Community cat

[11] In addition to providing food and water for cats, disposing of their waste, and preventing them from scavenging through trash, it is necessary to take measures against damage caused by birds, pests, and rodents due to inadequate disposal of leftover food as well as against cat allergies and zoonotic diseases such as toxoplasmosis, which can pose a danger to residents.

[18] Cats may intrude into private yards and cause damage to gardening and agricultural crops through defecation and other harmful behavior.

[20] The obligation for cat ownership is outlined in the “Standards for Keeping and Managing Household Animals,”[21] but unlike dogs, there are no provisions such as leashing requirements or a registration system based on the Rabies Prevention Law.

[26] There have been reported cases of individuals who are unable to care for the cat, pushing those responsibilities onto the local community and its residents.

[27] According to a precedent set by the Tokyo District Court, simply providing food may not be considered community cat activity if understanding from residents is not achieved or if there is a lack of management efforts.

[32] The Tokyo Taito Ward, selected for the Best Award at the “National Public Health Veterinarians Conference” in 2016, has implemented measures such as using posters to explain the reality of abandoned cats being preyed upon by crows.

[33][34] Instances of cruelty or abuse towards community cats, including cases where individuals set traps on their premises, may be considered crimes and addressed officially.

Specific cases include suspected deaths by poisoning and rescued cats with injured legs caused by such illegal devices as steel-jaw traps.