Just Experienced A Japanese Pet Shop.

[melzawelza]

We're holidaying in Japan at the moment, currently in Fukuoka.

We went out walking tonight and came across a Japanese pet shop.'words cannot explain how absolutely hideous, cruel and unbelievable this place was. I'll list all the things that upset me.

1. Wall to wall puppies in glass boxes stacked one on top of the other, however they were in there by themselves, not with littermates or anything else.

2. There were no air holes in the boxes.

3. The boxes were tiny, a third of the size of the type you see at our pet shops. There were some pups that were clearly older and hadn't sold and one could barely fit in the box (pic below)

4. Numerous pups were clearly sick. One little Merle Dachsund X looking pup quite clearly had canine cough, was extremely thin and didn't look over 6 weeks old.

5. One of the older oodley pups had a hack job haircut that was clearly just to chop marts out because the little thing hadn't been brushed.

6. It was approaching 10pm and all the lights were on so pups couldn't sleep

Upsetting behaviours

1. Pups were scratching and digging desperately at the glass, due to being in absolute isolation.

2. Some were desperately trying to stick heir noses up to the seal of the glass to breathe fresh air

3. One pup was just constantly licking the glass in this OCD displacement type behaviour

4. The older pup with the shoddy haircut did a loose shit, then immediately turned around and ate it

5. Other pups were spinning in circles.

This is all that I can even remember right now. I cannot describe the horror, I was desperately fighting tears. It made our pet shops look like the Ritz in comparison.

I took some photos but they really don't show how bad it really was, and because I was so shocked I didn't really get many.

The worst feeling was knowing I couldn't do anything.'in Australia I would have ripped the owner a new one until I was escorted put, but I don't even speak the language. I'm wondering if there is anywhere I can write to express my disgust in Japan as a tourist. I know it most likely won't do anything but at least it is SOMETHING.

photos below.

[raz]

I'm wondering if there is anywhere I can write to express my disgust in Japan as a tourist. I know it most likely won't do anything but at least it is SOMETHING.

The Japan Times. A lot of the journos are American expats. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/

Your letter would have more impact if you also have proof that they're selling endangered baby animals. God I lived there in the early 90s and I'm disheartened to see things just havent changed.

[corvus]

Those sorts of things stay with you. I'm still horrified from discovering anyone can walk into a pet shop in California and buy a baby Boa Constrictor 5 years on. I'm still appalled at the way pigs and chickens are kept here, but because no one sees it it is mostly accepted. Animal welfare has come a long way, but still has a long way to go, here as anywhere.

[KKDD]

I'm wondering if there is anywhere I can write to express my disgust in Japan as a tourist. I know it most likely won't do anything but at least it is SOMETHING.

The Japan Times. A lot of the journos are American expats. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/

Your letter would have more impact if you also have proof that they're selling endangered baby animals. God I lived there in the early 90s and I'm disheartened to see things just havent changed.

I agree. A published letter (or better still, an article with pictures) is a more powerful tool than just expressing your displeasure to the shop owner (particularly if you cant speak the language). A community that has pet shops is a community that has a significant proportion of people who love pets (even if we dont like the way they do it). Being broadly judgemental will win you no supporters, but drawing attention to the tangible suffering of these helpless little guys, and others like them, may get a positive response.

Good luck!

[Christina]

There are no animal cruelty or welfare laws in Japan, other asian countries & many countries all over the world.

So why anyone would want to export an entire animal still astounds me. There is no guarantee or way of finding out what happens once it has gone.

Culture is different in Japan so this is considered normal. Look at the whaling issue.

I know someone who worked with pedigree horses there. Kept in a high tower block & rotated outside

for them all but I doubt there is much you can do except make sure none of your dogs go there & keep out of pet shops

[Lindainfa]

Yes I saw the same thing in Japan, March this year. The one I went to even had these little baby monkeys for sale!!! I tried to take photos of them but I got busted and screamed at and had to leave, which I wanted to do anyway because its seriously disturbing in there.

[Lindainfa]

OHhh and I'm sure the monkeys would have been endangered, they got really pissed when I tried to take a photo. Also they were in a birdcage, similar that you would put a budgie in. So sad.

[raz]

OHhh and I'm sure the monkeys would have been endangered, they got really pissed when I tried to take a photo. Also they were in a birdcage, similar that you would put a budgie in. So sad.

Probably. They dont have a problem with selling Appendix 1 animals unfortunately. An American journo I worked with over there constantly ran stories about it but obviously he didnt manage to make any changes if it's still going on.

[felix]

Those sorts of things stay with you. I'm still horrified from discovering anyone can walk into a pet shop in California and buy a baby Boa Constrictor 5 years on. I'm still appalled at the way pigs and chickens are kept here, but because no one sees it it is mostly accepted. Animal welfare has come a long way, but still has a long way to go, here as anywhere.

What's the problem with Boa?

Here in Darwin anyone can buy one of the few species of Python in a pet shop. What's the difference?

[melzawelza]

Thanks so much for the link, I will definitely be writing to them once I'm home. I'll post it here before I send it for some input.

I now am kicking myself that I didn't get more/better photos. I was in such a daze. I didn't get the name of the shop either however I know the street it was on.

[poochmad]

How terribly upsetting. Poor little puppies.

[Moselle]

It is just so disheartening to see that some human beings can be so callous and have no compassion whatsoever for the well-being of animals. I still have nightmarish toughts about the cruelty that takes place in China pertaining to animals. It is beyond me how anyone can conduct themselves in such an atrocious manner towards a defenceless sentient being. I have said my piece on this subject many a times in the past and have had to listen to many excuses but as far as I am concerned....no excuses exist to justify such abominable behaviour in mankind. Some countries definitely stand out from the crowd when it comes to such detestable behaviour towards animals. Very cruel and sad world.....

