The now 6-month-old Ame arrived at the ARK shelter in the pouring rain when she was just 1 month old. She suffered from a near-fatal cold and underwent three operations on her eye, which had been affected by her illness. She was taken home every night by a foster parent in order to help care for her eye and now is well but has only partial sight in her left eye. No doubt due to all the handling and care she received as a kitten, she is perhaps the most laid-back, people-friendly kitten at the shelter. Her eye has not hampered her in the least. Ame loves to play with intensity and focus, then flop down and fall into a deep slumber. Ah, such is the life. Ame allows no rain on her parade. She takes on life with joie de vivre, a wink and, most assuredly, a smile.

Originally published in the Japan Times on Saturday, August 22, 2009. Photo by Kaori Kayano.

Interested in Adopting Ame?

Please email ARK at tokyoark[at]arkbark.net or call 080-6146-3889 (English) or 080-6517-8913 (Japanese). Tokyo ARK is a nonprofit organization founded by Brit Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped. Prospective new owners undergo a screening process.

The Japan Times supports stray and abandoned animals by publishing this photo box every Saturday in the Weekend/People section of the paper. The information is then archived here on the Angels with Fur site one week later, on the following Saturday.

See also: Other potential pets who have been featured on the Angels with Fur site

What she lacks in size, Yu makes up for in heart. She has a huge one. This little tan dachshund is half the size of a big cat and certainly smaller than your average one. Indeed, there’s nothing average about Yu. Nine years old, she is a friend to all — dogs, cats, children, men and women. She’s a dog with class. No crazy kid stuff here. She’s quiet and social and loves to sit in laps. Yu would fit into any family, one with children, one without. She’d suit single people and senior citizens as well, or even make a great dog for a busy shop. You name it, Yu can handle it, because, like they say, size… just doesn’t matter.

Originally published in the Japan Times on Saturday, August 15, 2009. Photo by Kaori Kayano.

Interested in Adopting Yu?

Please email ARK at tokyoark[at]arkbark.net or call 080-6146-3889 (English) or 080-6517-8913 (Japanese). Tokyo ARK is a nonprofit organization founded by Brit Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped. Prospective new owners undergo a screening process.

The Japan Times supports stray and abandoned animals by publishing this photo box every Saturday in the Weekend/People section of the paper. The information is then archived here on the Angels with Fur site one week later, on the following Saturday.

See also: Other potential pets who have been featured on the Angels with Fur site

The 10-year-old beagle Beckham came to ARK after he was found wandering along a major intersection alone about seven years ago. He was fortunate enough to be adopted but returned to ARK when his owner had to be hospitalized. A second adoption resulted in his return to the shelter yet again due to a weight gain and his owners’ unwillingness to either slim him down or deal with the consequences — a need for frequent walks. Beckham loves to beg for food and he’s so cute it’s hard not to be a pushover. Still, what he needs more than tidbits is a loving but intelligent owner who can show him a bit of tough love in order to keep him svelte and healthy. Beckham is good with children and other dogs. His only vice is an appetite that gets him in trouble.

Originally published in the Japan Times on Saturday, August 8, 2009. Photo by Asuka Hirata.

Interested in Adopting Beckham?

Please email ARK at tokyoark[at]arkbark.net or call 080-6146-3889 (English) or 080-6517-8913 (Japanese). Tokyo ARK is a nonprofit organization founded by Brit Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped. Prospective new owners undergo a screening process.

The Japan Times supports stray and abandoned animals by publishing this photo box every Saturday in the Weekend/People section of the paper. The information is then archived here on the Angels with Fur site one week later, on the following Saturday.

See also: Other potential pets who have been featured on the Angels with Fur site

Lailey came to the ARK shelter as a sweet, stray kitten. That was nine years ago. For whatever reason, no doubt her less-than-popular tortoise-shell coloring, Lailey was passed over all these years. With the many success stories prompted by the Japan Times photo box, however, hope that Lailey will find a home has been revived. The staff members are keeping their fingers crossed with memories of such as Queenie, in ARK for eight long years, and Zeros, who despite a slight health condition, found a loving home that radically improved his condition. Then there was Zeros’ friend, Otto, who was adopted happily into the same home. And there was Tetta and Neeta, both with health troubles from a traumatic start to life. There have been many miracle tales and they are giving all hope, including Lailey. Not an aggressive bone in her body, a sweetheart who loves to play with people, Lailey’s happiness is just being with someone. All she needs is someone happy to be with her.

