家庭動物医療の現状と今後～家族から社会の一員となった家庭動物への対応～
The Current Situation and Future of “Family Animal” Medical Care ~ A Response
to Help Pets Move from being Members of the Family to Members of Society ~社団法人日本獣医師会（JVMA）理事／株式会社 VR ENGINE 代表取締役・細井戸 大成

Taisei HOSOIDO, Veterinarian, Occupational Director, Japan Veterinary Medical Association(JVMA), President, VR ENGINE Inc.
Hello everybody, and thank you for participating inhorses - was an especially important role. Actually,

today’s workshop.

when I was a young man, I heard that the successive
presidents of the JVMA were usually individuals who

I was asked to do something at this workshop on behalf

had come to know each other while in the army.

the Japan Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA) by
Knots representative, Tominaga-san. She left us freeAround the time I was born, which was during theto make all the decisions but the days passed and I

period known as the era of rapid economic growth,

was unable to think of how to best plan this workshop.

veterinarians played a major role in the public being

Eventually, it was decided that I would ask someable to obtain animal protein due to their involvement

veterinarians I know who are active in various fields, toin support of the livestock industry.

talk about the current situation of animal medical carein their own field. I was also able to obtain the support

From the middle Showa era and into the Heisei era,of the pharmaceutical company Dainippon Sumitomo

which was about the time I became a veterinarian,

Pharma Co., Ltd. (DSP), which has been engaged in

I believe that veterinarians played a major role inanimal medical care for many years. As a result wedeveloping drugs and chemical products through being

were finally able to realize this workshop. I am far frominvolved in research while working at enterprises andbeing a perfect chairman, so I would like to ask you all

research institutes, and particularly pharmaceuticalfor your forbearance and cooperation.

companies and makers of other chemical products.
Also, there are many veterinarians playing a direct role

We are planning that each speaker will talk about his

in people’s lives and health, such as in the prevention

or her own field for about 30 or 40 minutes. After thatand management of zoonotic disease outbreaks and in

we will move on to discussions, which can include

public health work such as hygiene control. Because

members of the audience. So with this in mind, I’ll start

this field is, rather surprisingly, virtually unknown to

my talk as the first speaker.

the general public, the work range of the veterinarian
has had to be extended. So, for the past few years, we

I think that the impression people have of thehave also had to disseminate information and educate

veterinarian occupation varies depending on whichpeople through events such as the JVMA’s “World

generation of people you ask, as well as whether they

Veterinary Day” and “Animal Appreciation Day”, as held

live in the big cities or small towns and rural areas. I

in Tokyo on the first Saturday of October. Year by year,

think the roles of veterinarians have changed greatly

the number of participants has been increasing and I

since the time I first became one.

think this had led to more effective popularization andpublicity activities.

The occupation of the veterinarian in Japan is an old
one and practiced as far back as the Edo Period. But inRegarding their current roles, veterinarians aremodern veterinary science, before and during World

prominent in helping to assure food safety and security,

War II, the management of chargers - the military128

りぶ・らぶ・あにまるず 神戸アニマルケア国際会議 2012

and as part of their contribution to human health,in mind that within the institutions I’ve mentioned,

they work to implement measures against emerging“veterinary care” is commonly used.

and re-emerging infectious diseases that are difficult
to control in our increasingly complex society. Some

The term “family animal medical care” is not used veryof my colleagues are protecting human health withoften, or so I gather. Historically, taking the subject

great enthusiasm as official veterinarians. In addition,

animal’s size as the standard, cows and horses weresome of them are active in various fields of research,

considered large animals, pigs were medium-sizedwhile others play roles in education, not only inanimals, and dogs and cats were small animals. The

veterinary science in universities and other educational

expressions “small animal veterinary care” and “small

institutions, but also in animal nursing. There is aanimals” that are still in use today are remnants of thisgrowing social need for animal nursing, as there ishistory. However, when I ask my friends or children

also for providing animal medical care for pets—a

about what they think the term “small animals” refers

field known as “family animal medical care” in which

to, almost everyone says they imagine a hamster or a

I am personally and deeply involved—and in dealing

bird. In our own veterinary field, we have a fixed image

with wild animals, which can become complicated. Iof small animals as dogs, cats, etc., but for these animals

would like people to understand that the work of the

I try to use the term “family animal” when speaking toveterinarian is not limited to providing health care forpeople outside of our field. The term “companion” could

pets in the cities, or to treating industrial animals inequally well refer to one’s own wife or husband, but theprefectures with active livestock industries. Our work

