Moving to a new country far from home comes with a flurry of emotions. While many of them will be positive, it’s unsurprising that most people eventually encounter feelings of loneliness. No matter how social you may consider yourself, it can be hard to make fulfilling and meaningful friendships abroad. If you find yourself experiencing these kinds of emotions, you might have considered welcoming a furry companion into your home. Dog or cat, hamster or fish, the idea of another living thing around to keep you company is something that tempts many an expat. Don’t even get me started on all the cute stray cats roaming Japan’s streets!
But adopting a pet in Japan offers more than just the joy of bringing home a four-legged friend—it’s a heartwarming way to connect with the local culture and people. Japan, with its deep-rooted affection for animals, provides a unique and compassionate pet adoption experience that often brings visitors closer to the community. From discovering quaint local shelters to witnessing the care and respect Japanese people show towards pets, the journey of adopting in Japan is one of adventure, discovery, and meaningful connections. It’s a chance not only to explore a beautiful country but to form lasting bonds with both people and animals, making your stay in Japan all the more memorable.
Japan’s pet adoption culture
For many years, Japan’s pet culture was largely based in puppy mills and pet shops. These methods of acquiring a pet are still around, as the “adopt, don’t shop” movement has only recently started to make its way into the country. Most of the dogs that I saw out for walks around town were purebred, and, upon sharing a picture of their pet, many of my coworkers would follow up with how expensive the process was. One time, a young student of mine asked me what breed my cat was when she heard I had two back in my home country.
Not only is buying many times more expensive than adopting (sometimes reaching multiple thousands of dollars for a purebred dog or cat), it’s often unethical as well. But, fear not! There are plenty of ways to adopt a pet in Japan, and although they may not be as common, it’s a big help to these shelters and the animals themselves if you provide them a home.
Before you adopt
Of course, owning a pet isn’t all rainbows and sunshine. Animals can be destructive, especially if you’ve adopted a puppy or kitten. No matter how many scratching posts you may provide a cat, if they would rather use your tatami room to sharpen their claws, there’s little you can do. As such, many apartment companies in Japan have strict no-pet policies. Some exceptions may be made for fish or small caged animals like hamsters, but it’s ultimately at the discretion of your building. Before you commit to welcoming a new member into the family, double check that your apartment contract doesn’t have one of these stipulations. Even if pets are permitted, there’s often a size restriction, hence one reason why pet owners in Japan usually have small dogs rather than big or even medium-sized ones.
Another thing to keep in mind is insulation in Japan, which is notoriously ineffective to nonexistent. This may not matter when you’re home and can turn on the aircon in summer or heating in winter. However, if you’ve got a cat staying home while you’re off at work, think about ways to keep your companion’s body temperature regulated. This might mean leaving the cooling or heating feature on throughout the day. Or maybe you can invest in a heated cat or dog bed that is safe to be left on all day.
Adoption process
So, where do you go to find a potential pet? Most major cities will have their own shelters where you can visit and adopt. If you find yourself somewhere too rural to have such a place, however, there are many websites which allow you to browse animals in need of a home from the comfort of your own! The most popular of these websites is Pet Home (ペットのおうち), but searching for petto satooya (ペット里親) will give you many more online recommendations..
That said, the adoption process can be a bit different from what you might expect. It typically includes several steps to make sure both you and your future furry friend are a great match. Most shelters will ask you to fill out an application, have a home visit, and provide some references to ensure your home is a safe and loving environment for the animal.
This process can come with its own challenges.Language barriers can be an issue, especially if you’re not comfortable in Japanese. Some shelters may have English-speaking staff, but it’s not guaranteed, so having a translator or a bilingual friend can be helpful. Additionally, depending on the shelter’s policies, the waiting time for adoption can vary significantly, sometimes taking weeks or even months if they are particularly busy or if you’re looking for a specific breed.
Another challenge might be understanding the expectations of pet ownership in Japan. Shelters often emphasize the importance of long-term commitment, which includes considerations like regular veterinary care and pet insurance, both of which can be unfamiliar to first-time adopters. This focus on commitment also means that sometimes shelters are hesitant to adopt to foreigners since oftentimes they don’t stay in Japan for more than a few years, which is seen as a potential increase in the risk of the animal being given away or abandoned. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible to adopt in Japan, simply that you might get a few more questions about your future plans.
While this might sound a bit overwhelming at first, it’s a testament to how dedicated Japanese shelters are to finding loving homes for their pets. They genuinely want to help potential adopters understand what responsible pet ownership looks like, which fosters long-term care and companionship.
Adopting a pet in Japan not only provides companionship but also serves as a heartwarming bridge to the local culture and community. The emotional benefits of welcoming a furry friend into your life can be profound, alleviating feelings of loneliness and creating lasting bonds. The growing emphasis on adoption in Japan allows people to contribute to the well-being of the country’s animals. However, potential adopters should be mindful of the important considerations, such as housing restrictions and the responsibilities of long-term care, as well as the challenges posed by the adoption process, including language barriers and shelter policies. Despite these hurdles, the journey of pet adoption is one filled with adventure, discovery, and personal growth. Pet adoption is a unique opportunity to enrich both your life and your new pet’s; it’s a rewarding experience that can transform your stay in Japan into something truly special.
