Japan Cat Network

We Love our pets…Spaying it is saying it!

Japan Cat Network — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:04:06 +0000

February is a month for showing our love… Join animal lovers all over the world, in celebrating Spay Day International! JCN is working in cooperation with the Shiga ken regional animal control center, to spread the word about how important it is to spay and neuter the animals that we care for. We’ll be handing out fliers again, this time in front of Heiwado stores around Shiga, as well as at some JR train stations, February 21 - 27. Check our Spay Day Events page for a detailed schedule, which we will be posting soon, and contact us, if you would like to organize a flier pass-out day near your location. We’d also like to see our adopters and friends enter photos of pets in the Humane Society Spay Day International Photo Contest. It’s free to enter, it only takes a few minutes, and it could help us to raise much needed funds for spay neuter projects in low income communities. Be sure to choose Japan Cat Network, as your charity, from the pull-down menu.

Let’s work together to prevent the unnecessary suffering of unwanted pets, by spaying and neutering before spring arrives! Contact us now for help in starting a Trap Neuter Return project in your community.

The Year of the Tiger

Japan Cat Network — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:36:21 +0000

This is the year to celebrate all things cat. Get your New Year off to a Happy start by welcoming a furry new member to your family! We have some adorable little tiger kitties, eager to find homes and hearts. For example little Nemo, a beautiful 4 1/2 month old ginger, rescued from a TNR project area near the lakeside. He’s a friendly kitten who loves people, and is a joyful bundle of fun! Take a look at some of the other kitties waiting for new homes…

Another way to have a Happier New Year…Make a point to do something to help the wild cats that you see living on the streets in your area. Animal control reports the highest destruction numbers for the year in the months of March, April, and May. Most of those destroyed are unwanted kittens, but as more people start Trap Neuter Return projects in their communities, we can bring those numbers down. If you love animals and empathize with the poor cats living and reproducing in your area, now is the time to remedy the situation, before spring births start! TNR can turn an unmanageable community cat problem into a reasonable situation for all involved. Much like cleaning up a park, or planting beds of flowers, TNR improves the appearance and the quality of life in communities, not to mention the emotional well being of animal lovers who live there. Concerns about the cost and the work involved are often the main deterrents to getting a project started, but leaving things as they are means a regular parade of sick, homeless, and dying cats. Sad of course for the cats but also sad for anyone who cares. This kind of sight causes a constant assault on the happiness of the people living nearby, and in the end, the benefits of creating a better situation far outweigh the costs. With a little effort and investment, you can turn things around now, and prevent the suffering of hundreds of kittens and cats down the line. And, you’ll feel better, as you make your world a nicer place. Contact us for help planning your project now, as we approach February and Spay Day International!

Something everyone can use…

Japan Cat Network — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:21:51 +0000

It’s time to think about presents and maybe making the world a little bit better place. We’ll send your friend or loved one a small present and a big thank you, if you donate $20 or more in their name. We’ll also do this for birthdays, and other special occasions! Just send us the to and from names, as well at the sending address, and let us know how you sent the donation. It’s the gift that saves a life AND looks great on everyone!

Come on, Be a Lifesaver!

Japan Cat Network — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:50:07 +0000

A young fisherman called us last week, about some cats living near his favorite fishing area on Lake Biwa. He was very concerned for the safety and health of kittens that had been born there and about the growing number of cats. We went out to the area to check out the situation, and found the area to be reasonably hospitable, if the cats are spayed/neutered and if warmer shelter can be constructed. We felt the immediate need to rescue the 5 youngest kittens, even though we are already bursting at the seams here. Take a look at this sweet group of kitties, and let us know how you might be able to help. We are looking for foster and adoptive homes, as well as those willing to sponsor a spay or neuter operation. Come on…is this a face that you can really say “No” to?!

Chilly much?