JVMA has tried to define it as another person or animal

extends to many other things.

with which one lives together. Even so, this word might
be misunderstood because many people are much

Today’s workshop is being held under the theme of

too emotionally dependent on their pets. So under

the Current Situation and Future of “Family Animal”

circumstance in which relationships between people

Medical Care. Regarding the details, I would like to talkand animals are becoming deeper, I feel that the timeabout how on-site veterinarians see the handling of so-

has come for the term “family animal” to be established.

called “family animals” that have progressed from being

I’m sure all of you feel a little awkward about this term,

members of families to members of society, and thebut I hope you will understand my reason for using it.

veterinary care they are providing to these animals.
When I first became a veterinarian, I thought it would
After my talk, Dr. Hayama will talk about wild animal

be good if the number of people considering their

medical care for protecting the health of ecosystems.

pets as members of the family, or as “family animals”,

After that we will listen to a talk by Dr. Sugihara, aincreased. In those days, family animals were calledveterinarian working in the public hygiene field, about

pets and were treated like toys. There were many

government topics, and then Dr. Yokoo will tell us about

people who kept large animals in order to show off or

the role demanded of industrial animal medical careflaunt an air of authority or assumed status by keeping

veterinarians.

a rare animal as a pet. Quite often I came across people
with pets who did not bother to take care of them

The term “veterinary care” is familiar to all of us here,

properly.

and the people in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries (MAFF) also use the term widely. But

To help improve this situation the Japanese Animal

I wonder whether members of the general public or

Hospital Association (JAHA) - which is taking partchildren, when they hear the term, can grasp the rolesin this workshop - has been steadily developing its

and work involved. Because I think veterinarians have a

Companion Animal Partnership Program (CAPP). Underrole to play in all kinds of animal medical care, I will use

the program, which has been running for almost three

the term “animal medical care” today. But I am bearing

decades now, people and animals have been taking

2nd Live Love Animals International Conference on Animal Care in Kobe 2012129

part in activities together on a nationwide basis. The

evacuation shelters - diligently cared for the animals

effect has been that an idea has taken root in society

out of sympathy for their plight.

that keeping pets as a member of one’s family entails a
considerable responsibility.

Over a period of eight months, I quietly visited them,showing up about once a month. I was anxious to findAt that time, I still thought there were some obstacles

out how they were coping but I saw the people taking

to pets being accepted as members of society. However,good care of the dogs from 10 am until 4 pm. Thereas talked about in a previous workshop, we were hit by

wasn’t any running water available at the center yet

the Great East Japan Earthquake last year, and in 1995

there was somebody who brought in three 20-liter

there was the Kobe (Great Hanshin-Awaji) Earthquake, atanks of water every day. Surprisingly, the people caring

disaster that led to Knots being established. It was fromfor the dogs hadn’t even met the person making thethis time that the idea began to emerge that living withdeliveries. It was by seeing people cooperating in thisanimals involves more than just an immediate family

way to care for dogs that I realized how dogs and cats

and the animal itself, but also includes an association

have now been accepted as members of society. Thisbetween animal and society. With the Great East Japanevacuation center was an example of that acceptance.

Earthquake, animal-related training and education anda sense of the responsibility of living with animals has

Many veterinarians such as Dr. Abe of Ishinomaki inbegun to spread gradually throughout society.

Sendai Prefecture, who was introduced earlier today, or
Dr. Kawamata of Fukushima, are having a tough time

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake I had an

working in the disaster area. Apart from veterinarians,

experience which made a big impression on me. This

there are other people enthusiastically establishing ties

was at a dog evacuation center called Somakai inbetween people and animals or between people andSoma City which is located in the north of Fukushimapeople. When I think about that, I feel that pets are

Prefecture. Soma City sustained a huge amount ofgetting closer to being regarded as members of society.

damage from the tsunami brought by the earthquake.
Furthermore, pets provide us with comfort. This dog on
The person who established this dog evacuation center

the left is living with a veterinary technician who works

is a man in his late thirties who had been working inat our clinic. The mother and father of this technician

