
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
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
Winnie the Pooh cosplays as Yuzuru Hanyu for new plushie collaboration
Nagoya’s famous Shinkansen platform noodle shop has other, better branches nearby
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
Osaka Starbucks has one of the city’s coolest photo vantage points, but it’s going away soon
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Ohaw? Ruibe? Pocche? While traveling in Japan’s north, we try Ainu cuisine for the first time
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program returns after six years with free tours and festival experiences
KFC Japan unveils new Tsukimi collection that takes moon-viewing to extreme levels
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】