Peets for Treats

25/10/2024

TNR does work… 💜

Japan's famous cat paradise, Aoshima Island, is facing a bittersweet end to its feline chapter, with all its remaining cats expected to disappear within the next few years.

The island, once home to hundreds of cats and 655 human residents in 1960, now houses just 3 elderly residents and an aging cat population, all over seven years old.

At the heart of this story is the island's beloved "Cat Mama," a 73-year-old resident who has devotedly cared for the cats since 2013, even storing food year-round and cleaning their droppings from the island's roads daily.

Following a necessary spaying and neutering program in 2018 to control the overwhelming cat population, no new kittens have been born on the 0.49-square-kilometer island.

With Cat Mama's eventual departure due to age and the cats' natural lifespans drawing to a close, the island's ferry service may soon be reduced or cancelled entirely.

This marks the end of an era for one of Japan's most cherished cat islands, where tourists once flocked to witness the harmonious coexistence between humans and their feline friends.

24/09/2024

Bebe hasn’t checked in for more than 24 hours. He’s the wildest and most exploratory of the bunch. Pre-move he would sometimes go a day or two. I hope he’s just out exploring. I didn’t expect that he’d be ready to do it so soon though. I feel sick with worry. 😓

18/09/2024

Everyone checked in for dinner tonight! 🙌🏼 🥳 🎉

17/09/2024

💜

17/09/2024

Hobeaux’s pitiful whines for freedom were successful in convincing me to release a day early. Bebe is happy to have the rest of his friends available. My hope is that curiosity and exploration will keep the bullying at bay. 🤞

17/09/2024

Punkin, Blondi and Bebe all patrolling the yard. Not Dot was here just before dinner but did not come to eat.

Dot is mad she is still contained and Hobeaux is eager to join in the romp, wish they weren’t such bullies!

16/09/2024

I released Not Dot, Punkin, Bebe and Blondi from containment this morning at dawn. After a bit of exploration Blondi returned to his comfort and Punkin returned to safety overwhelmed. Not dot is cautiously creeping around, no doubt finding more safe spaces and escape routes and Bebe is boldly performing wide sweeps to get to know the new space. (Seen below exploring a shed that I hope will serve as a good winter shelter.)

Hobeaux and Dot are still in kitty containment since he bullies Punkin on occasion and she chases her Sister Not Dot. Maybe Wednesday for them if all goes well.

25/08/2024

Pumpkin, Dot and Not Dot relocated! 💜 It went fairly well; I only got bitten once. 😹

24/08/2024

Hobeaux an Bebe are settling in. Blondi is struggling in the heat and has been brought up and contained inside. Since no one claimed them Boss and Harlequin (formerly ‘white momma’) have also made the move and are decompressing in individual kennels. I had seriously planned to be further along; the 2nd kennel I had delivered had some manufacturing errors and while the company was very responsive replacements don’t arrive until tomorrow. 😮‍💨

22/08/2024

Trapped Bebe today! Way easier than I expected.
I grabbed Hobeaux so he wouldn’t be alone. Dot was the intended target but she got wary and decided to play feral.

I need to transfer the other kennel and get it secured, I’ll have to shuffle to get the right ones together but Hobeaux is usually pretty easy to handle. 🤞

20/08/2024

As soon as I get the camera online the first kennel is set! 🤗 the grand relocation will soon be underway! 🤞