Japan to Enforce Pet Curfew

Published March 6, 2012

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Beginning June 1, Japan will be enforcing a pet curfew for dogs and cats.

Animal lovers among the Japanese public are fuming, and rightfully so.

According to an article put out by Time, Japan is getting set to enforce a pet curfew that bans cats or dogs from being seen in public past 8 p.m. In a revision to its pre-existing animal-protection law, Japan is enforcing laws regarding what it deems "the public display of cats and dogs." Beginning June 1, the "cat curfew", as it's being dubbed, will take effect.

Aside from upsetting the general public, the law will directly affect the owners of Japan's popular cat cafe's, cafe's that allowed their patrons to interact with animals while they enjoyed a cup of tea. The cat cafe's were popular among many Japanese animal lovers who, due to stricter housing regulations and smaller living areas, were unable to own pets themselves. They provided an opportunity for animal lovers to get their kitty fix without owning a pet themselves, and gave them the chance to relax after a hard day's work by interacting with a kitty. Beginning June 1, however, these evening escapades will be extinct.

Owners of the cat cafe's are upset, as much of their revenue comes during the evening hours. Some owners playfully say their cat's are cuter in the evenings, too, although this subject is up for debate.

What do you think about Japan enforcing this pet curfew? How would you react if such a curfew were enacted where you live? Share your thoughts in a comment!

Ryan Karpusiewicz Ryan Karpusiewicz is the Assistant Editor, Lifestyle, for Digital Works @ NBC U, whose main…

Filed Under: News & Blogs, News
Tags: Cats, Animal Laws, japan

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Comments (3)

Aikurushii (Unverified)

Added 03-10-2012 07:25pm

Thank you to the commenter below - there is much more to this law than the article points out. It will negatively impact cat cafes, until they receive seperate business distinction from pet stores. However, the protection that pet store puppies and kittens will receive is well worth it. Please, please do not judge a culture you do not understand. The Japanese are devoted animal lovers - and they also cherish their children.

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Anonymous

Added 03-09-2012 03:37am

To the person that already commented - I don't think you understand the law. I live in Japan and have followed this closely as I work animal welfare here. There is nothing in the law that says that people can not walk their animals at night, the law is only about animals that are being used as merchandise. The law is aimed at pet stores were animals are kept in small glass boxes in stores that are usually open until the early hours of the morning under bright lights. The stores are open so late to catch the drunks walking home from the bars, since they are so drunk they make bad choices that can and do include buying a puppy or kitten on the way home. This is a terrible thing for these animals, not only because the poor animals are poked and prodded all night by drunks with little to no time to sleep but also because there is no shelter system in Japan so most of the drunk purchases will be dropped of at local hokensho(animal control) where over 80% of them will be euthanized. I can understand the misunderstanding that you may have taken from this article but it in no way refers to owned animals, the reason it is affecting the cat cafes is because they are making money off the animals and are categorized with the pet stores. The problem is that there needs to be a differentiation between the cat cafes and the pet stores, but I stand behind the new law as it affect pet stores.

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Anonymous

Added 03-07-2012 04:01am

It is an INSANE LAW that they have created. So no more doggies getting to go potty when their pet owners come home from work late..REALLY? WHAT'S NEXT, NO CHILDREN OUTSIDE PAST 7 pm? Could be a law already as they are a bit whacked...