兵庫県の譲渡事業と飼い主の会の活動
An Adoption Program and the Activities of an Owners Society in Hyogo Prefecture
三谷雅夫 兵庫県動物愛護センター 三木支所 課長
Masao MITANI Manager, Hyogo Animal Wellbeing Center, Miki Branch[Slide 1] My name is Mitani and I am

[Slide 6] This slide shows an illustration of the Center. It

from the Miki Branch of the Hyogo

is located on the bank of the Mukogawa River. Now, I

Animal Wellbeing Center.

may digress a little bit from my main topic, but let metalk about some related legislation that is the basis of[Slide 2] I would like to talk ﬁrst about

our work.

our dog adoption activities and thenabout how we coordinate with the
adopters.

[Slide 7] First of all, the Rabies Prevention Law wasenacted in 1950. Veterinarians and technical staff
members were allocated based on this law and kennels[Slide 3] In Hyogo Prefecture in 1993, an ordinance waswere set up in public health centers. Then in 1973 theestablished concerning the adoption and management

Animal Protection and Control Law was enacted.

of animals for the purpose of building a society in which

Initially there were many theoretical descriptions, butpeople and animals can coexist in harmony. [Slide 4] As

two revisions were made regarding animal-handlinga key facility, in April 1998 we opened our Animalbusinesses, specifying penalties for abandonment of

Wellbeing Center. After that, in August 2005, theand/or cruelty to animals. A substantial volume of extra

Tatsuno Branch was opened, followed by the Miki andcontent was added and the name was also changed.

Awaji Branches.

The law was enacted and implemented by various local
authorities within departments already implementing[Slide 5] This is a map of Hyogo Prefecture. It may be

the Rabies Prevention Law. In 1960, there had been an

too detailed. Regarding the administration structure in

ordinance concerning family dogs. Later, in 1979, there

Hyogo Prefecture, we have Kobe City, Himeji City,

was another one to cover dangerous animals such as

Amagasaki City and Nishinomiya City. These city areas

tigers. But after that, very few changes were made toare shown in gray. They are the heartland cities andanimal legislation until around 1993 when anotherthey carry out their own work with regard to breedingprotection and control-related ordinance was enacted

and keeping animals. With the exception of these fourin addition to those made previously. In 1993, as I havecities, Hyogo Prefectural Government is responsible formentioned, the ordinance pertaining to the protection

the rest of the prefecture. The headquarters of theand control of animals was enacted.

Center is shown within the green area. It used to be
responsible for only the area in green but, since April of

These ordinances were all implemented by thethis year, the blue and purple areas of Sanda, Sasayama,authorities responsible for implementing Rabies

and Tamba cities were added and placed under its

Prevention Law. I want to say that, through this

responsibility. The red area is managed by the Mikilegislation, the health and safety of domestic animals

Branch. The yellow area is covered by the Tatsuno

was ensured and that promotional activities were

Branch. The pink area is under the responsibility of thecarried out in the interest of proper breeding and care.

Awaji Branch. Up in the north of the prefecture is theThis makes up a major portion of the work of theTajima area. At the present time, responsibility is underadministrative agencies.

the Toyooka Health Center system. They are planning tohave the same sort of facilities as the other branches.

[Slide 8] I have shown you an illustration of the Center.
You may have gained the impression that our mainWorkshop Ⅳ Shelter Animal Care ̶ For Better Adoptions

25

work consists of adoption, awareness-building or

Relationships with these animals are studied.

education. However our work, as based on the legal
obligations that apply to our activities also includes

For adoptions, we generally accept adoption applicants

capturing stray dogs as well as accepting unwanted

from when the puppies are around ten weeks old.

dogs and cats. We also destroy animals and cremate

Those people who want to adopt puppies are allowed

them if necessary, and we regulate the handling ofto have contact with the dogs. When an application is

specific animals. These are the main aspects of our

accepted the staff members perform an interview

work. As I mentioned earlier, in Hyogo Prefecture,

together with checks that assess the living environment,

excluding the cities of Kobe, Himeji, Amagasaki andthe constitution of the adopting family, and the reason

Nishinomiya, in 2008 we destroyed a total of 6,841 dogs

why they want to adopt a dog. After the applicationand cats.

process is completed, a number of staff members will
determine whether the adoption is suitable or not.

