Caring for Stray Cats: Balancing Compassion and Reality

At Neko Kara Mesen, we receive all kinds of inquiries every day. Some people call because they can't stop worrying about a stray living outside. Others ask what the right thing to do is when they encounter a stray.

Honestly, even after 20 years in this field, I still find myself asking the same questions.

Recently, someone shared the story of a stray they've cared for over the years. The cat, beloved by the local community, still comes for meals every day but now eats very little — possibly due to illness. They wanted to take the cat to a veterinarian and bring it indoors if possible.

The problem is, they live in housing that doesn't allow pets. Even if the cat required long-term treatment after a hospital visit, they wouldn't be able to provide the care it needs. They were caught between their desire to help the cat and the limitations of their situation.

*Life is tough for cats living outdoors.*

Common Dilemmas

Sometimes, people call us after unexpectedly finding a weakened cat, saying they want to take it to a veterinarian. But many haven't fully considered the medical costs or what would happen to the cat after diagnosis. After discussing the situation, some ultimately decide to do nothing, while others choose to step in and care for the cat.

On the other hand, some people impulsively bring a cat indoors, only to realize that a stray, unaccustomed to human contact, won't tolerate being touched, let alone receiving treatment. As the cat's condition worsens, they may call us in tears, saying, "I thought I was saving them, but maybe I'm only making things worse."

The role of Neko Kara Mesen is not to force people into a simple choice of "rescue" or "do nothing." Instead, we aim to help each person organize their thoughts and find, together, the best possible course of action for the cat within their realistic capabilities.

*Caring for stray cats isn't simply a choice between rescuing them or leaving them be.*

Sustainable Care

In recent years, the concept of the Five Freedoms has become widely recognized as a standard for animal welfare:

Freedom from hunger and thirst
Freedom from discomfort
Freedom from pain, injury, and disease
Freedom to express normal behavior
Freedom from fear and distress

These principles are fundamental to animal welfare and deeply important to us. However, they are primarily intended for animals under human management: livestock, zoo animals, laboratory animals, and pets. It is extremely difficult for stray cats, who are not fully under human control, to meet all of these conditions.

There is no single correct answer. We must carefully balance what is ideal with what is realistic, defining for ourselves — and for each cat — what we can and cannot do.

*This stray cat is used to human contact, but this also makes it more vulnerable to abuse.*

One veteran volunteer who has been feeding dozens of community cats daily for over ten years shared their philosophy:

"Except for injuries caused by humans, I do not actively pursue treatment. I watch over them outdoors until the very end, and only when I clearly sense they are at the terminal stage do I take them in and stay with them as they pass."

Setting such boundaries is not heartless. I believe it is a necessary skill for continuing to face life and death. Yet, those who pay out of their own pockets for trap–neuter–return (TNR) often face thoughtless criticism:

"It's cruel to return them outside after going through the trouble of catching them," some say. "If you really feel sorry for them, you should take them home."

These kinds of remarks can hurt those who are taking action and even pressure them to give up the important work they are doing. But I sincerely hope people will not give in to these thoughtless voices.

Set Boundaries

When caring for stray cats, it is essential to set boundaries in a sustainable way. No one can rescue every cat, and the more perfection you demand of yourself, the harder and more painful the work becomes. What matters is deciding the appropriate distance for yourself with each cat and continuing in a way that does not overwhelm you.

A relationship that is kind both to yourself and the cat — one that you can sustain — is, in my view, the approach that honors life most closely.

Adoption Event Information

Date: Sunday, December 14, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: CATS WELCARE Abeno Branch
1-8-26 Sanmyo-cho, Abeno Ward, Osaka City

Unlike typical adoption events, the cats are not kept in cages. Visitors can interact with them naturally in a relaxed environment while finding the cat that best fits their personality.

CATS WELCARE

CATS WELCARE is a nonprofit organization that operates rescue facilities and adoption-style cat cafés in Nishi Ward and Abeno Ward, Osaka City.

The representative is a practicing pediatrician. Through experience supporting child abuse victims, they came to believe that helping cats must start with supporting the people around them. Guided by the philosophy, "For the happiness of cats. For the happiness of people," the organization works to promote the well-being of both cats and the people who care for them.

In recent years, the number of elderly cats being abandoned due to their owners' health or financial issues has been rising. At the same time, more elderly people are living alone in urban areas. By matching senior cats with limited time left to live with elderly individuals experiencing loneliness, CATS WELCARE is exploring new forms of senior cat adoption that bring happiness to both sides.

About the Author

Eriko Koike graduated from Ritsumeikan University and began cat rescue, adoption, and TNR activities in 2004. In graduate school, she conducted research on stray cats, focusing on the realities of coexistence in society. In 2018, she founded Neko Kara Mesen, a service dedicated to helping rescued and stray cats. With bases in Kyoto, Fukuoka, and Okinawa, she is fully immersed in supporting cats both professionally and personally.