Soma’s construction industry. His house, workplace andboth had serious illnesses, and the mother passed

other possessions were all swept away by the tsunami.

away the other day. But when work is hard, this animal

His family members were now living separately inprovides the technician with energy.

evacuation centers established at temples and schools.
At various evacuation centers, he saw that some people

The dog on the right lives with Dr. Watanabe who waswith dogs were sleeping in their cars or that such

victimized by the disaster in Tomioka Town, as Dr.

people had a very distant attitude. So, together with a

Kawamata mentioned a little earlier. The earthquake

friend, he decided to establish a dog evacuation centereven though he had lost his own house and company.
Together they set up the center on a slight elevationby levelling the area and using leftover scrap wood.
At first, the local veterinarians practicing nearby werecautious about the venture. They wondered if it had
been set up merely in order to gather donations or forsome other unscrupulous reason. Despite this suspicion,and even though they were not dog experts, the people
running the center - who were themselves staying in

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had struck on March 11 and the police visited Dr.

activities in this kind of style. I think that such activities

Watanabe’s area on March 12. They ordered people

are necessary for those of us working in family animal

to evacuate with only the barest necessities, not to

medical care, and I believe that contact with animal

take any animals, and to put on dust respirators. Then,

activities in various forms is important in addition toafter being evacuated to a neighboring town, they were

providing rearing support for school-kept animals, andinformed that the nuclear accident had occurred.

activities linked to welfare center animals, etc.

Dr. Watanabe had thought they had been evacuatedWhen I see such activities, what makes me very happy

because another tsunami was on the way. As such heis that the people participating in these activities andthought they might be able to return home the next

the people working on the frontlines put a smile onday. Instead, they were told that they should evacuate

their faces. I think this is very important. When we taketo somewhere further away, and so moved to thegroup photos, even though we remind people to smile,outskirts of Koriyama City where they spent a week.

it is still difficult to capture a group photo in which

His daughter was upset that he had not let her bringeveryone is smiling. But I’m often shown photographs

her pet along and accused him of being some kind of

taken of people just after they’ve completed one ofmonster. He had to tell her that he had many animals

these activities, and in almost all of these photos,

in his charge through his work and could not take only

everyone has a broad smile on their face. I believe

her pet. At the time, one of them (the French bulldog

these photos show the utility value that pets have. You

shown here) was pregnant with two pups in its womb

have heard detailed stories about these activities (andand the delivery date was expected around March 15

I would like to talk about this in more detail should I

or 16.

ever have the opportunity). It is often said that the term“animal therapy” was coined in a precise sense in the

After one week, Dr. Watanabe went back to hissame way that a night game in Japanese baseball came

hospital (despite a major altercation with the police

to be called a “nighter”. But the very fact that “animal

who attempted to stop him). By that time, regrettably,

therapy” has been coined shows that the role of animalsof the 20 animals that he had been keeping at theas society members is gaining recognition.

hospital, five that had been in serious condition had
died. Dr. Watanabe removed the 15 surviving animals

Since I am the Vice-Chairman of the JAHA, I hope thatin his car by making three separate trips. He hadsuch activities are remembered under the rubric ofthought he would have to perform a caesarean section

animal-assisted activity, therapy and education in aon the pregnant French bulldog, as he usually did,correct way. But more than that, I would like people

but fortunately the mother had already given birth

to appreciate just how large an effect animal contact

naturally. Unfortunately Dr. Watanabe could only findhas on society. In western countries, research into theone of the pups and had to assume that a crow had“human-animal bond” and “animal-assisted activities”

taken the other pup away. The bulldog on the right is

has been going on for the past 30 to 40 years. In Japanthe surviving pup. Dr. Watanabe says that this dog now

also, such research has started up at many universities

playfully nips at his leg and greatly helps him cope by

and various kinds of data have been published. In theproviding emotional support. I think pets have such an

pamphlet handed out to you earlier there is information

existence for people.

on how living with pets prevents elderly people andchildren from developing certain diseases and how it,

During yesterday’s workshop, we had a detailedon occasion, reduces the amount of medication they

introduction to Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) andrequire. So, those of you who are interested please read

