February 22 (nyan-nyan-nyan, the sound of cats meowing in Japanese) is Cat Day. Nishinomiya City Animal Center is looking for new owners for cats that have been taken in or surrendered.
The center is always accepting applications from people who would like to become new owners. If you are interested, please contact us by phone, as reception and interviews are held at the Nishinomiya City Animal Management Center. Please note that this is a registration-based system, so animals cannot be handed over immediately after reception and the interview. Reception and interviews are held Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
＊Do you understand lifelong care?
＊Do you have a place to keep the animal where pet ownership is permitted?
＊Are you 20 years of age or older, and able to care for the animal within Nishinomiya City or nearby areas?
＊Can you have the adopted animal spayed or neutered?
＊For cats, will you keep them indoors?These and other points will be discussed during the interview.
About the Animal Adoption Program | Nishinomiya City Website￥
It seems there are currently four cats available for adoption in Nishinomiya City. Photos of the cats are posted on the website.
https://www.nishi.or.jp/smph/kenko/hokenjojoho/pet/dobutsujodo.html
For more details, please contact the Animal Welfare Team of the city’s Living Environment Division.
Phone number: 0798-81-1220
What to Keep in Mind Before Getting a Cat
Welcoming a cat as a new member of the family is truly exciting, isn’t it?
But having a cat means living together for many, many years.
Whether your living environment is ready is the bare minimum: for example, “pets aren’t allowed in my apartment” or “my family isn’t on board” are issues that need to be settled first.
There are also many expenses, such as pet food, treats, litter sheets, spaying or neutering, and vaccinations.
Can you take your cat to the vet right away if it gets sick? Can you care for it not just at the beginning, but all the way to the end?
Perhaps you really, truly have to love cats to be able to have one.
As something to keep in mind before getting a cat, here is the Ten Commandments of Dog Ownership. There is actually a cat version too, but personally, this one feels more fitting.
- My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Please remember that before you decide to live with me.
- Please give me time to understand what you want from me.
- Please trust me. That is what makes it possible for me to live happily with you.
- Please don’t scold me for a long time or lock me away as punishment. You may have work, hobbies, and friends. But I only have you.
- Please talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understand your words, your voice reaches me.
- I will never forget how you treated me.
- Before you hit me or bully me, please remember this: even though I have sharp teeth that could hurt you, I choose not to hurt you.
- Before you scold me for not listening, being stubborn, or being lazy, please notice whether I might be suffering from something. Maybe there is a problem with my food, or maybe I have been left in the sun for too long. Or perhaps my body is growing old and weak.
- Please take care of me even when I grow old. You, too, will grow old in the same way.
- Please stay by my side until the very end. Please don’t say things like, “I can’t bear to watch anymore,” or “It’s too painful.” Because you are by my side, I can pass peacefully on my final day. Please don’t forget: I have loved you more than anyone for my entire life.
The Ten Commandments of Dog Ownership is apparently a well-known piece that has been passed around the world by an unknown author.
Of course, it wasn’t actually written by a dog, but it would be wonderful if we could understand even a little of how dogs and cats feel. Oh, though this one is the dog version.
