On March 23, 2025, IKEA Tokyo-Bay hosted its first protective dog and cat transfer meeting, welcoming families and pet lovers to participate in the burgeoning initiative aimed at promoting pet adoption. The event, held at the store entrance square, saw approximately 40 animals from four different welfare organizations including 'Neko no Mori' from Funabashi City, 'OHANA' from Katori City in Ibaraki Prefecture, 'Inu Tasuke' from Ibaraki, and 'Small Life Protection' from Adachi Ward, Tokyo.
This gathering marked a significant moment for IKEA Tokyo-Bay, as its representatives emphasized the importance of pets as members of the family. Kazushige Kanazawa, a spokesperson for IKEA, expressed delight at the turnout, stating, "IKEA sees pets as members of the family, and that the event had more interest than anticipated. We hope to continue this in the future."
The meeting featured 24 dogs and 20 cats available for adoption, providing a rare opportunity for families to view multiple animals from various organizations in one location. Visitors interacted with the animals, many excitedly taking photos or engaging with the staff to learn more about the animals available for adoption.
Among the attendees were a mother and her two daughters from Yachiyo City, who expressed their enthusiasm for the wide array of dogs being showcased. The mother remarked, "It’s a great opportunity to see dogs from several organizations in one place. We’re looking for a new family member here today."
A couple who arrived while shopping were surprised by the number of cats present. "Seeing so many cats was unexpected. We had a cat at home and are considering adopting again," one of them said while capturing pictures of the furry friends.
The event featured more than just animal adoptions; it also included the sale of handmade pet goods. Attendees were able to purchase the 'Neko no Mori Donut BOX', a special item created in collaboration with local donut shop SIUNAUS SWEETS from Kit Narashino. This initiative showcased the synergy between local businesses and animal welfare, emphasizing the community's commitment to supporting shelter animals.
Tatsuya Umeda from 'Neko Katsu Café' noted, "We hold transfer meetings at our locations, but we’ve heard many say they feel hesitant to participate. Hosting the event in such an open space provides a platform to reach a wider audience. We hope more people become aware of the number of shelter animals needing homes."
Similarly, other participants voiced their hope that the event would raise awareness regarding the importance of adopting shelter pets. A representative from 'Small Life Protection' stated, "Today, we’ve seen some pets find new families. We’re thrilled to see the community rally together for such a worthy cause. Every pet that finds a home frees up space for us to care for more animals in need. It’s a cycle of compassion that we hope continues.”
As the day unfolded, several animals were matched with new families. Kanazawa concluded the day with a positive outlook, “We are pleased that so many people came to adopt a family member today. With each adoption, we can rescue and care for even more animals in need. We aim to hold more events like this, encouraging everyone to consider welcoming a pet into their homes.”
This enriching event represents a growing trend toward public engagement in animal welfare and adoption, strengthening community ties while addressing the plight of vulnerable animals. The enthusiastic turnout demonstrates the local community's support for such initiatives, paving the way for more collaborative events in the future aimed at expanding the awareness and promotion of pet adoption.
