Japan's Unwanted Dogs Face Almost Certain Death
Submitted on Apr 20, 2010 (Original item from 2010)
Companion Animals | International Research | Pet Adoption, Rescue or Shelters | Pet Ownership
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Short Description:
This overview of shelter dogs in Japan reveals a dire situation in which more than 70% of shelter dogs are euthanized each year. According to this article, the situation is due in part to Japanese citizens considering companion animals on the same level as property, though attitudes may be changing.
Abstract:
In contrast to other industrialized nations, Japanese citizens place higher value on puppies and pedigrees versus adopting a dog from a shelter. For example, 6-9% of dogs in Britain are euthanized each year, compared with 70% of shelter dogs who euthanized annually in Japan. In rural areas, this figure can be much higher.
In 2008, there were more than 6.8 million dogs in Japan and more than 118,000 ended up in the dog pound during the year. At the Tokushima Animal Welfare Center alone, more than 2,700 dogs were euthanized in the year leading up to March 2009.
Experts cite the Japanese perception of dogs as objects to be one major cause of this situation, although there is evidence that attitudes are slowly changing due to increasing media coverage of the shelter dog problem in recent years.
Spot Check Number:
1352
Sponsor:
Reuters
Animal Type:
Dogs
Record Type:
News Article
Research Method:
Unknown or Not Applicable
Geographic Region:
International
Number of Participants:
Not Applicable
Population Descriptors:
Japanese citizens
Year Conducted:
2010
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