[Slide 9] Now, going back to my original topic, theThen, at around twelve weeks of age, the puppies will

purpose of encouraging dog adoptions in Hyogo

be handed over to their new owners. We hold aPrefecture is to deepen peopleʼs understanding about

meeting lasting for about two hours. We explain why it

the issue of animal control among both dog owners

is necessary for the dogs to be spayed or neutered andand non-owners alike. We believe this will lead to awhy it is important to comply with the relevant laws.

reduction in the number of dogs that have to be

Methods for controlling and keeping dogs are also

destroyed. Accordingly, we place an emphasis on

discussed. Two weeks after the adoption, several staff

coordination and cooperation with those people who

members visit the house to observe the keeping

adopt dogs. Of course, it is necessary for the dogs tosituation and the bonding between the dog and theenjoy life with their new families and we need tofamily members. Where required, they give the family

conduct follow up activities after adoption takes place.

additional advice. Then, one year later, our team pays

We also need to have good cooperation between theanother visit to the family. Furthermore we provide

adopters and the Animal Wellbeing Center so that we

discipline classes one month after the adoptions forcan disseminate knowledge about best practices forwhich the owners bring their dog to the Center. We

keeping dogs.

train the dogs for basic discipline.

[Slide 10] I would like to show you the numbers later on,[Slide 11] The adoption procedure for adult dogs is

but we handle many cases of puppy adoptions, and thisbasically the same as for the puppies. When selectingis the flow of such adoptions. For deciding thethe candidate dogs we ascertain their disposition andcandidate animals, of the puppies obtained by thealso check for any underlying diseases. But matching

shelter we choose those that are in good health anddogs with owners well is especially important in themake sure that they have a good disposition suited tocase of adult dogs. So, before coming to a ﬁnal decision,

becoming a family dog. We also check to ensure that

we allow a trial period of one week (or longer if

any parasites have been eliminated and that therequired). Then, after that, we determine whether thenecessary vaccinations have been performed.

adoption is suitable or not.

Regarding discipline, the puppies are given aroundeight weeks of basic obedience training, such as eye

Basically, we carry out spaying and neutering of puppies

contact, body control, and learning to sit or lie down on

at the Center. This is explained to adopting owners incommand. We also have the facilities for physicaladvance and performed six months after birth. But it

contact work. We carry out such work for eight weeks or

has to be done under the responsibility of the owners.

so in the ʻcontact roomʼ and enhance the dogsʼ

26socialization with people. In this Animal Wellbeing[Slide 12] Moving on to our adoption history, while

Center, there are lots of dogs, ferrets and cats.

there were many areas where the branches were late

ワークショップⅣ

シェルター動物のケア・より良い譲渡に向けてopening, in 2008 a total of 878 adult dogs and 639[Slide 18] The purpose and activities of the Only Wan

puppies were adopted. In the case of puppies, you may

Club are shown here. Many doctors participate, and thelike to know how they live at the Center, so I will showgroup and the Center create a dialogue with one

you video images of the puppies when they come here.

another. The keywords defining this relationship areʻcooperation with the Animal Wellbeing Centerʼ,[Slide 13] The puppies are placed in quarantine and aʻfriendly communicationʼ, and ʻtransmission of regional

member of staff feeds them by hand. This room does

informationʼ. These are the groupʼs principal activities.

not receive sunlight so we take the puppies outside forsun exposure.

[Slide 19] Regarding membership fees, there is anadmission fee of 1,000 yen and yearly fees of 1,200 yen.