Animal Assisted Education (AAE). Also, Osaka City

this pamphlet when you have time. The pamphlet was

Veterinary Medical Association, the JAHA, and our

produced last year by the Japan Pet Food Association incolleagues in Ikuno-ku, Osaka, are carrying out visit

order to make people more aware of the utility value of

2nd Live Love Animals International Conference on Animal Care in Kobe 2012131

pets. This activity has received various kinds of support

on the issue. In response, they sent out questionnaires

from pet food-related companies as well as from DSP

to 3,000 random households. Half of these households

going back to the time of its predecessor company

had experienced keeping pets or were currently

Dainippon Seiyaku. I believe that such corporate social

keeping one or more pets, while the other half had nocontributions can be very helpful and that we should

experience of keeping pets. The result, as is of course

make good use of them.

understandable, was that the half who were keepingor had kept pets answered that pet food safety should

I think it was in 2003 that social recognition of

be ensured. But more significantly, the majority ofpets really changed. For a long time, the Pet Foodthe other half - those who had never kept pets - also

Association has conducted research into pet ownershipsaid that pet food safety should be ensured. Thisin Japan, including the number of pets kept and therepresented a significant shift in the current. The new

keeping environment, etc., by analyzing pet food sales

law was promoted because the public was requesting

and through survey interviews, etc. According to thethe establishment of a law governing the safety of pet

research, 2003 was the year when the number of pets

food. The law was finally passed by the Diet in June

kept inside first exceeded the number kept outside.

2009 at a time when both the LDP and the DPJ were

From that time, we have moved from the era of keeping

enveloped in large-scale chaos. It was passed because

animals outdoors to the era of living with them indoors.

Diet members beyond party political differences

Animals that live indoors with people have a much closer

realized that pets were playing a big role in society.

relationship with us, and with this the attractiveness ofanimals blends into everyday society.

Since the Kobe (Great Hanshin-Awaji) Earthquake,people have become conscious about what we should

Then, in 2009, the Law for Ensuring the Safety of Pet

do in order to enable people to evacuate accompanied

Food, the so-called “Pet Food Safety Law” came intoby their pets when a natural disaster occurs. We

force. This was an event that was very surprising evenshould therefore train our pets during normal times,

for me. Before that time, dog food and cat food had only

teach them and work on their manners so that otherbeen categorized as ‘miscellaneous’ products. Althoughpeople will easily accept them when they have tolivestock feedstuff was subject to very clear safety

interact with society around them. Also, following thestandards, dog and cat food wasn’t covered by any

Chuetsu Earthquake (and later following the Great East

standard at all. This was at a time when the Ministry

Japan Earthquake) people were able to realize animal-of the Environment (MOE) people were discussing

accompanied evacuation smoothly in those places thatabout doing various things. The Pet food Safety Law

had prepared in advance. In other places that had notcame into effect at about the time of the first Abe

prepared animal-accompanied evacuation was notcabinet, when Yasuhisa Shiozaki was the Chief Cabinet

realized. When there is a major disaster, people’s true

Secretary. The safety of food imported from China

nature often comes to the surface so the attitude of

was then a major issue and Mr. Shiozaki was asked,

paying attention to animals and protecting them is very

possibly by his wife, whether this meant that the safety

important. When I look at the present situation, I thinkof pet food was also in doubt. So he asked the Japanesethat pets are now sufficiently blending into society.

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
to investigate. MAFF and MOE held a long series ofUnder these circumstances, I suppose the demands andcommittee meetings to draw up the Pet Food Safety

requests in respect of animal medical care are on the

Law for the stated reason of promoting animal welfare.

increase. In order to respond to that, animal medical

But it was unreasonable from them to use government

care teams will need to be built up. I expect all of you

budget earmarked for pets to check food safety.

here must know this already, but in the animal medicalcare field, only veterinarians have official qualifications.

