Cats have a bad name in Japan - suggesting a Japanese woman has feline qualities is an insult, while comparing her to a rabbit or tortoise is a compliment. Macho male Japan regards neutering male kittens with abhorrence so nobody wants female kittens. And black kittens, as everybody knows, are unlucky. The worst thing that can happen is to become surrogate parent to black female kittens.

If you do, and you have to feed them, milk substitute is available from Tamaya department store in their pet section. You can also buy a rubber teat and feed bottle. It is expensive though, and they need feeding every two hours.

Getting rid of them.

If you persevere enough you can usually get rid of young animals. There are several places you can try - but to be successful you must start when he animal is very young, as soon as you get it is preferable. Don't wait until it has stopped being kawai before you look for a home - by then it is too late. Anything over 8 weeks is delicious with wasabe..

1) Give and Get Puppies (Public Space)

Every month 2nd Sat from 13:30 to 15:30 At Doubutsukanri Center

(west 891-1231) (east 691-0131)

From 1 month to 3 month puppies available. (Animals not given a home will be destroyed)

For Dogs: injection(once a year) Charge 2370 +document fee 530 Register (once a life) 3000

2) Fukuoka Animal Foster Parents Group

A volunteer Group for arrangement of foster parents, a movement for reducing experiments on animals.

3) Every day in front of Tenjin Core (Fukuoka) 11:00-18:00. A group of volunteer ladies handle animal exchanges. If you want a dog, cat or other small animals, visit them. Bring Your ID , Inkan ,and a carry bag for put in the animal. They will also accept animals from you under certain terms. Call them on 092 522 8692 for full details. They are a charity and usually overloaded as they seem to have a policy of not killing animals.

Note - it is VERY important that you try to find a home for your animal while it is still very young. Anything over 8 weeks is neko-zushi..

4) Also try the animal welfare service 0n 713 0101 - they will take a note of your animal and put you in touch with any prospective foster parent. Again - register at birth or before. There are various noticeboards around town, try 2nd floor Shoppers Daiei and Message magazine in the "recycle section) Tel 712 0742 Fax 781 9100 (about ´600 an ad.)

Perseverance pays off. If not there are 40 vets in Fukuoka, basic injections for a cat cost ´6000 and neutering ´20,000. Animals are still considered a luxury item in Japan. If you know of other places where readers can advertise animals do please tell us.

Fukuoka City recently put out a pamphlet regarding animal welfare exhorting owners to be responsible and giving advice and information. The Gleaner is always interested in animal welfare issues. We can't take your animals, but we will do what we can to help.