Frequently Asked Questions
Adoption Process
I'm interested in adopting an animal. What do I need to do?
Please complete and submit the Kawakuji adoption application form. If your application is approved, we can move forward with other procedures as stated on our adoption page.
Where can I see what animals are available for adoption?
We announce when each each cat or kitten is available on our social media! For the most accurate updates, please check there first.
Why is a phone interview and home visit required?
These procedures allow us to get to know potential adopters and help us make the best decisions for our animals. We want to ensure that once an animal is adopted, they will be in the most compatible forever home.
Are there costs involved?
Animals transferred from Kawakuji Animal Rescue are already vaccinated twice, microchipped, FIV/FeLV tested, dewormed, and sterilized. These medical procedures cost at least 30,000 yen. We ask prospective foster parents to donate a portion of this amount as a cooperative donation.
Is it possible to only adopt one of the cats listed as a pair?
We only adopt out individual cats if they arrived to us as a singleton. The reason we require some of our cats to be adopted together is because they are a bonded pair. Many of the kittens in our care arrive in large litters, so they are attached to their siblings and would not do well alone. In some circumstances, we will separate kittens if they will be joining a cat already in your home.
Why does it seem like you only adopt out pairs of animals?
It seems counterintuitive, but often two cats is easier than one as they are much less prone to behavioral issues stemming from loneliness and boredom. The majority of cats and kittens we intake come in as large litters or already in bonded pairs. It would be more traumatic to separate them at that point than to keep them together waiting for a forever home a little longer.
Is it possible to adopt a single cat or kitten?
Yes. However, because we try to never separate bonded pairs, you will be waiting until a cat or kitten comes in alone. As the majority of our intakes come in as large litters or in already bonded pairs, you could be on our waiting list for an extended period of time.
I filled out an application, why haven't I heard back from you?
If you didn't receive a reply to your application, it's because we don't have an animal that is an appropriate fit at the moment. We keep all applications on file and will contact you if an appropriate animal becomes available.
The kitten/s I applied for was adopted by someone else. Why didn't you contact me?
Unfortunately, we often receive far more applications than there are kittens available. We screen each application and contact those who we think would be a good fit for the animal/s in question. We may contact you if there are other animals in our care we think could be compatible with you or your family.
TNR
Can you help me TNR my neighborhood?
That largely depends on where you are located and the resources currently available to us. We operate out of Ibaraki Prefecture, and while we may be able to travel to a nearby prefecture, our volunteers need time to plan such an outing. Additionally, it is rare that every cat in a colony can be trapped in one day, so multiple trips will have to be scheduled. If you would like to look for resources in your area, please check our TNR Resources page for more information.
General Questions
I found a kitten, what should I do?
First of all, check its condition. If the kitten is young enough to be nursing and looks healthy, that means its mom is likely nearby and it's best to leave the kitten alone and observe the area. We rarely want to separate mom from babies, and will try to take them in together. If the kitten/s have been obviously abandoned (they're dirty, emaciated, or otherwise in danger), then it is ok to remove them.
When you have an orphaned kitten too young to eat solid foods DO NOT FEED THEM COW'S MILK. It is a common misconception that cow's milk is suitable for kittens and cats, and it will cause more harm than good. Instead, kitten formula can be found at most pet supply stores. Newborn kittens must be fed every two hours, so make sure you are prepared for this responsibility. We recommend Kitten Lady's expertise and her tutorials for how to care for orphaned kittens.
Can you take this cat I found?
The short answer is "maybe." If we have an available foster, and you are nearby to our location, we will assess the animal. Kittens under 12 weeks old can usually be socialized and adopted, but older kittens are usually happier to remain outside and we recommend TNR for those cases at a later date.
Unfortunately, we do not currently have the space or resources to socialize older cats.