What is the Amami Cat Club?
The current situation surrounding cats on Amami Oshima
What is the cat problem in Amami?
The Amami forests are home to rare ecosystems, including virgin forests that have remained unchanged since ancient times and wildlife unique to Amami.
However, many wildlife species are currently facing the threat of extinction, and one of the main causes is invasive species that prey on rare species.
Cats are now considered an invasive species.
In urban areas and densely populated residential areas, problems with feces and urine occur just like in urban areas. Many cats are killed in traffic accidents and due to illness. In order to solve these problems, including the damage caused to rare species, Amami Oshima has enacted ordinances for keeping cats and is taking various measures.
[Major invasive species]
Mongooses, goats, dogs, cats, bullfrogs, African snails, goldenrods, American sea cucumbers, etc.
■ Ordinances and measures enacted on Amami Oshima
Activity details
1. Advice and educational activities on how to care for cats
② Providing accurate information about cats and their charms
3) Stray cat countermeasures (TNR, community cats, etc.) and related research and investigations
④Protecting and transferring rescued cats
What is TNR?
TNR is a worldwide method of trapping stray cats, neutering them, and then returning them to their original habitat.
Spaying and neutering is one way to reduce the number of stray cats. The tips of the ears must be clipped so that you can easily tell if the cat has been neutered or not.
Activities
Survey of stray cat habitats (feral cat monitoring)
Since 2019, we have been conducting ongoing surveys of outdoor cat habitats in some areas of Amami City.
This survey is a resident participation survey, and with the cooperation of local residents,
We will check not only the habitat and number of birds, but also whether or not the tips of their ears have been cut (※).
Information on uncut cats will be shared with the Amami City department in charge and used in the city's TNR program.
The survey results are provided to residents through reports and newsletters.
By having all residents participate, we can raise awareness of the cat problem and share awareness of the issue even among those who were not previously interested.
This is a very good awareness campaign.
*Ear tip cutting = TNR (see explanation above) Cut the tips of your cat's ears in a V shape to indicate that the measures have been taken.
Pet disaster evacuation initiatives
"Amami Oshima Pet Disaster Prevention Association" launched
In these days when a major disaster could occur at any time, how to treat pets during a disaster has become a major social issue.
The Amami Cat Club, together with local veterinarians and several volunteer pet owners, has been working hard for several years, holding repeated discussions with Amami City.
In the spring of 2024, three pet-friendly evacuation shelters were selected. At the same time, the Amami Oshima Pet Disaster Prevention Association was established, with pet owners playing a central role in the operation of the shelters. (An agreement was signed with Amami City in May 2024.)
This is just the first step, but we need the cooperation of many pet owners.
We hope that many pet owners will join us.
For more information, please visit the Disaster Prevention Association website.
An evacuation drill held on May 26, 2024
Cat rescue and adoption activities
Even before the Amami Cat Club was established, the COVO TANA secretariat began its rescue and adoption activities.
This was the trigger for the establishment of the Amami Cat Club.
They were abandoned at COVO TANA, were weak, or were caught in TNR.
We receive inquiries and information about rescued cats through a variety of channels.
However, the Amami Cat Club's rescue and adoption activities are self-financed, and there are a lack of facilities and personnel.
There is a limit to what you can accept, so you can't take on everything.
However, we are still trying to protect and transfer as much as possible.
The situation remains extremely difficult as activities are limited to adoptions within Amami Oshima.
However, so far, although it is a slow pace, more than 100 animals have been rescued and adopted.
If you are thinking of getting a cat, please consider a rescue cat.
Currently, the cats rescued by the Amami Cat Club are being kept at the cat cafe Gatti.
Event hosting
We collaborate with experts, government agencies, universities, nature conservation organizations, etc.
We hold a variety of events to raise awareness of proper care and cat issues.
Off-site lessons
Creating awareness posters, booklets, etc.
In cooperation with nature conservation groups active in Amami,
We are actively engaged in educational activities, such as visiting elementary and junior high schools on the island to give lectures and distribute our creations.
Consulting services
It has decreased recently,
In the past, we received many serious inquiries about pet ownership issues , such as pet ownership collapse and reckless breeding .
Even now, we receive constant inquiries about fecal and urinary problems.
We receive a wide variety of inquiries every day.
We are taking measures to deal with each situation as much as possible.
TNR activities
Since our inception, we have continued TNR at our own expense.
Currently, a large-scale government-led TNR project is being carried out across the entire Amami Oshima Island, which is of great help to us.
Collecting and consolidating information on cats that have not had their ears cut or have not undergone surgery, obtained through stray cat monitoring and consultations,
We are working together to cooperate in capturing the animals.
What kind of animal is a cat?
・Soft fur and soft body
・Eyes that can see well at night
Their sense of smell and hearing are as good as a dog's.
- Sensitive whiskers and tail
・I like cleanliness
If the litter box is dirty, they may groom themselves and move to another location (which can lead to accidents)
・よく寝る
1日の3分の2は寝てる、とっさの時に全力を出すために体力を温存していると言われている。
- They have sharp claws and teeth
They are said to be the strongest hunters, and if a human is bitten, they can suffer serious injuries and infections.