So I asked them to listen to what the public might say

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りぶ・らぶ・あにまるず 神戸アニマルケア国際会議 2012

People who work as veterinary technicians or in othercapacities have no official qualifications. But when

the awareness of pet owners. For those of us who are

we provide medical care to animals, the roles of theproviding family animal medical care, promoting petveterinarian and those of the veterinary technician areowner awareness is a major role.

different. So for a few years we have been discussing
making a unified certification for veterinary technicians

As to the question of whether or not an animal hospitalor creating an official qualification in the future. And

run by a single vet can monitor the health of an animal

today, various organizations that have been making

365 days a year, including night time, the answer iscertifications discretely are simultaneously carrying out

obviously that this is impossible. So just as you would

tests using a common examination for the first time.

expect, in the same manner as people, animals need

For those students who pass this exam, the JVMA, theaccess to a nighttime emergency system. So, since

Japanese Society of Veterinary Science (JSVS), and theabout a dozen years ago, regional veterinary medical

unified certification organization will issue certifications,associations and local veterinarians throughout theand they are planning to make this a base for an official

nation have been cooperating with each other toqualification. This is something we have to do in order

establish nighttime emergency systems. There has been

to build animal medical care teams.

about one such system operating in each governmentdesignated city. Thanks to these systems, sick or injured

It is a matter of course that animal hospitals accept

pets can receive emergency treatment even at night,

animals and attempt to treat their diseases. But it isand then go on to receive treatment from their primary

important to prevent disease and discover a chronic

veterinarian from the next day.

disease at an early stage through periodic health checks
and taking steps to control emerging problems. Human

Moreover, some (though not all) pet owners wish their

medical care involves early detection and periodic

pets to receive advanced medical treatment if they

health checks in which physicians and their patientsare diagnosed with illnesses such as brain tumors or

discuss the latter’s health situation. But animals ofheart disease. For such pet owners, a system thatcourse cannot express their own will verbally. So

links three parties, namely pet owners, home doctors,

when a pet reaches an advanced age, periodic healthand secondary medical care facilities that can provide

checks are necessary, and if a disease is detected, it

advanced medical treatment is gradually being built. So

is important for the veterinarian to provide the bestin our field, we are trying to respond to the pet ownertreatment for the pet while acting in consultation withrequests to offer various treatment options.

the owner.
By using CT or MRI imaging we can see the location
At the same time, I want to repeat to pet owners theof any pathological lesions and determine what they

importance of training their pets, of fitting in withare. This allows us to make operational plans taking aordinary life, and of respecting their own manner. This

proper approach. Some people travel from quite far tois important enough that it can make the difference

bring us their pets because they want to know for sure

between saving or not saving a pet’s life. When I

if the animal has a brain tumor or not. We provide a

became a veterinarian, households keeping cats orservice that locates such brain tumors using MRI anddogs were generally considered to be a nuisance andother scanning techniques and perform operations toa cause of trouble in their neighborhood. But after theremove them.

Kobe (Great Hanshin-Awaji) Earthquake, animal lovers
and veterinarian organizations got together to tackle

Dr. Amano, who has performed surgery on the

public education. This led to such a huge improvement

Emperor, said in a recent interview that, whenin pet owner awareness that, today, households

conducting medical treatment and surgery, it is notkeeping pets are regarded as a source of comfort forenough only to perform an operation and complete

their neighborhoods. I think this is thanks largely to

it without any complication. The ultimate goal in this

2nd Live Love Animals International Conference on Animal Care in Kobe 2012133

case is to make it possible for the patient to return tohospital in Osaka’s Tsurumi Ward about 15 years ago,

his official duties and at his previous level of fitness.

this dog was brought to us almost at death’s door due

Perhaps unintentionally, we veterinarians tend toto an internal blockage. The owner insisted that thelose our enthusiasm for nursing or care once thedog had not been neglected but it clearly had been.

operation has been completed successfully, although

Somehow we managed to snatch this one from theof course many of us do of course provide enthusiastic

jaws of death but several months later he was backaftercare too. But on such occasions, it is the veterinary

with us suffering from the same condition. Whentechnicians who take diligent and loving care of theirthat happened a young vet at the hospital became

patients’ prognosis with round-the-clock observation

furious about the living conditions that this dog wason a rotating shift. If the patient condition changes they

being forced to endure. It was near death when it wasreport it to the veterinarians. They are working in abrought to us and aggressive. Nevertheless our hospital

tough occupation but they feel a great deal of joy when

took it in and our vets and the veterinary technicians

they see a pet they have been caring for becoming

nursed it enthusiastically. Eventually it recovered andbetter again - as we can see here. It is very satisfying tobecame a very friendly dog. At first this dog would bitesee an animal, previously so ill it could not stand on its

at me when I walked past but now it is enjoying a reallylegs, a few days later get up and recover. On the otherhappy life.

