￥3.5m "Pet's Budget" for Abandoned Cats & Dogs

Came across this article in Lianhe Zaobao on 27 Jan 08:

My shot at the translation:

In the new fiscal year, the Japan government would be forking out ￥3.5million (S$4,670,000) as a "Pets' Budget" to cover hospitalisation and upkeeping fees of abandoned pets. Lonely Japanese who keep pets for companionship has become a very common phenomenon. While keeping pets continue to grow in popularity, there have been numerous instances of animals abandonment.

In 2006, more than 300,000 abandoned cats and dogs ended up being killed. Many of these had owners who are elderly in age. The regulation at the government shelters for stray dogs and stray cats is that these animals will be put down if no claim is being made by their owners or fosters within three days. As the number of abandoned pets continue to escalate, the cost of feeding them during their stay has gradually become a burden.

The local hygiene and environment departments have recently passed a "No Killing" order. The animals' lives would be spared and the departments would try all means to rehome them instead. On 26 Jan 08, the Japan government announced that it would fork out a "Pets' Budget" of ￥3.5million in the new fiscal year, ie ￥2,300 per abandoned cat or dog. In addition, the government would pay an allowance (vaccination and feed) to locals who are willing to adopt the animals.

This new "Pets' Budget" is considered a major breakthrough in Japan parliament. The budget's successful passing is largely owed to an increasing number of dogs' lovers among the Cabinet. With the growing voice projected by these ministers, the government have had to accord "dogs/cats rights". The new measure targets to reduce the number of abandoned cats and dogs by 50% over the next 10 years.