Japanese officials launch inspection to curb pet sales

As per The Act on Welfare and Management of Animals, updated in June 2021, the sale of cats and dogs under 56 days of age or 8 weeks is prohibited. To ensure businesses haven’t been skirting the law through falsified birthdates, the Japanese Ministry of the Environment prompted municipal governments to inspect 17 businesses across 9 prefectures.

Investigations took place across Hokkaido, Miyagi, Saitama, Kanagawa, Tochigi, Shizuoka, Aichi, Osaka and Fukuoka, and inspectors retrieved 10 years of data on sold animals’ weight and birthdates. Over 100 breeders were also asked to provide ledgers showing rearing status and other records.

Reports of illegal sales of younger animals with falsified birthdates prompted the investigation. The Ministry is expected to prepare a complete draft with the findings by the end of the year and subsequently take action.

The majority of cats and dogs found in pet shop windows in Japan are sourced through auctions or purchased directly through breeders. 

147,000 dogs to be abandoned

Former breeding dogs found themselves looking for new homes in 2023 following the implementation of a regulation limiting the number of dogs breeders can maintain, which came into effect in June 2022. This regulation forms part of the amended Law on Welfare and Management of Animals and aims to eradicate unethical breeding practices in Japan that prioritize profit over animal welfare.

The Dog and Cat Welfare Management Guideline Committee, consisting of representatives from the pet supplies industry, the Japan Veterinary Medical Association and other stakeholders, predicts that approximately 147,000 breeding dogs will be relinquished by breeders due to the amended animal welfare legislation.

The Japan Pet Food Association estimates that pet ownership in Japan is declining amid soaring pet food prices. Based on the Japan Pet Food Association’s annual 2022 National Dog and Cat Breeding Survey, there were 426,000 new pet dogs and 432,000 cats in 2022. 

According to Statista, the market value of pet-related businesses in Japan will reach ¥1.83 trillion (€1.1B/$1.2B) by the end of 2024.