[Slide 14] This is a ʻmodelʼ cat at four weeks and five(Thatʼs what I understand). The activities of the Only

weeks. The cats and dogs at the center do have contact

Wan Club include holding reunions, agility and lecture

and the puppies can see the cat-keeping space, which

meetings, training classes, and the publication of ais outdoors. Of course, there are some infectious disease

journal. I have brought along some photographs, so letʼ

issues but after finishing the first vaccinations wes look at them now.

actively bring the animals outdoors. However, because
the Center headquarters is close to Tamba Airport,[Slide 20] This one shows a reunion of the adopted

which generates a lot of noise, we do need to allow

dogs. At our facility, the lawn area is narrow and sothem to get used to the noise.

limited in extent. Because there were many participants
we divided the activities into two. This is the ﬁrst one in[Slide 15] This is the basic discipline training which

which 50 households (which means 50 dogs, as well as

starts from the eighth week, consisting of sitting down

approximately 120 family members) participated. The

and lying down. Then, there is positive feedback, body

activities shown in the photos include a bread-eating

control with the forelegs and rear legs, and checking

competition, spoon relay, and musical chairs.

the ears and mouth. So, there is this kind of skinship.
[Slide 21] It was raining on this particular day so we held
[Slide 16] These dogs are from the same litter and they

this meeting indoors. It meant that the dogs wereare very friendly. People can touch them freely. Of

crowded together but they didnʼt fight. So I think acourse, there are some shy individuals so another circle

certain degree of socialization was achieved. At thesespace is allocated ‒ this one. Also, up until the time of

events, we organize sports-like activities and the dogs

adoption, we walk the puppies on a leash. This is just tocompete to get high scores. They are awarded points

get them used to the leash.

on the basis of their team performance. On arrival at thereception desk, if the dog has a dog tag, or if their

Moving on, the main topic of my presentation today isowners present a slip showing that the dog has received

coordination and cooperation with the adopters. Oura rabies prevention injection, they get extra points.

Center and community wish to serve as role models forkeeping dogs and cats which, at the same time, I think[Slide 22] After ten years, we had these beautiful cherry

is one of the more difficult issues. One-way

blossoms. During this season we have held ʻagility andcommunication limits this transmission of information.

dog café eventsʼ. These dogs are from the same litter,

The people adopting our animals also feel the sameand they are undergoing agility training. Of course dogs

way and thought they should form a group. We agreed

have to be kept on a lead so they practice walking on awith them so in September 2004 an ʻadopting owners

long lead. We provide awareness and information forgroupʼ was formed which has the nickname the ʻOnlythat also.

Wan Clubʼ.
[Slide 23] This is a class situation which is open not only

Workshop Ⅳ Shelter Animal Care ̶ For Better Adoptions27

to Club members but also to the general public. It had

being able to do a different kind of work. Fun is an

been ten years since the ﬁrst dogs were initially adopted

important focus. From collecting up small fees they canso they were now in the autumn stage of life. So wecreate a pool of funds by which they can makeinvited the photographer Ms. Kodama to talk about thepromotional goods. They think about the contents

nursing of old dogs. We also invited Professor Iwasaki

themselves (rather than being told what to do by thefrom a university veterinarian department. He explainedCenter) and make products such as tags

about grooming and nail cutting based on veterinarianexpertise.

[Slide 31] This photograph shows how careful we areabout where our dogs can defecate or urinate. We[Slide 24] This one shows Asahiyama Zoo, and Mr.

always retrieve their droppings and take them home.

Bando who was the Director of the Zoo at that time was

The bag can also carry a 2 liter plastic bottle. If a dog

invited to speak. [Slide 25] In this one, the speaker Mr.

urinates in the wrong spot, we pour water from the

Dohjo Yohzo, the famous radio personality in Kansai,bottle to clean the area.

who lives in Itami City, talked about judging the dogsʼ
personalities.

[Slide 32] This photo shows the Tatsuno Branch. [Slide33] This one is the Miki Branch where I work. Last year

[Slide 26] These photos are from a discipline class. The

we had a reunion, as the photo also shows. [Slide 34]

adopter called together some walking friends andThis one is a reunion at the Awaji Branch. The systems

about 10 people and dogs gathered. We provided aat these branches are not yet fully organized and they

discipline class.

do not have owner groups up and running. However,while they may only be at a preparatory stage the[Slide 27] Preparation for events is not easy but theseadopters from each branch are joining in with school

photos show a small-scale get together. The owners

visit activities, contact work and childrenʼs seminars.

and dogs get together every month on the ﬁrst Monday

They are very cooperative.

of each month for small reunions. (This one was during
the summer vacation so plenty of children came along).

[Slide 35] Let me now talk a little about cat adoptions.

