増える保護ビジネス 秋山 晴奈

昨年アークでは、犬72匹、猫62匹、小動物29匹の計163匹が新たな家族の元へ迎えられました。
これも一重に皆様からの変わらぬお力添えに支えられておりますことを深く感謝申し上げます。また多くの保護団体がある中で、弊団体に保護や引取りの相談をいただくことにもありがたく思います。

ここ10年ほどで「保護犬」「保護猫」を扱うテレビ番組が増え、認知度は一気に上がりましたが、広がりとともに、昨今では「保護ビジネス」なるものも散見されます。ブリーダーで不要になった犬や猫の受け皿となり保護犬、保護猫と称し里親探しをする団体、活動家のことです。

「他の保護団体へ行ったら譲渡料があまりに高額で断念した」「引き取り相談をしたら動物の年齢で断られた」「他の団体から動物を引き取ったが、既往歴や医療履歴が不透明だった」などの声を聞くことも増え、果たして全国にある保護団体のうち、どれくらいの団体が動物の利益を追求した活動を行っているのか甚だ疑問に思います。

「保護犬」「保護猫」と聞いてどのようなイメージを持ちますか？かわいそうな、劣悪な境遇から救い出された子、保健所の殺処分を免れた子などのイメージはありませんか？これを利用したのが保護ビジネスであり、その本質はアークとは全く異なります。そのような団体、活動家はSNSの影響力を熟知していて、かわいい子犬や子猫の写真を並べてインプレッションを稼いでいます。

どのような方法であっても飼い主のいない動物に飼い主が見つかるのだから良い、ではありません。溢れかえる保護動物を増やさないために不妊手術を始めとした適切な医療を施しているのか、個体の性格や特性を把握をしているのか、保護している間の飼育環境は5つの自由に則っているのか、飼い主となる人と動物のマッチングは適切か等、動物の利益をベースに考えれば自ずとやるべきことは増えていきます。
SNSでは、検索すればいくらでも里親募集の犬猫を見つけることができます。アークでも、現実を知って欲しい、ご縁に結びつけたいとの思いでSNSを活用しています。220万回再生された里親募集動物の動画には、里親になるために必要な事前調査書がいくつも届くこともあり、その影響力を肌で感じています。しかし中には、面接に進むことなく辞退される方もいらっしゃいます。「家族で改めて話し合ったが現実的に難しい」など立ち止まって再考されるのです。

里親を希望する方も、引き取り先を探している方も溢れかえるネットの海に溺れることなく、動物を主体に運営している団体を探してください。里親会やシェルターに出向き、動物の状態や表情、生活スペースをよくご覧になってください。どのような経緯でいつ入所したのか、個体の情報は提供されていますか？ケアは行き届いているように見えますか？大切にされているように見えますか？シェルター見学をNGとする団体は要注意です。

保護犬、保護猫を迎えたいと考える方は増えました。しかし残念なことにその善意を利用し、動物ではなくヒトの利益を優先する団体や活動家が存在します。ご自身で、または周りの方で保護団体からペットを家族に迎えることをお考えでしたら、ぜひ参考にしてください。ペットのことでお困りごとがあれば、 いつでもアークにご相談ください。

複雑になる日本の動物福祉を良い流れに変えるには何が必要なのか、アークとして何ができるのか考え続けていきます。

Rapid Rise in “Rescue” Businesses  Haruna Akiyama

In 2025, 163 animals – 72 dogs, 62 cats and 29 other animals found their forever homes through ARK. These figures are a testament to the constant support we receive from our supporters. We are deeply grateful that we were chosen from many to rescue, shelter and rehome these animals.

Over the past ten years, “rescued” dogs and cats have been featured frequently on TV: people are increasingly aware of them. Sadly, this increase in awareness has led to a new group of businesses we call “rescue businesses”. Outlets for animals unwanted by breeders pose as legitimate welfare agencies, enticing well-meaning people with “rescued” animals.

We hear an increasing number of complaints, such as: ‘I gave up on adopting because the fees at another rescue organization were exorbitantly high’, ‘My request to surrender an animal was rejected simply because of its age’, or ‘I adopted an animal from a group, but medical history and pre-existing conditions were not explained at all.’ This makes me seriously question just how many rescue organizations across the country are actually operating with the best interests of the animals in mind.

I wonder what image springs to mind when you hear the terms ‘rescued dog’ or ‘rescued cat’. Perhaps you picture a poor soul saved from a horrific environment, or one who narrowly escaped being ‘euthanized’ at a public shelter.

Rescue businesses exploit these precise images; their core essence is entirely different to organizations like ARK. These groups are experts at manipulating social media influence: they showcase photos of adorable puppies and kittens specifically to drive engagement and plant impressions.

It is not simply a matter of any means to an end. Not every method of finding homes for animals without them is okay. If we operate according to the best interests of the animal, the list of responsibilities naturally grows: Are we providing proper medical care, including spaying and neutering, to prevent the cycle of overpopu-lation? Do we truly understand the personality and traits of each individual animal? Is the environment they are kept in while under our care aligned with the ‘Five Freedoms’? Is the matching process between the animal and the potential owner appropriate?

With a quick search on social media, you can find countless dogs and cats looking for homes. At ARK, we also use social media to share the reality of rescue and rehoming. We have experienced the power of this influence firsthand: for example, a single adoption promotion video that reaches tens of thousands of views can result in a flood of  ‘Initial Assessment’ applications.

However, among those applications, there are always those who withdraw before even reaching the interview stage. They stop and reconsider, realizing, ‘We discussed it as a family again, and realistically, think it would be too difficult.’ This moment of pause and reflection is crucial.

The adoption process at ARK proceeds only after the submission of an Initial Assessment Application and a formal interview with every family member who will be living with the animal. This process is not only indispensable for ensuring a successful match between the animal and the person, but it also serves as a vital period for applicants to truly reflect on whether they are ready to welcome an animal into their lives. In this sense, it acts as a safeguard against impulsive adoptions. Someone might apply to adopt simply because they want to ‘save that one animal’ they saw on social media. If an organization completes an adoption immediately upon receiving an application, I would say that they are no different from a commercial pet shop.

Whether you are looking to adopt or seeking a place to surrender an animal to, please do not get lost in the vast ‘ocean’ of the inter-net. Instead, seek out organizations that operate with the animals as their primary focus.

Visit adoption events and shelters in person. Look closely at the animals’ condition, their expressions, and their living spaces. Is detailed information provided about their history – such as how and when they arrived? Does the care seem thorough? Do the animals look like they are truly cherished?

Be wary of any organization that does not allow shelter visits. A refusal to let you see their facility is a major red flag.

The number of people wishing to welcome a rescue dog or cat into their lives has grown significantly. Unfortunately, there are organizations and ‘activists’ who exploit this goodwill, prioritizing profit over the welfare of the animals.

If you – or anyone you know – are considering adopting a pet from a rescue group, please use these points as a guide. Should you have any concerns or find yourself in a difficult situation regarding your pets, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at ARK.

We will continue to reflect deeply on what is needed to turn the tide for animal welfare in Japan – which grows more complex by the day – and what role ARK can play in leading that change.