomes too old to take care of a pet or a family moves to an apartment that doesn’t allow pets, what do people usually do?
In many cases, unwanted pets are taken to shelters, where overcrowding can sometimes lead to culling (the killing of otherwise healthy animals for population control). The rise in pet ownership paired with the aging population might make you think that the problem of unwanted pets and culling is getting worse. Surprisingly, while this was a serious issue across Japan in the past, the number of pets being put down has actually dropped to a record low over the last half-century. But how was this achieved?
In 1974, approximately 1.1 million dogs and 63,000 cats were put down. By 1989, the number of cats put down had increased to a high of 328,000 while dogs decreased to 687,000. Since then, the numbers have dropped dramatically. By 2022, only approximately 9,000 cats and 3,000 dogs were put down, or .07% of the pet population. In comparison, pet euthanasia and culling in the United States were reported by the ASPCA to be nearly nine times higher per (pet) capita. But how has Japan achieved such progress?
Successful government efforts to lower pet culling
A 2013 revision to the 1973 動物愛護管理法 (dobutsu aigo kanrihou, or Act on Welfare and Management of Animals) allowed local government shelters to refuse dogs and cats without valid reasons for surrender. This measure has significantly reduced the number of pets in shelters and, in turn, reduced the need to kill them.
In 2019, the law was further strengthened with stricter regulations on pet businesses, increased penalties for abuse and mandated microchipping.
Ibaraki Prefecture, once having the highest number of dogs killed, announced in 2021 that it had not put any dogs down that whole year. The prefecture’s efforts to discipline aggressive dogs and find new owners helped reduce deaths.
The Mainichi reported that other government efforts are being taken to lessen the need to put pets down. For instance, local governments offer tax breaks for donations to animal protection programs, which fund efforts like increasing cat sterilization to lower stray populations.
According to the Hananoki Pet Shelter, 172 times more stray cats are hit by cars in Nagoya in comparison to those that are put down in shelters. The shelter explains that when male cats are in heat, they tend to chase females beyond their territories across busy roads. Thus, sterilization is just as important, or maybe even more important, than the need to adopt cats before they are put down.
Vets in Japan avoid euthanasia whenever possible
A 2016 academic study in Anthrozoös by Hizuru Sugita and Mami Irimajiri found that most Japanese veterinarians required an incurable condition and suffering for euthanasia, alongside the owner's request. In a 1990 study in the same journal published about the Animal Studies Program at Michigan State University, Norio Kogure and Keiko Yamazaki noted that Japanese veterinarians were significantly less likely to recommend euthanasia compared to their British counterparts. So, it seems that reluctance to euthanasia by Japanese veterinarians goes back some time.
In an interview with Judit Kawaguchi, veterinarian Chikao Muratani stated that Japanese pet owners are similarly reluctant to opt for euthanasia, viewing pets as family members and wanting to prolong their lives.
“Despite the number of pets being put down dropping drastically since the 1970s, some still view how animals are put down in Japan as problematic.”
What happens to strays or pets given up?
Despite the number of pets being put down dropping drastically since the 1970s, some still view how animals are put down in Japan as problematic.
The Japanese animal advocacy website Pawer explains that shelters scan animals for microchips to identify owners, but outdated or missing information often hampers reunions. Shelters post online notices for a week before determining if the animal is adoptable.
Unfortunately, a week usually isn’t enough time to find a new owner. Also, a lack of space often leads to animals being put down, even for adoptable pets. Kittens are especially vulnerable due to insufficient staff to care for them, often resulting in same-day culling.
In an interview to comment on this article, Animal Refuge Kansai’s Area Manager Masatoshi Okuda stated that a “low-kill” objective should be tolerated due to unavoidable limitations regarding the quality of life facilities can provide.
In regard to how pets are put down, most shelters use gas chambers with carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide, methods condemned by animal rights advocates as inhumane. In a Japan Today article, Cara Clegg explains that multiple animals are killed at once, with larger ones suffering for up to 30 minutes as they suffocate. In 2015, Mail Online’s Qin Xie reported that dogs often claw at the box’s metal walls and cats slam against the walls in panic and that PETA’s Elisa Allen advocates for sodium pentobarbital injections as a more humane alternative.
Unfortunately, the drug has been unavailable in Japan since 2019.
Why are pets given up in Japan?