Originally published in the Japan Times on Saturday, August 1, 2009. Photo by Kaori Kayano.

Interested in Adopting Lailie?

Please email ARK at tokyoark[at]arkbark.net or call 080-6146-3889 (English) or 080-6517-8913 (Japanese). Tokyo ARK is a nonprofit organization founded by Brit Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped. Prospective new owners undergo a screening process.

The Japan Times supports stray and abandoned animals by publishing this photo box every Saturday in the Weekend/People section of the paper. The information is then archived here on the Angels with Fur site one week later, on the following Saturday.

See also: Other potential pets who have been featured on the Angels with Fur site

The dog in the following pictures was found in Tsukuba, Ibaraki on August 6, 2009 at 10:30pm. Please contact Angels with Fur Japan if you know who the owner is.

Update: “Minto” found her owners! Apparently she escaped after being chased by a large dog. Her owners were out looking for her and happened to check at the local convenience store right when the person who had taken Minto in was trying to print out “Dog Found” posters at the copy machine!

Here are (clockwise from bottom left) Sarah, Sion, Moomooki and Minky. They are now 2 months old (pictured at 6 weeks) and are four of the 12 kittens at ARK currently looking for homes. For now they are able to snuggle together, safe and content as innocent new life should be. These, unfortunately, are only the lucky ones, those of the discarded and abandoned that have gotten a chance at a life. They will not be among the 1,000 animals put down every day at pounds throughout Japan. A tiny number to be sure, but surely each life saved, each life cherished and nurtured in a caring home, is a bright light in the darkness, a blow against the apathy. Please, strike a blow.

Originally published in the Japan Times on Saturday, July 25, 2009. Photo by Machiko Nakano.

Interested in Adopting a Kitten?

Please email ARK at tokyoark[at]arkbark.net or call 080-6146-3889 (English) or 080-6517-8913 (Japanese). Tokyo ARK is a nonprofit organization founded by Brit Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped. Prospective new owners undergo a screening process.

The Japan Times supports stray and abandoned animals by publishing this photo box every Saturday in the Weekend/People section of the paper. The information is then archived here on the Angels with Fur site one week later, on the following Saturday.

See also: Other potential pets who have been featured on the Angels with Fur site

The Japan Times and Tokyo ARK have given Angels with Fur kind permission to reprint notices regarding pet adoptions (see: potential pets who have been featured on the Angels with Fur site). In addition to requests for adoption, they also publish success stories about pets who find new homes. Here is the latest success story.

Kyoko Kitaguchi poses with her recently adopted Cherry (right) and Boss, another dog she had adopted from ARK. Cherry was first featured here last November. She had been abandoned by her first owners and left locked in an apartment when they moved out. She spent seven long years at the shelter waiting for a home. Finally, adopted by the Kitaguchis, Kyoko and husband, Hiroki, Cherry is now part of a caring family. Love and care have done wonders. Kitaguchi, however, refuses to take the credit. “It is Cherry who is trying her best to fit in with us.” This is the third dog the Kitaguchis have adopted from ARK. Although they recognize how adorable and cute puppies are, Kyoko says she has a fondness for older dogs and also sympathizes with them. “Like humans, the loneliness that comes with age is a very sad thing.” Also, she feels more of a bond with older animals. “Unlike with puppies, I find it easier to communicate with older dogs. There is something about older dogs that I love.” And, Kyoko, there’s something about you we love! From ARK and The Japan Times, thank you for giving Cherry a home.

Originally published in the Japan Times on Saturday, July 18, 2009. Photo by Kyoko Kitaguchi.

Interested in Adopting a Pet?

Please email ARK at tokyoark[at]arkbark.net or call 080-6146-3889 (English) or 080-6517-8913 (Japanese). Tokyo ARK is a nonprofit organization founded by Brit Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped. Prospective new owners undergo a screening process.

The Japan Times supports stray and abandoned animals by publishing this photo box every Saturday in the Weekend/People section of the paper. The information is then archived here on the Angels with Fur site one week later, on the following Saturday.