hand, we have to come to terms with knowing that a
pet with a brain tumor, even after surgery and some

The photo on the right shows the evacuation shelter

recovery, may not survive the next time it falls ill. Thisin Azuma Park in Fukushima City. On one side of theis very hard for us working at an animal hospital tobike shed, the Pets Kojima group funded and set up a

accept. Owner reactions also differ in such cases. Someclean space where dogs could spend time. They even

don’t want us to carry out any treatment. Others wantinstalled air conditioning but this was met with a

us to carry out surgery. As such, we have to be ready tomixed reception. Some people living at the evacuation

respond to various requests from owners.

center said that, since they themselves didn’t have air
conditioning in the heat, why should the dogs have

Last year, I visited Tohoku for almost a year in all. While

it? They wanted to know what was going on? So we

I was in Tohoku, I met many people who were having

explained to them that the animals were kept in cages

great difficulties. Now I am back in Osaka where I

and that when the dogs suffered from the heat they

provide advanced veterinary care, and while I am doing

could not freely leave in search of a cooler place tothis I sometimes feel a strong internal conflict. But

sleep. With this explanation people could understand.

now I realize that around the world all sorts of things
happen in all sorts of places. When I first returned toThis is a photo that I always use when I talk to people. I

Osaka, I was still uptight and would habitually turnthink of people as intruders who break into the natural

off lights while telling others that we have to conserve

world. This is a picture of my acquaintance’s son whenelectricity. The people around me must have thought I

he was a child. In the photo on the left you can see

was crazy. But now that I have been back in Kansai for

how this is the dog’s favorite place. When the childa while I have gradually relaxed. Not forgetting that theunwittingly intrudes into the space the dog appears topeople of Kobe experienced a huge earthquake in 1995

be growling and at fault. But it is, of course, the boy

it may be that things are still a bit different here so I

who has imposed himself on the dog’s space so it iswill try not to forget about saving electricity as much as

he who is the intruder. But now that they have beenpossible.

playing together for several hours or several days,
they have met halfway. The boy is sucking on the dog’134

In the same way as people, animals also follow all sorts

s favorite blue pacifier and offering the dog his own

of destinies. Take this animal, seen in the center ofyellow pacifier in exchange. This is teaching us a very

the picture on the left. When I was running an animal

important thing about living with animals and nature

りぶ・らぶ・あにまるず 神戸アニマルケア国際会議 2012

which we shouldn’t forget. So I always use this photo.
Ever since the time of the Kobe (Great Hanshin-Awaji)
Earthquake, we have made a continuous effort tospread ideas such as “family animals” or “pets” being
members of society. As a result, we obtained a tacit
understanding that food for animals could be openly
carried into a disaster site after 72 hours have passed
following a disaster. This 72- hour delay means thathuman life takes priority. However, a regrettablesituation arose in the wake of the Great East Japan
Earthquake. The earthquake struck on March 11, 2011and by March 14, a rescue HQ had been established.
The Japan Pet Food Association and other concerned
people gathered medical supplies and food and wereable to secure a place for them. However, because ofproblems in the corridors of power, a vital document
presented by MOE originating in the Cabinet Office was
not executed and, as a result, we were unable to deliver
pet food and other supplies for the first week.
Nowadays, family animals are recognized as membersof society and, recently, another topic - environmental
taxation - has become a talking point. In my opinion,
because pets defecate, use parks and interact withthe other areas of public life, they too should pay
residential taxes in the place where they reside. If
possible, each pet should have a residence certificate on
which its name appears, and a sum of money should be
paid. A few thousand yen should be enough, although
I’m not a tax specialist. But it is time for us to consider
implementing such a tax. I’m spreading my opinion
among my acquaintances little by little and would liketo emphasize that certain rights can be claimed onbehalf of animals where they fulfil certain obligations.
I have talked on a little too long, but thank you verymuch for the opportunity to address you.
With that, I would like to hand over to our next speaker,
Dr. Hayama, who is going to talk about the subject ofanimal medical care in order to protect the health ofthe ecosystem.

2nd Live Love Animals International Conference on Animal Care in Kobe 2012135