Friday, June 8, 2012

Hey, chalk one up for the pets!

He never loved you!
I think it's fair to say that Japan still has some ways to go when it comes to the treatment of animals. I'm not certain on how the actual animal cruelty laws look in comparison with those of the US and the major European countries, but I feel quite certain in saying that Japan is still lagging behind in this area.

However, recently there was some good news on this front. Up until now, some pet shops (
particularly in the Shinjuku area) had been open until well into the early morning with the puppies and kitten on full display in their little plastic boxes. Those shops seem to be geared towards the ladies of the night who feel the craving for a little puppy when they get of their shift at early morning... That there is a large pet market for that industry is another slightly disturbing subject...

But from June the regulation now states that a pet shop cannot have their pets exposed to artificial light past eight PM, which is at least a smaller step forward and might save a few puppies and kittens from early trauma. Still, plenty more that needs to be done, but at least a step forward!  

4 comments:

Ἀντισθένης said...

"A pet shop cannot have their pets exposed to artificial light past eight PM". Great, but I can't get the native-wife to turn off the wattage of the horrible ceiling lights they have here. I've turned it off for one corner lamp and the TV trying to get my brain ready for night, and she comes in to flip on the lights you need a nuclear reactor to power. FWHAP!!

Who needs sleep? I can sleep when I'm dead.

Foggia said...

Actually, rumor has it that there are all-night pet shops not because hostesses crave a puppy’s affection at 5am, but more because this is a good gift to receive from customers:
The lady cannot really ask for money as a present (not subtle enough)
The stooge doesn’t want to offer watches or jewelry that he knows will be sold back in an instant
There is a certain emotion related to animals that makes the stooge feel his present will have an impact on the lady
In the end, the hostess can still sell the pet back to one of those pet shops any time of the night/morning.
Plus, she doesn’t have to show she wears the present next time the stooge comes, just lie about how the dog makes her so happy, blah blah blah, so it’s a big winning situation.

Chris said...

As a pet lover and caretaker I welcome this little step. Little steps are still steps :)

Let the animals sleep.

(cats are most active at night so it means shit for them)

Mr. Salaryman said...

Ἀντισθένης - I do feel with you indeed! I have the same thing at home but finally managed to convince her to basically never use them at full power anymore!

Foggia - Huh? Never heard that but it actually makes sense so I can buy into that. Win-Win indeed, except for the puppies ;)

Chris - Yep, but still the cats need a little darkness at some time (and being away from all those people knocking on their boxes and stuff...)

Related Posts with Thumbnails