Is it possible to spay and neuter cats on the island?
Is it possible to spay and neuter cats on the island? On a small island in Japan that is currently a kitty heaven and a well-liked tourist destination, authorities are concerned that there may be too many cats running around at large.
The Japanese island of Aoshima is particularly unique. It is a small area within the Ehime Prefecture with only 13 residents. On the other hand, it is the most well-known cat island in Japan (yes, there are others!) because it also has 130 cats living there. Visitors from all over the world travel to the island to witness the literal overpopulation of cats that roam the streets without restriction.
Authorities are concerned that there may already be too many cats in the globe. And the Aoshima Cat Protection Society recommends that they all get spayed or neutered to help with population control. The Aoshima Cat Protection Society is mostly in charge of the care and well-being of the cats because the 13 inmates, on average, are older than 75.
The city is now providing funding to spay and neuter the cats as a result of the Society’s spay/neuter campaign, which was launched in July. This is due to the island’s steadily diminishing population (down two people from the 15 people who lived there four years ago) and the lack of any significant infrastructure on the island (or the cats).
Veterinarians connected to the Dobutsu Kikin animal welfare organization would administer the treatments in Aoshima. They would consequently have to remain on the island, incurring travel and lodging expenses. Aoshima generates no cash despite being a well-liked tourist destination because there is no commerce there; not even vending machines. The Society concerns that allowing the cats to roam free in packs could result in sanitary or other problems with feral colonies that they would like to prevent right now but is unable to afford the cost of upkeep.
In order to begin the surgeries right away and reduce the number of newborn kittens that will need to be cared for, they are hopeful that the funding proposal will be approved when the Japanese fiscal year begins this spring.