Good at moving quickly
From a young age, cats learn to hunt as part of their play, not just for food but also as a form of play.
- Good at climbing to high places
He has flexible muscles and is good at jumping. He has excellent athletic ability.
・Things I'm not good at
They don't like strangers or places, they don't like places they've never been to before, they don't like loud noises or voices, and they don't like getting wet. → They are sensitive and delicate to changes in their environment.
High reproductive ability
They are able to breed at six months old, and give birth to an average of three to four pups at a time. They can even give birth two or three times a year.
The Amami Cat Club believes that it is important for owners to fully understand these characteristics of cats and to consider what kind of environment is comfortable for both cats and humans when raising cats.
About proper care
"Keeping an animal" requires not only love, but also money and time. Unlike stuffed animals or toys, animals are living creatures with the same lives as humans, living bravely. If everyone is careful, we can reduce the number of cats that are euthanized and end up on the street.
Furthermore, it will also reduce damage to Amami rabbits and other animals. Please be a kind owner who listens to what your cat wants.
All five municipalities on Amami Oshima - Amami City, Tatsugo Town, Uken Village, Yamato Village, and Setouchi Town - have enacted similar "Ordinances on the Proper Care and Management of Pet Cats." For more information, click here
Register at the city hall or town hall
On Amami Oshima, the "Ordinance on the Proper Care and Management of Pet Cats" requires that all cats be registered. The registration fee is 500 yen. (Please note that cat tags are easy to lose, so please make sure not to lose them by writing down the number.)
Microchip implantation
A microchip, approximately 2mm in diameter and 8-12mm in length, is implanted under the skin at the back of the neck. This increases the chances of finding a pet if it gets lost or separated from its owner in the event of a disaster, and is required by local ordinance as a reliable form of identification to clearly indicate the pet's ownership.
Spaying and neutering surgery
猫は、一度にたくさんの子供を産みます。むやみに繁殖させてしまうと、それだけかわいそうな結末を迎える猫が増えてしまうということです。生後5～6ヶ月以上から手術はできます。性成熟前のなるべく早い時期に手術を行えば、発情期によるストレス（マーキング・鳴き声など）からも解放され、一生涯安定した生活を送ることができます。 飼い主の責任として、必ず手術してあげて下さい。奄美では、猫を止むを得ず外に出して飼育する場合は、避妊・去勢手術が条例により義務づけられています。
Put on a collar and tag
かわいい首輪もたくさんあります。所有 者明記の為の鑑札または、迷子札を着けましょう。迷子札にも登録番号、飼い主の名前、連絡先を記入して、おしゃれしてあげながら猫達を守ってあげましょう。また、首輪は外れやすい為、マイクロチップとの併用が条例により義務づけられています。（例外あり）
Disposal of excrement
Cats are very clean animals. Set up a cat litter box in the room and clean it frequently. Some cats have very specific preferences, so choose the litter or sheet that they like to use to minimize stress.
Keeping them indoors
Most of the problems with cats come from letting them outdoors.
You may feel sorry for your pet living in such a small space, but there are many ways to make it comfortable. With some ingenuity on the part of the owner, you can make sure your pet lives happily. On the other hand, if your pet goes outside, it is at risk of contracting diseases and getting into traffic accidents.
・Make arrangements to allow for up and down movement (such as arranging furniture to create steps or using a commercially available cat tower).
・Measures to prevent escapes (always lock the door, install an inner door, do not leave doors or windows open, use an extra-large cage, etc.)
Health management, vaccinations, etc.
There are many infectious diseases in cats, such as feline AIDS and feline leukemia. Some diseases can be prevented through preventative measures. To maintain your cat's health, it is important to have your cat vaccinated and undergo regular checkups.
Be mindful of communication
"Grooming your cat and playing with them using toys will make them happy and will deepen the bond between you and them. Trimming your cat's nails regularly will help prevent injuries to you and scratches on furniture and pillars. It's also a good idea to provide a place for your cat to scratch. Observe your cat and ask yourself, "How does it want me to touch it?" and "What does it want me to do right now?" and listen to its silent voice.
Ministry of the Environment website: "Pledge! Zero Irresponsible Pet Owners!!"
Ministry of the Environment website: "Let's think about pet food!!"
Organization Overview
Organization name
Amami Cat Club General Incorporated Association
address
1-8 Okumacho, Naze, Amami City, Kagoshima Prefecture, 894-0009
Secretariat cafe COVO TANA
Homepage : https://www.covotana.com/
representative director
Yuko Kuno (Kagoshima Prefecture Animal Welfare Promoter)
Establishment
July 2014
・Type 1 Animal Handling Business Registration Number: Kagoshima Prefecture R5 Naho No. 1034-2 ( Storage)
Kagoshima Prefecture R2 Naho No. 95 (Exhibition)
