Why I Engage in Animal Protection Activities

We spoke with Christel Takigawa, who is engaged in animal protection activities centered on two initiatives: "Project Zero" and "Project Red."

Horses run, birds fly—their freedom was once a given

 

From a young age, I lived surrounded by animals as a matter of course. When I lived in the French countryside, horses would always be running in the yard, rabbits would be hopping about, and birds weren't kept in cages—they flew freely inside the house.

Even as a child, I sometimes wondered why they weren't in cages like they usually were. But my mother was someone who treated animals fairly. Her idea was that they, like us, should be free, stress-free, and happy. That's why they all lived long lives. The turtle I bought with my own savings when I was five is still alive and well. Turtles really do live a long time, so you should be prepared when you get one (laughs). But even those little guys were always free to roam, and I never thought about how animals should be kept.

In my mind, it was just natural for us to coexist freely. I never felt that sense of urgency that "we must help them." But as an adult, learning about the current state of animals and researching more, it hit me like a ton of bricks—I realized I knew nothing.

Especially after learning about the significance and importance of biodiversity, I became deeply troubled by how much less attention animal existence receives compared to environmental protection or greening efforts. The balance between humans, animals, and the natural environment should be crucial, yet we rarely pause to consider how much the world relies on animals. I realized that unless we focus on animal issues, it won't lead to preserving biodiversity either.

Because they gave me such a rich childhood, I wanted to repay that debt properly. That's why I started focusing on wildlife protection and the issue of euthanizing pets, and about ten years ago, I began sharing information in that field.

Looking Ahead to 2020 Let's Start Now

 

However, individual efforts have their limits. While I had been thinking about eventually starting some kind of organization, the decision to host the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics gave me a strong push, making me feel I had to push forward now. Having such a goal for Japan made it easier to advocate for improving the situation at least by 2020, and it gave me a personal target too. I was fortunate to meet like-minded people to work with, and in May 2014, we established the general incorporated foundation Cristel Vie Ensemble. "Vie Ensemble" is French for "walking through life together" or "shared life."

Our current activities center on two pillars: "Project Zero" and "Project Red." Project Zero addresses the immediate animal welfare issue in Japan: pet protection. Specifically, we aim for zero euthanasia of dogs and cats in accordance with animal welfare standards*1 by 2020. Through media interviews and lectures, we communicate the current reality where over 80,000 dogs and cats are euthanized annually*2, while also supporting shelters that rescue dogs and cats before euthanasia.

Additionally, we have held our "Foster Academy" seminar about 20 times. A foster is a volunteer who temporarily cares for dogs or cats from public health centers or shelters until they find permanent homes. Increasing the number of fosters reduces the number euthanized at public health centers. When shelter space opens up, more animals can be taken in from the centers. Furthermore, fosters can serve as a bridge for people hesitant to become permanent owners right away. First, I hope to spread awareness of the foster system and foster a network among people who share this desire.

With these two activities working in tandem, we also look forward to corporate support.

 

Project Red is a wildlife conservation initiative named after the "Red List," the global list of endangered wildlife. As a Japanese issue, we are focusing on endangered species in Hokkaido, particularly raptors like the Blakiston's Fish Owl. Why raptors? Because they occupy the apex or upper levels of the ecological pyramid. Their numbers significantly impact ecosystem maintenance, making them crucial for protecting Japan's forests.

We collaborate with Dr. Keisuke Saito, the representative and veterinarian of the Raptor Medical Research Institute who is actively involved in rescues in Hokkaido. We provide doctor cars to enable immediate on-site treatment and assist in promoting Dr. Saito's activities. I've visited Hokkaido many times myself and was deeply shocked to see so many animals that cannot be returned to the wild. These individuals are so busy they have no time for publicity, so we want to support those directly saving lives through public relations and awareness efforts.

The significance of pursuing both Zero and Red initiatives in tandem is actually substantial when it comes to increasing supporters. Wildlife conservation is large-scale and tends to attract attention from corporations and other organizations. Pet issues, however, feel too familiar and can seem like minor problems. Yet both are fundamentally about "coexistence." We hope that by starting with Red's support, we can create a flow where people also become aware of dog and cat issues.

I learned this as I began studying the field: overseas, even shelter facilities are mostly supported by private entities. Many shelters are clean and welcoming, making anyone feel comfortable entering. In Japan, however, shelters operate on the edge, sustained by individual volunteers and donations, and the care provided isn't always comprehensive. Better shelter environments are obviously good for the animals living there, but they also help attract more potential adopters. We sincerely hope companies will support these aspects.

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※1 Animal care with consideration for comfort

※2 Ministry of the Environment: Status of Dog and Cat Intake and Injured Animal Shelter (FY2015)

www.env.go.jp/nature/dobutsu/aigo/2_data/statistics/dog-cat.html