
The Japanese Twitterverse has been sharing some handy tricks for rescuing our feline friends in times of emergency.
What to do when you’re walking down the street and you hear the sudden meowing of stray cat?
It’s probably a good idea to contact the appropriate animal authorities regardless, but in certain times of emergency, it may be faster for you to initially deal with the situation by yourself as long as the animal has no outward signs of injury. In fact, the Japanese Twitterverse has recently been spreading a simple idea to make rescuing the animal in such a situation easier: When rescuing a cat, use a large mesh washing bag. There’s less chance of it escaping, and many cats feel safer inside.
Interestingly, one of the first groups to tweet this trivia was V系×どうぶつ愛護 VISUMAL, a visual kei band whose mission focuses on spreading awareness of animal rights issues and rescue efforts:
https://twitter.com/n_visumal/status/720789939751751681We never expected to see the combination of visual kei and cute little kittens, but it’s pretty awesome.
The band’s official website even gives suggestions on what to do in case you find abandoned puppies or kittens, and provides information about how to adopt rescue animals.
▼ Some of the band’s “graduates” (i.e., adopted rescue animals)
Several other Japanese Twitter users also voiced their love of the mesh washing bag, as seen in the following posts:
▼ @satuma_h also advises uses washing bags in times of emergency or as a general place for your own kitties to curl up on, as the bags smell like you/your clothes, something familiar and relaxing to them.
猫さまの寝床に洗濯ネット敷いておくとご自分の匂いがついて安心するみたいで普通にそれの上で寝るようになるし、丸めて遊ばせるとさらに怯えなくなるから病院とか有事の際に便利よ 袋閉じるとすごい愕然とした顔するけど pic.twitter.com/WLcI8GqRpx
— モイスチャーデブふるや (@satuma_h) April 16, 2016
▼ Responders to natural disasters have even used this trick, with stellar results.
https://twitter.com/rakuichirakuthe/status/712644345053073412On a related note, another Twitter user suggests gripping your cat under its armpits and swaying it gently back and forth during earthquakes so that it mistakes the ground shaking for your swinging, therefore calming it down.
猫が地震でびっくりしているときは、猫のわきの下に手を入れて支える形で抱っこして、ぶらぶらと揺らしてみてください。「なんだ。揺らしてるのはお前だったのか」という顔をして落ち着きます。ネットで得た知識だけど、うちの子たちには効果的だったので、試してみる価値はあると思います。
— 野良さん@時はフレッシュキジトラ (@blue_noracat) April 14, 2016
What other handy tricks have you learned over the years? Share with your fellow animal lovers in the comments section below!
Source: Twitter/@n_visumal
Top image: Twitter/@n_visumal




Drummer for visual kei band evokes smiles online with photos of adorable rescue kitten
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Tokyo’s city hall changes dress code, workers now allowed to wear shorts[Videos]
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japanese festival float slams full-speed into power pole at Danjiri Matsuri in Osaka 【Videos】
Manga artist Kenya Suzuki convicted of child pornography charges, given suspended prison sentence
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says