See also: Other potential pets who have been featured on the Angels with Fur site

Black Jack spent all nine years of his life with his previous owner before that person fell ill and had to be hospitalized. Black Jack came to ARK, but being an older dog, he is having trouble adjusting to the noisy shelter. To tell the truth, he is not doing well. In fact, his is one of the rare cases where euthanization has been considered. A Siberian husky mix of about 15 kg, Black Jack has one brown eye, one blue, is very friendly, loves to cuddle and loves to go for walks. But, he is sad and visibly stressed at being kept in a confined area. He has some space at the moment but will cry all night long if kept in the kennel. He is in good health now but it is feared the stress and loneliness will take its toll. Black Jack is fine with other dogs and would be good for someone with a garden and a high fence. Even though he is 9, he can jump like a puppy. Older dogs often have difficulty adjusting to change and the move from a loving home to the impersonal shelter can be traumatic. ARK is hoping some kind soul will help give Black Jack back what he so painfully misses, a place he can call his own, a place to call home.

Originally published in the Japan Times on Saturday, July 11, 2009. Photo by Kyoko Harada.

Interested in Adopting Black Jack?

Please email ARK at tokyoark[at]arkbark.net or call 080-6146-3889 (English) or 080-6517-8913 (Japanese). Tokyo ARK is a nonprofit organization founded by Brit Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped. Prospective new owners undergo a screening process.

The Japan Times supports stray and abandoned animals by publishing this photo box every Saturday in the Weekend/People section of the paper. The information is then archived here on the Angels with Fur site one week later, on the following Saturday.

See also: Other potential pets who have been featured on the Angels with Fur site

Never had a cat before? One-month-old Minky could ease you through first-time anxieties. A doll of a kitten, Minky was born to a stray mother who cared for her kittens to the point of self-sacrifice. When the kittens came to ARK, they were all healthy, but their mother was bone thin. Minky was well-cared for and it shows. Pure, sweet, well-adjusted, she’s a kitten that loves to curl up in laps. Never whiny or demanding of attention, she will nonetheless lap it up. Playful, but not hyper, energetic but not exhausting, Minky loves to care for others and loves to mother her siblings, Moomooki and Lucy. Won’t you please help preserve such touching purity of heart?

Originally published in the Japan Times on Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Stephanie Stepanka.

Interested in Adopting Minky and/or her Siblings?

Please email ARK at tokyoark[at]arkbark.net or call 080-6146-3889 (English) or 080-6517-8913 (Japanese). Tokyo ARK is a nonprofit organization founded by Brit Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped. Prospective new owners undergo a screening process.

The Japan Times supports stray and abandoned animals by publishing this photo box every Saturday in the Weekend/People section of the paper. The information is then archived here on the Angels with Fur site one week later, on the following Saturday.

See also: Other potential pets who have been featured on the Angels with Fur site

The Japan Times and Tokyo ARK have given Angels with Fur kind permission to reprint notices regarding pet adoptions (see: potential pets who have been featured on the Angels with Fur site). In addition to requests for adoption, they also publish success stories about pets who find new homes. Here is the latest success story.

Featured in late March, siblings Memina (tortoiseshell) and Ryoto (all black) had waited 10 months at the ARK shelter before finding a permanent home with Jessica Ocheltree and Makoto Kozuka of Tokyo. Above, Ocheltree holds Ryoto while Kozuka sits with Memina. “They were the ideal cats to adopt together,” says Ocheltree, originally from Arizona. “We are both at work all day, so they keep each other company and appear to spend most of the day sleeping. When we come home they are always pleased to see us, but they aren’t panicked.” Ocheltree had had pets all her life until she came to Japan five years ago, and missed having animals around. For Kozuka, however, pets were a first, thus the decision to adopt older kittens as they believed there would be less stress all around. Shy Memina has come out of her shell and taken to Kozuka, but both cats will follow their new owners around the house. To Jessica and Makoto, thank you for keeping this brother and sister together and making them a part of your family.

Originally published in the Japan Times on Saturday, June 27, 2009. Photo by Jessica Ocheltree.

Interested in Adopting a Pet?

Please email ARK at tokyoark[at]arkbark.net or call 080-6146-3889 (English) or 080-6517-8913 (Japanese). Tokyo ARK is a nonprofit organization founded by Brit Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped. Prospective new owners undergo a screening process.

The Japan Times supports stray and abandoned animals by publishing this photo box every Saturday in the Weekend/People section of the paper. The information is then archived here on the Angels with Fur site one week later, on the following Saturday.

See also: Other potential pets who have been featured on the Angels with Fur site