We donʼt push anybody to attend the meets but, up

There are cat-specific viral diseases so we have to ask

until the adopted dogs are one year old, we dohow can we evaluate each catʼs health status correctly,

recommend that they attend to help their socialization.

or their temperaments? How can we ensure that owners

So, while the meet-up is on a Monday and attendance isare fully taking care of their cat indoors? These are somenot compulsory, we do strongly encourage the adoptersof the issues we have to consider - how to evaluate,of dogs younger than one year old to attend.

how to report, etc.

[Slide 28] Here is an example of a newsletter designed
in a handwritten style. This style is intentional.

[Slide 36] We were a little late starting our program but
we carried out our ﬁrst adoptions, starting in 2007. Cat[Slide 29] This is a photograph of the Miki Branchadoptions take place on a trial and error basis, and we

opening ceremony. This is me in the yellow jacket withhave lists of people wanting to adopt cats. By 2008, we

members of staﬀ as well as some of the adopted dogs

had successfully arranged the adoption of six adult cats

and their owners. We invited some local children, andand nine kittens.

held a lecture on discipline. Here, I think that they arelistening to cardiac sounds.

[Slide 37] Lastly, let me talk about the future challenges
that loom ahead. A major challenge is the selection and28[Slide 30] This is a committee meeting, which might

fostering of candidate animals as I mentioned before. At

include husbands, wives and children attending. They

the present time, we have lots of puppies, mostly typicalhave come together for this meeting, and they enjoy

Japanese type dogs. The mongrel rate is very high, andワークショップⅣ

シェルター動物のケア・より良い譲渡に向けてmost of them are between four to five weeks old. The

core of our operations. But there are many adopted

Center does have limitations and the puppies have todogs and cats out there, especially in the Hanshin area

spend a lot of time there. So they do have to like people

where there are a large number of owners in a limited

and do have to be able to get on with other dogs andarea. These adopters should get together, talk andcats. They also have to be resilient enough to cope withexchange information without going through thethe changed environment. We have to help these dogs

Center or Only Wan committee. That is the way that weand cats to become good family animals so they can bebelieve things should work, and positive information

adopted. We need to accumulate know-how in this areatransmission is an important way to achieve this.

more and more.

Consider newsletters compiled by local groups. If you
keep a puppy, then naturally, you should be going toWith regard to dog adoption, I have talked aboutclasses to learn things. We believe building that kind ofdetermining their disposition and coping differently

framework is necessary, and we want to do it.

depending on their breed, and about matching dogs
with owners. We need to improve the quality of all[Slide 38] So, today I have talked mainly about ourthese things. We also have to ask questions about theCenterʼs dog adoption activities including the

adopters, for example, how to determine thecoordination and cooperation of the owners. Last but

appropriate adopter age, family situation, and dog-

not least, I would like to express my thanks to Mars

keeping environment. Will the dog be kept indoors or

Japan Limited, Knots Japan, the Japan Animal Wellbeing

outdoors? How much time is an owner likely to beCenter, and all the people who are involved. I would likeabsent during the daytime? Then there are sterilization-

to express my hearty thanks for giving me thisrelated matters, such as the adopter accepting the need

opportunity to talk to you.

to sterilize. What is the ownerʼs understanding of thedogʼs personality? All these things are rather ambiguous

Thank you very much.

but we have to ask them, as well as many other things,
in order to evaluate and decide whether to accept
speciﬁc adopters or not?
We are proceeding on a trial and error basis, but webelieve it is necessary to enhance or improve the qualityof our activities. There was a talk on standard operatingprocedures earlier so, if we can incorporate suchrequirements into our operating procedures andguidelines, we should compile a manual that helps all
staff members to cope with specific situations
uniformly. And in order to cope with situations that amanual cannot cover, which may depend on the animal
involved, staﬀ experience needs to be improved.
Adopters, centers and corporations are all important as
I previously mentioned. We ask them to spread our
information as widely as possible within local
communities which is an easy thing to say but actuallydiﬃcult to implement. Right now, there are the people
at the Animal Wellbeing Center and the Director of the
Only Wan Club, and they are becoming the hub andWorkshop Ⅳ Shelter Animal Care ̶ For Better Adoptions

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