Are outdoor cats allowed in Kyoto? I haven’t seen hardly any cats outside so it makes me think the answer is “no”. I’m bringing my cat to Japan in a couple of weeks (we live in Kyoto) and want to learn more about these rules. I tried looking it up but the information was unhelpful. Thanks!
7 comments
Does your cat speak Japanese?
There are volunteer groups in most cities that catch stray cats. Usually they neuter them, chop off part of their ear and then release them.
I make sure my cats have a collar on so the volunteers know they aren’t strays. That works in my neighborhood.
Outdoor cats are horrible for the environment. You shouldn’t let your cat outside regardless.
Allowed? Well, there’s no law against cats roaming free. But I would never let my cats roam outside here.
Feline aids and leukemia are very, very endemic to outdoor cats here. Cars, scooters and cyclists are thick on the ground. Intentional poisoning is common, with rat poison or spraying with pesticides and chemicals. Then there is general abuse like throwing rocks or intentionally driving at them with scooters or slashing them with knives or garden tools.
Then you’ve got your run of the mill psychos who will snatch up friendly cats and torture them to death in videos for likes on the Japanese dark web. One charming gentleman uses welding torches. Another prefers flaying.
There’s a reason street cats in Japan are skittish and unfriendly to strangers.
Is your cat being brought in from abroad? pretty soon they do want to go for a wander and explore their new territory, just like us humans.
The cattery will give you advice and as has already been posted make sure they have a collar on.
Where in Kyoto are you living? I was in Shimogyo-ku for 9 years and saw more cats outside than I can count.
Personally I wouldn’t risk it. I adopted a cat 3 months ago and he’s totally happy being indoors only after living his first years on the streets. I just have to make sure to give him lot of play time and enrichment. He’s happy, healthy and safe, and I have peace of mind.
I saw so many cats in Kyoto getting into fights with other cats or animals (especially crows), dead or injured in the street from what I assume were cars, and/or just incredibly ill.
There was a small colony that lived in front of Bukkoji Temple that always seemed to be struggling with infections. Around the Philospher’s Path you’ll see tons of cats, a mix of nora neko and pets. Pretty much every park has a colony. You’ll see old folks risking the ¥50,000 fine to feed them, and you’ll see a lot of ears with a sakura cut to indicate they were TNR’d.
Afaik there’s nothing stopping people from dumping cats outside, and that’s why I wouldn’t risk it. I don’t know what the rabies situation is like here but there’s plenty of other diseases to worry about, wildlife and people and cars too. Plenty of folks sick of cats scratching up the wood of traditional buildings or pooping in traditional gardens, nothing stopping them from harming your pet if they believe your cat damaged their property.
Depending on where you live in Kyoto, you’ve got bears, boars and monkeys to worry about too.
I trained my cat to walk on a leash. It’s dangerous especially in a dense city to allow your cat to roam.
They’re subject to injury, disease, getting lost, someone mistaking them for homeless, etc.
I would encourage you to keep your cat indoors and maybe try leash training!