Pawer mentions the most common reason people would give up their pet was inconvenience. Examples include owners moving to places where pets aren’t allowed, noise complaints (barking), and financial difficulties. Worse still, some owners do not want to take responsibility for their pet’s eventual death. Shockingly, other reasons include the animal no longer being cute, the breed falling out of fashion, or the dog chewing on household items. The 2013 legal revision requiring a valid reason for surrendering a pet aimed to address these issues.
Another problem Pawer highlights is the increase in elderly owners who have to give up their pets when moving into nursing homes. To address this, some facilities now require potential pet owners to meet a minimum age requirement. To avoid situations where you can no longer care for your pet, GaijinPot offers advice on what to consider before getting a pet in Japan. Additionally, it is important to factor in the total cost of pet ownership, which one article in The Mainichi estimates as 2.45 million yen for a dog and 1.5 million yen for a cat over their lifetime.
Taking action to prevent animal suffering
The price of dogs and cats at pet stores across Japan has risen dramatically in recent years. This creates a situation where people seek alternatives, such as “backyard breeders.” Unfortunately, conditions for animals in such places can be cruel, as Michael Hoffman points out for Japan Today in “The dark side of the pet boom in Japan.” The first step to prevent animal suffering is to ensure that you obtain your pet from a reputable source.
Since local government initiatives vary, if you’d like to help, consider visiting your local government pet shelter to inquire about their needs. They may be at capacity and require assistance finding adoptive families or volunteers to help care for stray kittens. In addition, you can also stop by regularly since you may fall in love with a pet there in need of a home.
Charity and volunteer organizations also play a vital role in filling gaps when local governments struggle with capacity issues. Chibawan, Pet No Ouchi and Dog Shelter are examples of such organizations. Another example is the Japan Cat Network, founded by a foreigner in Japan and mentioned in this Japan Today article. It is a no-kill shelter where you can volunteer or donate to support their efforts. Similarly, Animal Refuge Kansai, another organization founded by a foreigner, has been in operation since 1990. If you’re eager to contribute, you might also consider starting your own charity organization in your area.
While the post-WWII Japanese economic miracle is well known, Japan has achieved other “miracles” since then, including its road safety miracle I wrote about previously in Japan Today.
With its remarkable success in reducing the number of pets put down since the 1970s, the substantial improvements made over the last half-century should be considered a miracle as well.
Dr. James Rogers is a tenured university professor who has published various books and over 50 articles on linguistics and Japanese studies. He is the author of the book “On Living and Working in Japan.”
© Japan Today
18 Comments
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kurisupisu
The first step to prevent animal suffering is to ensure that you obtain your pet from a reputable source.
.
Maybe, the first step is to affirm the commitment to care for the animal until it’s death?
Jay
Trying not to get emotional as I think about my own four-legged friend, but here goes. Making the decision to put down an aging dog is heartbreaking, and I have deep sympathy for anyone facing it. Back home, I feel vets are sometimes too quick to suggest euthanasia, even for dogs that are simply slowing down rather than actually suffering. Is this because vets truly sense the animal is in pain, or is there a financial motivation at play? It's a difficult question - how do we really know when our pets are in unbearable suffering versus simply experiencing the natural effects of old age?
If euthanasia is truly the best and most necessary option, I hope owners consider doing it at home, where their dog can pass in a familiar and comforting environment, surrounded by love.
dbsaiya
Unfortunately local governments don't provide enough funds for TNR or vaccinations for people who care for neighborhood cats. Where we live, there's an unorganized group of caring people who out of their own pockets pay for food, vaccinations and spaying/neutering. There used to be a large population of strays in our area and now there are only a few, and those remaining few are looked after and provided shelter and sustenance until their passing. I don't see as many stray dogs anymore, but I believe that cats or dogs with a calm temperament should be adopted by nursing homes as companions to the elderly. They can work wonders.
GuruMick
Jay...Vets are unlikely to put pets to sleep for a financial motive. Dead pets dont require care.
I have seen pet dogs in Japan who should be euthanized because of age or frailty .....one neighbours dog had obvious cancer of the testicles which were the size of coconuts.
Responsible dog owners will euthanize a sick or very aged dog....part of being an owner.
I had my best mate Labrador euthenized around age 15 years , a long life for a 45 kilo dog.