Japan Cat Network — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:56:18 +0000

Warm your heart and home with a furry bundle of joy! Take a look at our October photo page to see some of our most recent rescues from local TNR projects, as well as the nursery page, to see those still waiting patiently for their forever homes. If you aren’t currently able to adopt or foster, do the next best thing and sponsor the care of a furry friend. With your help, we can bring another in out of the cold, and give them a warm future.

Workday for Welfare

Japan Cat Network — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:00:45 +0000

We want to let those animal lovers of a more rugged type, know that ARK is putting together a November work day/camping trip, to help clear the land at their new building site in Sasayama. This is a great opportunity to be part of animal welfare history in the making–a state of the art animal welfare facility in Japan! The location is in the beautiful Hyogo ken countryside, and is a great place to get your fill of fresh air and autumn leaves. Pick up is scheduled from the nearest train station, but if you’ll be coming out by car, dogs are welcome to come along (cats will want to wait until they install the sofas!). Check out the information page, in English or in Japanese, and contact ARK to reserve a place on the team.

And speaking of work….
…One of our adopters and volunteers is looking for an English teaching position in Tokyo, along with cat friendly accommodation for her kitties, her son, and herself. She has a two year college degree, and has been teaching in her current location for 2 years. She is ready and willing to work towards a TEFL certificate. If you have any information or advice on how she can get started in the Tokyo area, please contact us, and we’ll forward it along!

Home is where the heart is!

Japan Cat Network — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:20:24 +0000

This is Tango, now Tin Tin, enjoying his new life at home! We provide our rescued kitties with love, care, and a stimulating environment, but nothing can compare to life with a family of their own. It’s thrilling to see them go out to their new lives, particularly when they’ve overcome so many obstacles to get there. Tango was found under a car, abandoned at 8 weeks old, his skin eaten away by scabies. Even in the terrible shape he was in, he was still full of love and affection! Now healthy and adopted by a wonderful, loving family, he’s found someone to give that love to everyday. This week we visited TNR sites and took pictures of more sweet kittens in need of what Tango has found. Take a look, and think about opening your heart and home to one (or two!) of them…the world is a much nicer place when we can share a little love!

Caring Cat Cafe

Japan Cat Network — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:08:31 +0000

We received the nicest scrapbook from Cafe Nyanny, where our Hinata and Naruto (Now Kota and Waka) went last year (See the entire book here!). The cat cafe recently held a charity event to encourage donations towards these two cats’ “hometown” and were able to raise ¥57,930! Thanks very much to the staff at Cafe Nyanny and their visitors, for their generous donations. The money will go towards the cost of care for kittens in much the same situation as Hinata and Naruto were in last year. Found in a park, these kittens would previously have been destined for destruction or a traumatic death in the surrounding area. JCN, with the help of local volunteers, is able to help start TNR projects in these areas and accept kittens found there, to re-home from our shelter. All healthy kittens rescued on TNR projects last year were re-homed, and we need your help to have an equally successful record this year. Please do what you can to promote and support adoption! Every kitten adopted through JCN supports population control and a step closer to a future of no more homeless cats.
Take a look at who’s in our nursery this week!

Summer Lovin’

Japan Cat Network — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:19:55 +0000

The kitties are all making the best of these hot days by sprawling and snuggling on the cool concrete! 8 went out to new placements last week, and we are planning another trip to Tokyo for the 28th and 29th. This is a great time to get your applications for adoption in, so that we might be able to process them in time for the next trip out with kittens. A casual volunteer meeting is planned in Tokyo, for August 29th, so contact us for details if you are interested in stopping by for that.

Did someone say siesta?

Japan Cat Network — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:51:22 +0000

Join us in Kansai for our Summer Barbecue Fiesta this SUNDAY (very sorry for the previous mistake), August 9! Fajitas, Spanish rice, nachos, and quesadillas will be on the menu, not to mention some interesting cold drinks. Donations of ¥3,000 for adults, or ¥1,500 for children will go towards shelter care costs. The party will be held at the beach, but we’ll provide shuttle service from JR Inae station. For more details and to reserve a place, please contact us A.S.A.P.