The Voices to 'Save Lives' Continue to Grow: Animal Action Fund Submits Additional 36,838 Signatures to Environment Ministry to Remove Stray Cats and Dogs from Hunting Targets

Animal Action Fund, a public interest foundation dedicated to achieving zero euthanasia for dogs and cats (headquartered in Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture; Chairman: Kunihisa Sajo), submitted an additional 36,838 signatures to the Ministry of the Environment on July 16, 2026, calling for the removal of 'stray cats' (no-neko) and 'stray dogs' (no-inu) from the list of game animals under the Wildlife Protection and Management Law. This follows the first round of signatures submitted on January 26, 2024, together with a formal request titled 'Remove Stray Cats and Dogs from Game Animals to Prevent Killing Crimes Against Cats and Dogs.' With this additional submission, a total of 84,093 signatures have now been delivered.

The issue of stray cats and dogs being designated as game animals is deeply connected to the current debate over classifying cats—including both domestic and stray cats—as 'invasive species targeted for eradication.' How will the Ministry of the Environment respond to the growing public outcry demanding that animal lives not be taken based on ambiguous definitions and justifications?

※ Details of the request submitted in January 2024 can be found here:

Request: 'Remove Stray Cats and Dogs from Game Animals to Prevent Killing Crimes Against Cats and Dogs'

There are no objective criteria to clearly distinguish 'stray cats' and 'stray dogs' from 'community cats' and 'community dogs,' or from pet cats and dogs, based solely on appearance. Under these circumstances, it is extremely difficult for hunters to accurately determine whether an animal is a legally designated game animal or a protected companion animal under the Animal Welfare Act.

Ambiguous classifications could serve as a justification for malicious incidents such as the 2023 case in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, where a graduate student was found to have abused and killed community cats, claiming afterward, 'I thought it was a stray cat' or 'I thought it was a stray dog.'

To prevent abuse and killing of cats and dogs and to protect the lives of companion animals that have lived alongside humans, we strongly and continuously demand the immediate correction of legal flaws and the removal of stray dogs and cats from the list of game animals under the Wildlife Protection and Management Law.

To prevent the regression of Japan's animal welfare policies, we continue to ask for your support in signing our petition.

Petition site: Remove Stray Cats and Dogs from Game Animals to Prevent Killing Crimes Against Cats and Dogs

※ We are also continuing this petition campaign. Your support is appreciated.

Petition site: Request the Minister of the Environment not to designate domestic cats (including stray cats) as 'invasive species targeted for eradication'

Animal Action Fund

Animal Action Fund is a private, nonprofit animal welfare organization established in Yokohama in 1988. All operational funds come from private donations. The organization conducts free spay/neuter surgeries for ownerless cats through the 'Sakura-neko TNR' program, provides free sterilization for dogs and cats in cases of hoarding breakdowns, supports adoption matching, organizes photo contests, and carries out public awareness and petition campaigns.

※ Sakura-neko TNR: 'Sakura-neko' refers to cats whose ear tips are clipped in the shape of a cherry blossom petal as proof of sterilization. 'Sakura-neko TNR' is an initiative to prevent reproduction by sterilizing ownerless cats, allowing them to live out their natural lives as 'Sakura-neko,' thereby reducing complaints and euthanasia related to stray cats.

※ TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return): An acronym for Trap (capture cats), Neuter (perform sterilization), Return (release back to original location). This is the most effective and humane method worldwide for reducing stray cat populations without killing.

About Animal Action Fund's Earth Club:

https://www.doubutukikin.or.jp/activity/earthclub/

A division committed to re-examining society through the lens of 'connecting life and Earth,' conducting structural analysis and policy recommendations on environmental and animal issues.