TO BEGIN WITH
NPO Tier Heim KOKUA has decided to participate in this project to save even more lives and raise public awareness of Japan's current animal welfare issues. To fulfill these goals, we want to expand our shelter in Harajuku, where many people of different generations and international backgrounds gather.
NPO Tier Heim KOKUA is a loving shelter for dogs. Throughout our journey, we have taken responsibility for the lives we have saved and have actively addressed the issue of animal welfare through rescuing and hosting educational activities. We are working daily to help better animals' lives, including those living in kill shelters, abused and abandoned by heartless people, and those found in disaster areas and crime scenes.
At Kokua, we have two goals that branch into systematic and social justice. In terms of the Japanese animal welfare system, we want to abolish the culling of dogs and cats, prohibit animal sales and ban animal abuse. Regarding social animal welfare, we want to create a comfortable and welcoming society for both humans and pets.
Although the number of pet euthanizations has decreased in recent years, irresponsible owners still abandon many cats and dogs.
We are working 365 days a year to be the voice for the voiceless so that one day we can proudly present Japan as an animal-friendly country.
What We Want To Solve
In recent years, the number of new dog owners has been on the rise due to the pet boom caused by the coronavirus epidemic.
The increase in pet owners means an increase in the number of dogs being bred. What seems like an innocent and cute pet store is rooted in dark and abusive industries that handle "breeding animals," the parents of these puppies and kittens. At these unscrupulous breeding sites, breeding animals are locked up in tattered and cramped cages with their own waste
There are also cases where dogs are not neutered and spayed, resulting in the mass increase of dogs. In this situation, the household or owner almost always leaves the dogs malnourished and in dire condition.
With easier access to pets through pet shops, it is easier to abandon pets. Every day we receive calls from dog owners demanding us to take their dogs because for unjust and illogical reasons. If we or other organizations don’t rescue the dogs, these dog owners usually put their pets in the kill shelter as a last resort. And if no one rescues the dog within a week, they are euthanized at the facility. This is the reality of the pet business in Japan.
（参照:環境省自然環境局総務課動物愛護管理室）
Tier Heim KOKUA works to tackle the "abolishment of pet euthanization, prohibition of the sale of live cats and dogs, and prohibition of animal abuse." Although we take pride in being one of the few animal shelters in the center of Tokyo, of course, this location has consequences—space being one of the largest problems. To provide proper care for each of our shelter dogs, we have to control the number of dogs we shelter in order to make the most of the available space we currently have. This make it very difficult to rescue all the dogs at the site, especially when rescue requests ask to shelter ten dogs at once. Furthermore, with the different personalities and characteristics of each dog, it is essential to separate those that do not get along. Therefore, to rescue many dogs, we need a larger shelter than we have now.
WHAT WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH THIS PROJECT
Although dog euthanization has been on the decrease, the number dog abandonment has never shown great improvement. Although we try to provide shelter dogs with as much free space as possible, the reality is that we are always on the edge of our means, both physically and financially. In 2021, the Animal Protection Law will be revised and enforced, and numerical regulations on cage size, etc. will be established. In Germany, an animal-loving country, facilities (Tierheim) are designed to understand the nature of animals and provide them with a comfortable environment. At Tier Heim KOKUA, we do not keep shelter dogs in cages. Although we try our best to prevent fights between dogs that are incompatible with each other, sharing space with conflicting animals isn’t easy. With new and socially unaware puppies constantly nagging veteran shelter dogs, we fear that both dogs would build up stress. With more space at the shelter, it will be a lot easier to raise, train, and rehabilitate dogs in a spacious area. Also, in the event of a disaster, the shelter will be able to provide ample space for evacuation guidance.
Rescued dogs are often abused, sick, or injured by humans, thus medical support is essential. If a second space can be secured at the shelter, an environment suitable for post-operative rehabilitation can be prepared, and the dogs can spend time in a mentally calm environment. Also, senior dogs, which are prone to sudden changes in health, can recuperate slowly. We can also take measures against infectious diseases and can respond to sudden rescues.
Emotionally traumatized dogs lose trust in humans. They either result in violent behavior where they growl and bite, or they result in anxious behavior where they refuse to eat, walk, or even catch eye contact. However, to give them their second life as new dogs, we must mentally care for and allow them to trust humans once again. With more space at the shelter, we hope to set up training spaces for positive experiences and interactions with humans.
Many shelter dogs find it hard to settle down in typical pet hotels or trimming salons. Moreover, if the shelter dog is old, they are more likely to show aggressive behavior. These types of dogs are often refused by pet hotels. Therefore, the expansion of Tier Heim KOKUA's trimming and care space will enable us to continue to support dogs with aggression and help their owners foster a better relationship with their pets.
By setting up a shelter in Harajuku—a town full of individuality that is not bound by genre, nationality, or gender—we will be able to educate people of all ages. By answering the curiosities of those with no prior education on animal welfare, we hope to nurture animal activists and subsequently create a comfortable and justifiable society for humans and animals.
