In this cycle, we’re going to have a look together on how cats and dogs are doing around the world. Where they are pampered and people forego them and where, to the contrary, the pets suffer and their situation is critical. Today, I will introduce you to islands, where more cats than humans live.
You will find several cat islands in Japan, about a dozen. They are called cat, since the cat population there has highly exceeded that of humans. One of such islands is Aoshima. Here live about 8x more cats than humans. It is a little island, only about a kilometre and a half long.
People started to take cats to the island 380 years ago, so that they would get rid of mice that plagued the fishermen boats. In 1945, about 900 people still lived here. However, today, you will find only 16 people here, mostly elderly, who haven’t succeeded in finding a job after World War II. But there are more than 140 cats that live here and the locals say, that the island is a paradise for them.
The cats are fed mostly by tourists, of which there is quite a few. Well, just admit it, who of you wouldn’t want to see an island full of cats :). The fluffies occupy mainly deserted houses or they show off in the fishermen village. And they are not picky at all. They survive mainly on rice balls, energetic bars or potatoes. But their life is void of any fear of natural predators. However, not so long ago, the inhabitants of this island had to ask for help. In winter, the tourism died down because of stormy sea and the cats started to starve. After an appeal, food started to flow from all of Japan and allegedly, the cats have never been happier.
You won’t find a single car or store on the island, not one restaurant or a snack-bar. A ferry comes here twice a day with the number of visitors limited to 34 and the cat lovers don’t complain. The cat population started breeding uncontrollably about 10 years ago, when the number of people living here decreased and there was no one to reduce the number of cats. Today, there are only about 10 neutered cats.
You can view Thomas Peter’s gallery here.
The second cat island is Tashijorima. Even here, the population decreased after the World War II from 1000 to about 100 inhabitants. Most of them make their living by fishing or in the tourist industry. Contrary to Aoshima, you will find several touristic trails here and also one or two bistros.
Even though in 2011 the island was hit by a tsunami, which caused great damage, the cat population has survived this catastrophe almost intact. To this island, cats were imported to get people rid of mice as well. In this case, the mice did not terrorise the fishermen’s boats, but the silkworm moth, a caterpillar kept for silk. Over time, there were fewer and fewer people on the island, while the un-neutered cat population was growing. Today, it is 6x greater than the human one.
Here, the people believe, that feeding the cats will bring them wealth and happiness. According to this tradition, a cat sanctuary was even built here, known as Neko-Jinja. It is located approximately in the middle of the island, between two villages. The cats used to go begging into pubs to the fishermen, who would stay there overnight. Over time, the fishermen started to like them and began to attribute prophetic abilities to them. Following their behaviour, they would determine, how the weather is going to be like or how many fishes there will be.
Would you also like to go and see one of the cat’s island as much as I would?
In the first part of the interview with the Slovak musher Katarina Vigodová, we talked about how to prepare for a skiing trip with your furry friend. Today we are going to hit the skiing trails with Katka. What commands should the dog know? Why are a...
Spring is round the corner together with extreme dog races. What can we look forward to this year? And what is this dog sport all about?
The shared history of humans and domesticated animals is full of interesting facts. Expand your horizons with the following forty interesting facts about pets, spanning over centuries.
Breeding supplies are currently becoming a fast growing sector and as with any other industry, even here we can trace the development trends of new products coming to the market. Let's take a look at the biggest trends in the world of our furry...
An interesting trend brought by the pet industry. Compared to other sectors, this one is growing at a dizzy rate. Why is that? Let's take a look at the newest trends in pet acquisition and adoption, and whether shelters and breeders really are as...
Obesity isn't a civilization problem concerning only humans but also pets. It is a condition where the body receives more energy than it expends. What is the main cause and how to deal with obesity in pets? Answers are provided in the following...
Are you wondering how to create the perfect meal plan for your guinea pig? What is crucial for larger rodents and what is better to avoid? Everything about guinea pig nutritional requirements can be found in the following interview with the breeder...
We've become accustomed to the sight of dogs in public places. Probably everyone has experienced a dog in the workplace, in a park, in a café, etc. Dog owners should therefore always bear in mind the handling and training of their pets. Let's go...
We recently wrote about planned musher races. The canicross events aren't being left behind and the fans of running with a dog have plenty to look forward to this year.
Winter is showing off in all its glory. And winter sports fans are setting off for the mountains. They're often accompanied by their four-legged friends. Especially more and more popular is becoming ski mountaineering. Furry companion's presence is...
For pet owners, smart toilets are a welcome replacement for the traditional litter box, which has to be cleaned every day. You can even control them via a mobile phone application and monitor the frequency of the toilet usage, especially when your cat...
Fresh meat, insect protein or sustainable pet food. New trends in dog nutrition. Adding fresh meat into dog food enhances the taste and smell of the product, but it's also easier to digest.
