Fukuoka Mayor Soichiro Takashima announced Nov. 4 that Fukuoka is progressing towards a day when no cats or dogs will be euthanized in the city. At an animal protection festival held in front of Fukuoka City Hall on Monday Mayor Takashima told assembled reporters, “We now enter the final stage in moving toward zero euthanasia. However, even if Fukuoka City said it would not put animals to sleep, it would be meaningless if that led to an increase in requests for animal euthanasia in surrounding municipalities.” It is unusual for a municipal government to openly declare a goal of zero euthanasia of stray and abandoned animals. The festival also celebrated elderly dogs and cats. The mayor’s award went to 21 year old dog Shiro (over 100 in human years!) Source: http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201311060028
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