We want prospective foster parents to be able to see the dogs inside the shelter, where they can see their everyday lives. However, due to our inability to secure a suitable location, we only hold meetings with prospective foster parents outside the shelter. Outdoors, it is sometimes difficult for people to observe the dogs in their normal state due to nervousness or excitement. We believe that if we can hold the meet-and-greet in a calm and familiar place, we can minimize the anxiety and stress of the shelter dogs. In addition, by increasing the number of meets and greets and making new connections, we will be able to send more dogs into new homes and rescue more dogs from heartbreaking stories.
In order to reach our ultimate goal of abolishing the culling of pets, we need more supporters and advocates by our side. By expanding our facilities and improving the environment of our shelter, we will be able to improve the quality of care for the dogs and attract more people to support our activities.
Tier Heim KOKUA is purposely placed at the center of Tokyo, in Harajuku. By being under the natural spotlight of the city, we hope to become the model for animal care facilities and industries. We want educate people about animal welfare and shed light on the grim reality of Japan’s pet industry. In the future, we also hope that the improvement of animal welfare will put in law a system in which only those who are qualified for proper ownership are allowed to own animals.
参照：改正動物愛護管理法 数値規制の解説（環境省）
Volunteer’s Comment
HOW WE PLAN TO SPEND THE MONEY
initial lease contract fee 2,500,000 yen
Interior construction cost 1,500,000 yen
Equipment fee 505,000 yen
Crowdfunding fee (9% + tax not included)450,000 yen + 45,000 (tax) Total 495,000 yen
SCHEDULE
Early July Crowdfunding begins
Early August Lease contract signed
Early August Interior construction
Mid-August On-site inspection
Mid-August Shelter dogs enter the building
Early September TierHeim KOKUA ANNEX completion unveiling
Late September Return shipment
(About the campaign method)
This project will be implemented on an all-in basis. Even if the target amount is not reached, the project will be carried out and returns will be delivered.
What We Do
Tier Heim KOKUA is actively involved in rescuing and caring for shelter dogs from animal welfare centers, homes, and unethical breeders. We are also engaged in outreach activities such as protesting, teaching life lessons to students, and hosting educational activities to educate people in Japan about the harsh realities of animal cruelty.
RESCUE
Tier Heim KOKUA rescues a wide variety of dogs, including those that are sick, have biting problems, are old, or malnourished...we do not discriminate.
The dogs' lives’ are no different from puppies sold in pet stores, but many of them are easily thrown away and/or killed. Some owners impulsively buy a dog or cat from a pet store and then abandon them for selfish reasons such as 1. it is not what I expected, 2. it’s is difficult to tame, 3. It’s too noisy, 4. the puppy’s sick. Although It is heartless humans who threaten the small lives of innocent dogs and cats, it is also us humans who can save the lives of dogs and cats.
MEDICAL CARE
Dogs at Kokua have check-ups every so often done by a reliable veterinarian. Each dog receives appropriate treatment such as surgery, vaccinations, microchipping, care for skin diseases, and all other medical care in order to stay healthy. In addition to medical care, we also provide natural therapies to enhance the natural healing power of each animal according to its condition.
SKIN/FUR CARE
Many rescued dogs are extremely matted or have skin diseases due to abuse and neglect and poor sanitation. Their skin may be inflamed due to the feces and urine that have been on their fur for a long period of time. Here at Kokua, the animals are trimmed and cared for by volunteers who are certified trimmers, etc. There are instances where we have found over 1,000 fleas attached to a single dog, causing them to endanger their lives from the lack of blood in their body. Skin diseases require long-term care, but all of Tier Heim KOKUA's shelter dogs have been cared for and their severe skin diseases have been corrected.
NUTRITIOUS DIET
Every day we make food specifically catered for each dog, based on their weight, diet, nutrition, and condition. We also devise fun menus to please the shelter dogs, who look forward to their morning and evening meals here
REHABILITATION OF SHELTER DOGS
Tier Heim KOKUA rescues dogs from a variety of situations. Dogs that have never been walked outside since birth, dogs that have never been put on a collar or leash, dogs that have been abused by their owners, and dogs that have been rescued from abandoned homes. Thus, most of them have a fear of humans. We take the time to build a trusting relationship with each of these dogs by providing emotional care. Even the worst biting dogs can be turned back into well behaved dogs once they start believing in us. Even for those who were given up as unable to walk, we do our best to bring out their potential to walk once again.
REHABILITATION OF OLD/SICK DOGS
Some of our shelter dogs have undergone major surgeries or need concentrated care. However, no matter what their situation is, all the dogs rescued from Tier Heim KOKUA are cared for with love. There were instances in the past where the vets were so amazed by the level of recovery made by our shelter dogs.
ADOPTION PROCESS
We only allow the adoption from foster families who promise to keep their dog as a member of the family for the rest of their lives with love and responsibility. Some of our shelter dogs are deeply traumatized by humans and panic at the slightest noise. In addition, due to COVID-19 protocols, we can only allow one family to meet the dog per session.
