Many municipalities are struggling to curb the number of cats they dispose of every year. Latest figures show that the number exceeds 130,000 nationwide.
Many officials at animal care centers are concerned that the number is unlikely to fall unless owners change their attitudes toward pets.
An Environment Ministry survey shows that more than 170,000 dogs and cats were put down in fiscal 2011 through March 2012. Of the total, 131,000 were cats and a majority had no owners.