The Need for Shelters
For this #WiseWednesday, we want to share a recent story and to talk about the importance of animal shelters. Takeshi, a feral kitty from a Kyoto TNR area, appeared with a huge wound on his face. Volunteers caught him, and brought him to the clinic to be neutered. While doing surgery and checking the wound, the clinic discovered and removed several tumors from his face. Takeshi was stitched up carefully, but he clearly needed time for the wound to heal. The clinic suggested keeping him in the trap for 2 weeks. Under most circumstances, the only other option would be immediate release. Instead, Takeshi came to the JCN Kyoto Rescue House to stay in a comfy big cage in the rehab room. The TNR volunteers come weekly to help with cat care, which provides ongoing support for the shelter. After two weeks, Takeshi’s wound had healed well, and he was released this past Sunday. He’s now doing well after release, and coming daily to the feeding area. We’ve sheltered lots of TNR kitties for rehab, and we are happy to support this meaningful work. But, it’s concerning to think about the many TNR volunteers who don’t have a local shelter to work together with, in this way. We’d like to share 5 reasons sheltering is an essential aspect of animal welfare, and the importance of providing support.
Reason 1: TNR is not enough
Spay/neuter of cats on the streets is absolutely essential in order to control the population. However, when it comes to trying to ensure quality of life, cats will need medical attention from time to time. In addition, abandoned kittens and friendly cats in these areas are often in serious danger. Shelters who support TNR activities can help volunteers by quickly accepting the most vulnerable in colonies, such as young kittens, friendly cats and/or cats who become unwell.
Reason 2: Fostering is not enough
While fostering can indeed be a life saving aspect, availability is not always immediate, and special needs care might not be an option. A shelter can address these issues. In addition, fostering is often short term, with the hope of permanent placements soon on the horizon. In case that doesn’t happen, the safety net of a shelter can give fosters more confidence in becoming involved, expanding the number of total placements available.
Reason 3: Adoption is not enough
The truth is, forever doesn’t always last forever. Lives sometimes change in unexpected and very damaging ways. Loss of jobs, family connections, pet friendly housing, or even lives, can put animals in immediate need of safe places to go. Shelters provide a place to stay until foster or new adoptive homes are found, and a convenient place for potential caregivers to meet the animals. In addition, the loaning of stored resources, such as big cages or traps, can help animals remain in and/or return to homes when things go wrong or times become difficult.
Reason 4: Social media is not enough
Lasting community and social impact takes more than words and pictures online, as helpful as these might also be. A place where volunteers can come to help; where resources are stored; where events can be held; and where animals can receive experienced care, directly improves the lives of animals as well as the lives of the people trying to help them. It also demonstrates firsthand the positive impact made on resident animals’ lives.
Reason 5: Caring is not enough
It’s a great place to start, but just caring about and wanting the best for animals in our community, or larger area, is not enough to actually improve conditions. If we want shelters to be there when needed, and to be able to provide humane services, those shelters need regular support. With so few shelters available and running in Japan, every existing program is inundated with constant requests for help. There are often not enough resources to meet all of these needs, nor volunteers to provide the care. Action is needed, in the form of funding, hands on help, and spreading the word, in order to keep shelters open and to increase the number of animals helped.
All aspects of humane efforts made on behalf of animals in need are of value. There are some unique challenges to sheltering in Japan, but it remains an essential aspect to improving animal welfare. Regularly supporting sheltering efforts to start and continue running, will expand availability of resources and help to ensure safe places to go, for animals in urgent need.
Check out these articles about the importance and benefits of sheltering programs, as well as how to get started on a rescue effort of your own:
If you’d like to get involved with JCN’s animal rescue efforts, click here.