Heaven for cat lovers - this Japanese island is entirely populated by cats

3/19/2019

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Nature Story: Heaven for cat lovers - this Japanese island is entirely populated by cats

If you love these fluffy creatures, these pictures taken on the Japanese island of Aoshima will make you go 'aww'.

In Japan, there is a place where cats will be the first creatures to greet you and surround you whenever you go...

Aoshima, an island in Ehime Prefecture, is known for its large number of feline residents.

On Aoshima, cats outnumber people by a ratio of approximately 10:1!

A long time ago, Aoshima was a fishing village, and cats were introduced to combat rodents on fishing boats.

The felines stayed on the island and reproduced in large numbers.

The island is very small - approximately 1 mile long.

Only 13 people and about 130 cats live on the island now.

Unfortunately, not long now till the island becomes an ordinary one.

As the human population of Aoshima declines, the government decided to spay and neuter all the cats.

An average age of Aoshima's human residents is over 75, so it becomes really hard to take care of all the felines.

A lot of tourists come to the island every day. They want to pet all the cats, and some of them even find these cuties healing and understanding.

Nature Story: A lot of tourists come to the island every day. They want to pet all the cats, and some of them even find these cuties healing and understanding. — shutterstock

Have you ever heard about this island? Do you think the Japanese government is doing the right thing?

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

17 Comments

Margaret Struck

Wow ..did not know about the island and the number of cats ...even if they are spayed/neutered ....they still need to have someone feed and look after them... it is sad

Julie Allen

If the tourists are so keen, why don't they take the cats home?

bina sarmah

Frank P. Araujo, Rodent got no chance in 130 cats.

Steve Tingle

Knowing some people who are cat lovers I would have thought it would be easy enough to find volunteers to move there to look after them. And I have known some dogs who would get plenty of exercise with a visit there.

lhreese

Love those kitties.

David Holmes

Frank P. Araujo, none I think!

Frank P. Araujo

What's the rodent population?

Norma Cullerton

Would not like to be there for a 'cat fight'. They all look so healthy, and beautiful.

Sue Ebisuzaki

Hopefully they are not going to euthanize them who will feed them when the people are too old?

beaniesmum

I have heard of this island before. I think that they should get some younger people to go live on the island and help take care of all those cats rather than euthanize them.

ninakamwene

I have been to Japan and did not know about this small place with cats. I hope they let some breed. After all the bad press Japan has in catching big fish in the ocean for fin soup, this small act could mitigate their Karma. Heed it. Thanks Quiz Folks. I love all animals, and have cats for pets, very relaxing.

scottlarock

I have four...soon to be more...a pregnant stray showed up... she will get spayed...we haven't had a litter of kittens around here in a long time...

Alana King

I would love to take care of them, and I'm glad they were originally there for a purpose, but yes, spaying and neutering is the responsible thing, otherwise, if not only feral, they have the problem of overpopulation (much like humans).

Aine Linney

I love all animals and these cats are beautiful, but there are too many to enable a natural balance - just as with us too many people. Perhaps spaying is the answer for humans too.