During the meeting, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire to determine whether or not the dog meets the transfer requirements specified by our organization, and after determining the dog's characteristics and compatibility with the family, we will proceed to a trial period. During the trial period, we will be in contact with the family every day to share information about the dog and to provide 24-hour support for any concerns the family may have. We will keep in touch with the family regularly, not only during the trial period, but also after the actual transfer, both in Japan and overseas, to ensure that both the dog and the family are comfortable and happy.
EDUCATION
Education for children, life lessons, lectures
We give lectures on the importance of life, the importance of animals as family members, morality, and animal welfare to elementary, junior high, senior high school students, as well as to vocational students, and adults, etc. Depending on the age and need, we visit schools, companies, and other places upon request. In addition, students from all over Japan come to Tier Heim KOKUA's shelter to take classes on life. Many students from international schools are also active as volunteer members of the student club, learning about the importance of life and improving animal welfare issues in Japan.
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AND PROTESTS
We are taking action against the following:
the sale of animals by unethical breeders and pet stores
the killing of animals at animal welfare centers and public health centers nationwide
animal abuse
There is still much exploitation of animals in Japan that is not well known. We encourage people in Japan and abroad to raise awareness and take action to eliminate the neglect and belittlement of animals.
ABUSE PATROL
We have formed the "Wannyan Patrol" to patrol the area for the purpose of early detection and prevention of animal abuse.
Animal abuse occurs in our daily lives. Neglect and indoor violence are difficult to notice and difficult to report. In many cases, people do not know where to report animal abuse even after they have found the scene, so they leave the situation as it is. In order to prevent such cases, when we receive a report of abuse, we report it to the police or government authorities. Within our jurisdiction, we search for lost dogs, cooperate in the protection of dogs that have escaped, and patrol the metropolitan area. Tier Heim KOKUA's shelter dogs and registered patrol dogs and cats also wear bandanas around their necks and serve as patrols in their respective areas.
APPEALING TO THE GOVERNMENT
We are also involved in activities to appeal to the police, government, and politics to improve animal welfare issues in Japan. For example, we send in public comments for better revision of the Animal Protection and Control Law and the creation of ministerial ordinances to the Minister of the Environment through postcards.
FUNDRAISING
Although street fundraising is affected by circumstances and weather, our volunteer members are working their hardest to raise as much money for the shelter dogs at Tier Heim KOKUA.
ANIMAL CULLING CHANGE.ORG
In recent years, many voices have been raised against the killing of dogs and cats from all over Japan. Although the number of dogs and cats killed in Japan has been on a downward trend for several decades, the goal of "no-kill" set by the Ministry of the Environment has yet to be achieved.
We, NPO Tier Heim KOKUA, have launched a petition to the Japanese government, relevant ministries and agencies, politicians, and local governments that own killing machines to demand the abolition of the Japanese killing system, which uses CO2 to kill dogs and cats. This is in violation of international animal welfare standards, causing fear and pain to the animals. Currently, we have received the support of over 49,000 people.
https://chng.it/qgdnc6dbhk?fbclid=IwAR2_0AZrcH_vfut94hTiMDt8fycIk1x_vxuXH2V5u9Uふ_GVI__rGCDb3aZik
DONATING TO PLACES AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS
When the Kumamoto earthquake struck, we provided shelter and material support for dogs affected by the disaster. We delivered relief supplies to the affected areas over a period of several days, and when possible, we took in dogs and brought them back to shelters to place them with new families. We also provided supplies to ordinary households affected by the nationwide torrential rains that occurred in July 2021, as well as free food assistance by mail to ordinary households with pets infected with corona during the corona outbreak.
Support for animal welfare centers and animal welfare organizations
In total, we have provided thousands of treats and supplies for dogs housed at animal guidance centers and public health centers across Japan. Although we cannot save all the lives of the dogs, we are supporting them with supplies because we want them to have at least a little bit of good food to eat. We also provide supplies to small organizations like ours that are doing sound animal sheltering work.
SUPPORTING THE FOSTER FAMILY
We don’t just transfer our shelter dogs and leave it there. We give full support towards the adopted dog and the foster family for any concerns or problems. The foster family can always get in touch with us when they see the need.
CLEANING THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Tier Heim KOKUA also does cleaning activities in the city, focusing on the walking trails for the dogs. Our shelter for shelter dogs is kindly looked after by our neighbors. We believe that if both people and animals can be close to each other with good manners and cooperation, it will naturally attract kind people and create a peaceful town that is kind to both people and animals.
MEDIA/ TV
Tier Heim KOKUA's graduate dogs have appeared on the NHK BS program "Cat Raising Dog Raising," which broadcasts the story of the rescue and the transfer of the dogs. In addition, the representative of Tier Heim KOKUA has been asked to appear on a news program to inform many viewers about the problems and current situation of wild dogs. In addition, Tier Heim KOKUA has appeared on radio programs and in many other media outlets, appealing to as many people as possible to become aware of the dire situation surrounding shelter dogs and cats in Japan, and to help change people's minds.
【Received a letter of appreciation from Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike 】
