Cats of Japan’s “Cat Island” Survive Earthquake Along With Elderly Caretakers

03/16/2011

On Tashirojima, an island about 9 miles off the coast of Japan, cats outnumber its 100 aging human residents, and luckily, all survived the devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit the country last week.  But both the feline and human residents of “Cat Island,” like so many others, are in desperate need of aid.

Read more at Discovery News.

According to Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support, the people and cats of Tashirojima are short of food, but an army helicopter with supplies was on the way. The organization also asked that cat food be provided, too.

The feral cat population on Tashirojima exploded after fishermen brought the pets to curb the island's growing rat population. The cats are valued for their beauty and companionship, and Cat Island, which features a shrine for felines and cat-shaped homes, had become a popular tourist destination for cat lovers.

Comments

[Mary B Kennedy]

This is a wonderful article. We have 4 cats, at one time 7, also here for keeping away rats etc. But much loved as pets. So glad these will be taken care of.

[Big Bad Baby Twinkle]

Big Bad Baby Twinkle walks up to the computer, bows, and says: "I yam very very happy that ALL the good peepul and kitties on that special place are safe."

[A.F. for Animal Planet]

I am so glad that humans and felines are safe for the moment, but if things get any worse with what is happening with the Fukishima nuclear power plant, it may not stay that way.

I have concerns!

[kelly]

Thats great news, bless all their fuzzy little hearts

[Marilyn]

I am a cat lover too, with 5 cats, but i think they need to do some neutering there and slow down the cat population. Some of those cats dont look too healthy.

[paulette jordan]

Yes,I love felines,and am thrilled that they survived!I think some of the donation money could go to spaying and neutering and also to vaccinations.We are all responsible for their well-being in all ways,not just feeding them.Thank you for the great story!

[Nancy]

I agree about the spay neuter. These are domestic animals. There lives can't be quality lives. It would depress me to tour that island.

[Rogi Riverstone]

Japan will be fine. She will be better than before. She is relearning the value of community, simplicity, courage, compassion, cooperation. People are leaving gifts of food and water to total strangers, seeing the stars for the first time.

Japan will develop the most sophisticated wind energy program on the planet. She'll develop community housing and public transportation. New technologies in communications will evolve.

Many Japanese will emigrate to Europe, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and return money to relatives back home. In a few decades, they will return to their homeland, brimming with even better visions of recovery, having lived in heterogeneous communities.

Japan will be the first nation to evolve beyond corporate, crony capitalism into something more humanistic, cooperative and sustainable. Japan will show us the way.

I have no idea where it came from and I'm not a woo woo person. I just know it can happen. The Japanese went from submitting to cultural expectations to flirting with American style individualism. But, in their hearts, they are Japanese, and that comes first. Cell phones, Elvis impersonations and Lolicon don't matter a hill of beans now. Japanese aren't afraid of hard work and do not indulge in self pity. They know how to do it without complaining and they know how to live sparse.

I grieve for the dead, for the families, for lost art and culture.

And I look at what Japan has done since the end of WWII. Yes, they got economic assistance from the "West." But THEY did the work. The Japanese TOILET is a miracle of modern science, compared to squatting over an open hole in the floor. They'll innovate their way out of this, watch and see.

I just think we need to start spreading this rumor, and it will happen.

http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com/2011/03/japan.html

[Natalie]

I am more a dog lover, but it this news fills my heart with joy, And pain - for all the ictims of Tchernobyl disaster I remember so well....
And - just like then,in late spring 1986,while the horrible clouds were on the way towards us, a small town in Ukraine, known for it beauty and many churches peolple there did not destroy during decades of Soviet power, remained intact... A tiny clean spot on the map.

[karla]

Ai meu deus eu amooo gatos ...
gostaria d ajudar...

[martha]

I love love love love cats I have five and i´m really happy to know that they are ok and the islad too but I want to know how we can send food for the cats on the island and the people too. Kiss everyone

[ScarletDove]

Please post name(s of charitable organization(s) that will be providing food for the cats and people of Cat Island? I will make a donation.

[Cherie K. Miller]

I've been glued to the television this week watching the drama in Japan. I'm so glad for some good news! Yeah cats!

www.pet-peeves.org

[Celine ODonovan]

look into the cat on the left's eyes and go about your daily business - Im sure you cant, where on earth can I give money to these animals - it seems like we see them but cant help them. Bless them all, each angel of them, xxxx

[Celine ODonovan]

Please email me at celine_odonovan@eircom.net - I want to get money t0 those cats, and food. I dont agree with the 'arent you all wonderful comments' - you most certainly are, but you need funds for these cats and a neutering scheme,

[Celine ODonovan]

Contact me with your planned neutering scheme, where donations can be sent, and proof it goes to the cats, Im sure you are doing a wonderful job, but when you are on the other side of the world .. you need proof , Thanks

[Irish Cornaire]

I am thrilled to know the wee moggies and they'er humans are safe but I do agree,some of the moggies dont look so good,they need to be fixed so they can stop reproducing!

[Analia]

In my house there are 4 cats between 7 and 3 years old. They give a lot of love to me.
How I see them in this web, I cant believe that the cats are very well.
"The cats have 7 lives"

[sympathay messages]

There are genuine thin bolgs which are pestering to cater this compassionate of convenient accumulation, your journal is the unexcelled of all. i appriciate your regard.

[Mickey T Cat]

This is a Government cover-up orchestrated by the Feline Fellowship.

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