Cat Shelter in Kyoto
2 - 12 weeks
English
All year
18+
650 EUR
Volunteering
Cat Shelter in Kyoto
Japan Cat Network (JCN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the well-being of cats throughout Japan. Founded in 2009, JCN operates as a network of volunteers, foster homes, and partner organizations with the shared mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming stray, abandoned, neglected, and abused cats across the country. In addition to cat rescue, JCN conducts spaying and neutering initiatives, educational outreach, and animal rights advocacy.
The cat shelter operated by JCN in Kyoto receives numerous daily requests for assistance from individuals across Japan seeking help for cats or kittens in need. Despite constant overcapacity and limited funding, the organization strives to provide guidance and resources to help more animals. Shelter staff actively trap feral cats, offer them refuge at the shelter for as long as necessary, provide veterinary care, nutrition, and socialization, and work to find foster or adoptive homes for the cats.
In addition to rescue efforts, JCN is committed to controlling the stray cat population through spaying and neutering initiatives. The organization conducts Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs to manage and stabilize feral cat colonies in a humane way, thereby reducing overpopulation and high euthanasia rates in shelters. TNR is recognized as an effective and compassionate approach to addressing the challenges of stray cat populations, preventing unnecessary suffering and death.
Moreover, JCN places significant emphasis on education and outreach to raise awareness about responsible pet ownership, cat welfare, and the importance of spaying and neutering. Through workshops, seminars, school activities, and educational campaigns, the organization strives to foster compassion and understanding toward cats among the public.
As a valuable resource for cat owners, JCN offers information, support, and advice on various aspects of cat care, behavior, and health. Through their website, social media platforms, and helpline, JCN provides assistance to individuals seeking guidance with their cats.
Your Volunteer Work in Cat Rescue
As a volunteers you can flexibly choose your working schedule in coordination with the cat shelter. Participation can range from just a few hours on one day per week to up to 7 days a week and 40 or more hours, depending on your preference. It is important though that you then follow the agreed schedule, as the shelter plans work accordingly.
There are typically two shifts: a morning shift from 9 am to 1 pm and an afternoon shift usually from 3 pm to 7 pm. Tasks are the same in both shifts and mainly include cleaning the cat rooms, feeding the cats, and observing and documenting the cats’ behavior and condition.
Additional activities, such as repair and renovation work at the buildings, office-related support, creating online content, and participation in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) initiatives, may also be possible depending on current needs. However, these additional tasks cannot be guaranteed and vary according to the shelter’s priorities at the time.
As a volunteer you should be reliable and able to independently carry out “hard” work, which can sometimes be dirty.
Booking Process
You can book your volunteer placement in this project directly online on this page. Alternatively, you can first send us an inquiry if you have further questions or requests.
You secure your spot with a deposit of 100 EUR/USD, the remaining amount is due one month before the program start.
After your booking, please send us, now or later, your CV/resume in English to
Program details
FAQs
Program Rates
Who can join
Program start
Getting there
Visa
Accommodation Options
Sharehouse in Kyoto
Our sharehouse in Kyoto is located in the Fushimi district in the south of Kyoto. From there, also destinations in Osaka, which forms a metropolitan region with Kyoto, are easily accessible by metro.
The house is a former residence with a shop in a traditional residential area. It features three dormitory rooms for eight people each (with a visual partition in the rooms, making each room more like two four-person rooms, further we try to separate by gender; however, this is not always possible and cannot be guaranteed), three twin rooms, two kitchens, a living room, three showers, two toilets, a small "powder room," and a covered outdoor seating area. Luggage can be stored at no extra cost. You can rent a bicycle at a low cost, and a coin-operated washing machine is available. Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the house.
In the same building, on the ground floor in the former shop space, you will find our support office, where you can easily meet our team members on weekdays. A small supermarket is just a minute's walk away, and a convenience store with an ATM is three minutes away. Nearby, along the Uji River, there is a large park.
The Fushimi district is known for its sake breweries and various temples and shrines, which are popular tourist attractions.
Extras
Read more
Calculate your program rate & book now
Need more info?
No worries — just drop us a message and we’ll get right back to you!
What is included?
- Arrangement of your placement at the cat shelter
- Personal consultation and preparation before your arrival
- Access to the World Unite! Knowledge Base with preparation materials tailored to your location and activity, including intercultural preparation
- Preparation via video call before your arrival
- Airport pickup in Kyoto/Osaka (Friday 8 AM - 6 PM)
- On-site support (English, and Japanese speaking)
- Accompaniment to your placement on your first day
- Assistance with setting up a travel SIM card (costs for the SIM card not included)
- Writing of confirmations/certificates for your university, scholarship, child benefit, insurance, etc., as well as filling out/signing internship contracts
- Participation in World Unite! Japanese-English Language Exchange (once a month in person in Kyoto and once a month online)
- CO2 compensation of your long-haul flights: Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro
Not included?
- Accommodation (can be booked as an extra)
- Meals (except in case of host family accommodation, which includes 2 meals per day on weekdays and 3 meals per day on weekends)
- Travel to and from Japan (you book this independently, we support you)
- Insurance (travel health insurance, liability insurance, trip cancellation insurance)
- Personal expenses
- Vaccinations
- Local transportation
INSIGHT
this program
Learn about professional cat care
Affordable sharehouse and host family accommodation can be booked
Support an organization dedicated to cat welfare
Spend time in historic Kyoto
Spend a lot of time with cats
Questions?
your consultant for this program is
Zoe Steinmeyer
(she/her)
- PHONE numBerView our international phone numbers
- Email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Whatsapp+81-90-4702-1361
- INQUIRYSend an inquiry
- Video callBook a video call
Did you know that you can earn academic credits by joining any of our volunteering abroad programs? Read more.
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