Efforts by veterinarians are under way in Japan to reduce the need to euthanize stray cats and dogs abandoned by people who purchased them during the country's pandemic-driven pet ownership boom.
The veterinarians are conducting inexpensive spaying and neutering programs to address the problem of an increasing number of stray animals in Japan's cities, with the pets abandoned by irresponsible owners now reproducing at alarming rates, including uncared for animals that die on their own right after they are born.
Veterinarians Miyuki Daimon, 42, and her husband Masaaki, 38, operate Mobile Vet Office, an animal hospital in Ebetsu, Hokkaido.