Edited November 25, 2010 by Moselle

[poodlefan]

It is just so disheartening to see that some human beings can be so callous and have no compassion whatsoever for the well-being of animals. I still have nightmarish toughts about the cruelty that takes place in China pertaining to animals. It is beyond me how anyone can conduct themselves in such an atrocious manner towards a defenceless sentient being. I have said my piece on this subject many a times in the past and have had to listen to many excuses but as far as I am concerned....no excuses exist to justify such abominable behaviour in mankind. Some countries definitely stand out from the crowd when it comes to such detestable behaviour towards animals. Very cruel and sad world.....

Ah, like a moth to a flame...

How do you feel about sow stalls Moselle? I don't for a moment condone animal cruelty but I also don't kid myself that this country has anything to feel superior about.

[Moselle]

It is just so disheartening to see that some human beings can be so callous and have no compassion whatsoever for the well-being of animals. I still have nightmarish toughts about the cruelty that takes place in China pertaining to animals. It is beyond me how anyone can conduct themselves in such an atrocious manner towards a defenceless sentient being. I have said my piece on this subject many a times in the past and have had to listen to many excuses but as far as I am concerned....no excuses exist to justify such abominable behaviour in mankind. Some countries definitely stand out from the crowd when it comes to such detestable behaviour towards animals. Very cruel and sad world.....

Ah, like a moth to a flame...

How do you feel about sow stalls Moselle? I don't for a moment condone animal cruelty but I also don't kid myself that this country has anything to feel superior about.

Yes, PF....like a moth to a flame, huh...

How do I feel about sow stalls? one word....DISGUSTED, so much so that I do not, WILL NOT eat pork or any meat except chicken, free range chicken....not my own as they would have to live out their life if that were the case!

Australia has every reason to feel superior when compared to the atrociousness that takes place in certain parts of the world.

Edited November 25, 2010 by Moselle

[melzawelza]

Australia treats its dogs better (sort of) but we are appalling when it comes to factory farming, live exports etc. We should also be ashamed of ourselves.

[Moselle]

Australia treats its dogs better (sort of) but we are appalling when it comes to factory farming, live exports etc. We should also be ashamed of ourselves.

What do you mean by "sort of" ???

Except for the odd cruelty case, I would say that Australia treats its dogs FAR better than most countries especially one particular nation, no comparisons. Live exporting leaves a lot to be desired, unfortunately and I just wish there was no such thing, it is tragic. Basically what I am saying is that cruelty is an unfortunate reality universally but if we were to start making comparisons....Australia would have to be considered to have a more humane approach than many other countries.

Edited November 25, 2010 by Moselle

[melzawelza]

I say sort of because once these pups get to owners they are generally loved just like any Australian dog. We still have puppy farms and everything else here, so we aren't exactly the bees knees either.

However, this pet shop was unbearable and about ten million percent worse than any of ours.

[corvus]

Those sorts of things stay with you. I'm still horrified from discovering anyone can walk into a pet shop in California and buy a baby Boa Constrictor 5 years on. I'm still appalled at the way pigs and chickens are kept here, but because no one sees it it is mostly accepted. Animal welfare has come a long way, but still has a long way to go, here as anywhere.

What's the problem with Boa?

Here in Darwin anyone can buy one of the few species of Python in a pet shop. What's the difference?

Boas can grow large enough to eat small children.

[felix]

Those sorts of things stay with you. I'm still horrified from discovering anyone can walk into a pet shop in California and buy a baby Boa Constrictor 5 years on. I'm still appalled at the way pigs and chickens are kept here, but because no one sees it it is mostly accepted. Animal welfare has come a long way, but still has a long way to go, here as anywhere.

What's the problem with Boa?

Here in Darwin anyone can buy one of the few species of Python in a pet shop. What's the difference?

Boas can grow large enough to eat small children.

So can Pythons.

I don't think they grow that much in captivity though. And they are not that aggressive.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't keep snakes as pets although I don't have a problem with them.

I did have Piranhas in aquarium once (not in Australia, it is illegal to do so here, with a reason). ;)

[Gallomph]

It is just so disheartening to see that some human beings can be so callous and have no compassion whatsoever for the well-being of animals. I still have nightmarish toughts about the cruelty that takes place in China pertaining to animals. It is beyond me how anyone can conduct themselves in such an atrocious manner towards a defenceless sentient being. I have said my piece on this subject many a times in the past and have had to listen to many excuses but as far as I am concerned....no excuses exist to justify such abominable behaviour in mankind. Some countries definitely stand out from the crowd when it comes to such detestable behaviour towards animals. Very cruel and sad world.....

Ah, like a moth to a flame...

How do you feel about sow stalls Moselle? I don't for a moment condone animal cruelty but I also don't kid myself that this country has anything to feel superior about.

Yes, PF....like a moth to a flame, huh...

How do I feel about sow stalls? one word....DISGUSTED, so much so that I do not, WILL NOT eat pork or any meat except chicken, free range chicken....not my own as they would have to live out their life if that were the case!

Australia has every reason to feel superior when compared to the atrociousness that takes place in certain parts of the world.

Actually, Australian pig farmers just voted to voluntarily phase out sow stalls. Just announced this week Unfortunately, there has been no interest from the media, no support from supermarkets (who continue to sell pig products imported from countries which keep their sows in stalls 100% of the time) and no support from government (who refuse to pass and enforce proper food labelling laws so that consumers con see where their food comes from).