“Wannyapia Akita” is a newly opened facility since June 2019. It is also called as Akita Prefectural Animal Protection Center, where people can adopt street cats and dogs. Wannyapia Akita has been built near my university, Akita International University (AIU), so I know that the place has lots of nature and good environment for both people and animals. It’ll take about 25 to 30 minutes by car from central Akita city.
Wannyapia Akita provides opportunities of pet adoption, learning about pet care, communicating with other pet owners to share experiences, taking care of injured or lost pets due to natural disasters, and so on.
According to statistics by Akita prefecture, I found a shocking fact that about 1000 cats has been culled in Akita every year. But, thanks to the cooperation with local pet adoption center, the number has been decreased to 336 cats and 37 dogs last year (*As of November, 2019). This result shows that the situation is getting better, but still, it made me really sad because I used to have a street cat which I loved so much. My cat had lived for 17 years since he became a member of my family. I want other cats to feel people’s love and have a wonderful cat life, too. So, I’m glad that Wannyapia Akita has opened to protect street cats and dogs from being killed and to improve the current situation.
＊Official Website of Akita prefecture: https://www.pref.akita.lg.jp/en/pages/en?lang=en
At the entrance of Wannyapia Akita, cute doors decorated with an Akita dog and a cat welcome visitors! Actually, the cat is the one which has been given to Mr. Satake, Governor of Akita prefecture, from Russia President Putin in 2013 in return for Akita dog sent from our Governor Satake. Also, there is a big paint of cats and dogs drawn by a local manga artist, Yoshihiro TAKAHASHI. Interiors are mainly made of Akita cedars creating warm atmosphere.
When I entered, I saw a cute cat which mews to me! Some cats were taking a nap, others were just staying there. They seemed to be awaiting for their future owners.
Individual profiles of each cat were shown there, too. Before adoption, new owners can see such information as photo, name, age, conditions of a vaccination, personality and so on. Also, they may ask the staffs about more details of individual cats as needed.
The cat tower is 6.5 meters tall, which is Japan’s tallest cat tower. It is exhibited from 9:30 to 15:00, but we can visit inside the tower between 10:00 ～ 10:30 and 13:00 ～ 13:30 only. Also, visitors need to ask the staff before entering in order not to scare cats.
By visiting this pet shelter, I found that these cats and dogs were born and lived on the street. Or they might be abandoned by previous owners. Even cute kittens were currently in this shelter. I felt sorry for them, but they are now in this safe place! The aim of Wannyapia Akita is to decrease the number of being culled and to increase opportunities to find new family for those cats and dogs. I really hope that they are rescued and spend happy life soon!
On that day, I came across a happy moment!! There were some staffs and a couple smiling with two cute cats. A new family was born there! Everyone including me was all smiling at that time. This is an important moment, I thought. In the near future, I would like to adopt a cat just like them!
Wannyapia Akita has not only the exhibition room but air-conditioned shelters for cats (Max. 50 cats) and dogs (Max. 20 dogs), trimming room, dog park, medical and surgery room, learning center, volunteer room, etc. Also, there was a big monitor of fun quiz so children may enjoy it. Monuments of Akita dog welcome you, too!
Here, you can also see Akita dog which is exhibited irregularly. On this day, a female Akita dog “Komachi” welcomed visitors. Cute!
She is a partner dog working at Wannyapia Akita. Her fluffy ears are my favorite body parts! Don’t you think so?
Speaking of pet adoption, maybe you want to go to a cat café, “Yuzu-no-ie” (Home of Yuzu), in Yuri-honjo city, the southern Akita, Japan. This cat café has lots of cats and you can have a fun “cat time”! Also, you may be able to find your favorite cats for adoption.
I hope more and more people would become interested in protecting these cute animals.
＊＊Check them out! by KUMANEKO TRIP＊＊
Cat café “Yuzu-no-ie” (Home of Yuzu) in Akita, Japan → Read blog♪
~~~ Facility Info ~~~
Wannyapia Akita (Akita Prefectural Animal Protection Center)
1 Okutsubakidai, Yuwa Tsubakigawa, Akita City, Akita, Japan
Open 9:00 ～ 17:00
※Cat Tower: Open 10:00 ～ 10:30、13:00 ～ 13:30
Closed December 29th ～ January 3rd
【Parking】Free
【Access】
＊From JR Akita station: About 25 ～ 30 minutes by car・taxi
＊From JR Akita station: About 30 minutes by bus (Hiroomote-Goshono Line) ～ About 15 minutes from the bus stop “Aeon mall Akita” (Akita International University Line) ～ About 3 minutes on foot from the bus stop “Sports Zone Entrance”
＊From JR Akita station: About 6 minutes by train to Yotsugoya station ～ About 10 minutes by bus (Akita International University Line) About 15 minutes from the bus stop “Aeon mall Akita” (Akita International University Line) ～ About 3 minutes on foot from the bus stop “Sports Zone Entrance”
＊From Akita Airport: About 6 minutes by car・taxi
＊From Akita Airport IC: About 4 minutes by car・taxi
Written by Naomi in Ugo
*As of November, 2019.