Dog had lost control of his bowels, was frequently falling over and couldnt get up etc.
I was sad/happy because he had the best life a dog could have, including riding surfboards and a few years in Japan.
Buddha told his disciples not to grieve His death because death comes to all living creatures...its a part of life when you look at it.
Still miss me old mate but have another , smaller 4.5 kilo dog now.
Sweet as pie she is.
ak
Dream box What a morbid name. More like death chamber. Good lord, disturbing.
Mr Kipling
If a vet has picked up and is holding your pet, never ask him to "put it down". As "put it down" to a vet means to kill it with an injection in the back of the neck. Much better to ask the vet to lower your pet back to the floor.
garypen
One of the best ways to reduce shelter kills is to adopt your next pet from a shelter or rescue group, instead of buying from a pet shop.
We've adopted two rescue dogs since moving to Japan. And, one of the two dogs we brought with us from the US is a rescue. All of our cats over the years have been rescues, as well.
The overwhelming preference of Japanese people has historically been for store-bought puppies and kittens. But, I've been running into more and more rescue dogs at the parks, dog runs, and on walks in the last year or two. Websites listing animals available for adoption have become popular. And, adoption fairs are quite common now, as well. It's a welcome development.
If anyone here is looking to adopt a pet in Japan, a good place to start is Pet Home:
https://www.pet-home.jp/
Also, ARK (Animal Refuge Kansai, which also has a Tokyo office.)
https://arkbark.net/en/
garypen
It can be hard finding a vet here that will euthanize an animal. And, most pet owners here would never ask, anyway. It's so sad.
Did you have any difficulty finding a vet to do it? Or, convincing your current vet, if he was reluctant?
Our 18-year-old cat died a painful death because our JP vet at the time wouldn't euthanize. Fortunately, the vet we eventually found for our remaining animals later on was willing to help end the suffering of two of our dogs over the years, since then.
garypen
Our vet used a strong sedative-like drug for two of our dogs to end their suffering. So, there is definitely an injectable drug available for animal euthanasia here.
GuruMick
Gary...thanks for your reply...
We euthanized me old buddy in NSW Australia , not Japan , and I told the vet how "happy " I was that he did it, because the vet was a real gem of a person and understood some lives are at an end.
Probably my dog may have died himself in a day or so, but honestly , he looked at me straight in the eyes as if to say "its my time now, please help ".
Crikey...I am crying now writing this ...
But that dog left so many really funny memories...he was a big 45 kilo clown actually.
My wife and I are so lucky to have been his owners .
GuruMick
To cheer myself up I will share one aspect...
My dog was a BIG MALE labrador...but when he was a pup , I believe he was bitten on the nose by a stinger ant.
So sometimes, an ant would enter the house...the dog would get up ...try to alert us
"ANT...ANT !!!!"...he seemed to call out ...evacuate...evacuate...
A million more stories...I might write a book..
Laguna
When my beloved dog was suffering greatly from cancer, I made the difficult decision to have him put down - but the vet refused. He died in my arms a few days later.
GuruMick
What a screwed up lot are JT posters when I can say I loved a dog and get down votes
Mr Kipling
These down voters obviously never had a dog. Their loss.
Jimizo
Fine post mate.
I hope the person who thumbed that down gives us the reason. I’m really struggling to find one.
Anyway, as a kid we had a cracking old mongrel from a shelter back in the UK. He was a delight for the three or so years we had him - a very well mannered elderly gent who we had euthanized when he was at the end of the road.
Old dogs can be as much of a joy as pups.
John Wellington
1.1 million is crazy. So, in the 70s, nearly 100,000 a month? Lets say in a big city they put down 20,000. Thats over 600 a day, every single day, all year long. What the hell did they do with all the bodies? I feel pity for the person who had to do such a job. It was probably like the Holocaust
garypen
My guess is they're from countries like China, India, or some in Southeast Asia or the Middle East, that have large populations of people who are scared of or simply hate dogs. (I might add that when I've met someone from those countries who do have dogs, they're always crazy over-the-top dog lovers, as if they're making up for all the dog haters from their home countries.)
But, yeah, downvotes on comments promoting basic humanity towards animals, women, or other victims of cruelty or abuse are ponderous, and happen more often than one would hope from presumably educated adults.
John-San
When the owner of a Shiba Inu pass away. ????