Abandoned Kittens Found in Neighborhood Spark Rescue Effort
TOKYO - A pair of young kittens discovered in a residential neighborhood have prompted a swift response from local animal welfare volunteers, raising concerns about a potential increase in pet abandonment. The kittens,described as a brown tabby and a white-gray,were found needing rescue and care,leading volunteers to believe they were recently kept as indoor pets.
Tomoe Sakagami of the animal welfare association watashini Dekirukoto, was contacted by a resident, Aya Hasegawa, regarding the stranded animals. Sakagami assured Hasegawa they would “protect the animal and look for its owner. If the animal does not show up, we will look for a foster parent.” Hasegawa, along with two other individuals who happened upon the scene, Mr. A and Mr. B, assisted in the rescue operation. Mr. A volunteered to temporarily house the brown tabby kitten.
The rescue proved challenging, as the white-gray kitten exhibited extreme wariness. “The brown tabby cub entered the carrier right away, but the white-gray cub is very wary and is having a hard time,” Hasegawa reported. Sakagami then arranged for her sister to bring a trap to the location.
To entice the hesitant kitten, Sakagami advised using a strongly scented food.Hasegawa recalled, “It’s karaage, right? My sister taught me about it.” Sakagami later exclaimed, “Okay! Karaage-kun is amazing!” upon the kitten’s accomplished capture. Volunteers emphasize that strongly scented foods are particularly effective in attracting wary cats during rescue or protective efforts. They recommend lining traps with newspaper or towels to prevent injury and reduce visual stress for the animal.
