Rescuing Abandoned Dogs and Cats in Japan
Each year, tens of thousands of stray and abandoned pets are euthanized in Japan to free up space in animal shelters. In response, Peace Winds launched its “Peace Wanko” project – Japanese for “Peace Doggy” – creating the country’s first-ever system of no-kill animal shelters and finding loving homes for dogs in need. It followed this in 2025 with the creation of a “Peace Nyanko” (“Peace Kitty”) initiative for rescue cats.
At the large Peace Wanko shelter in Hiroshima, the team begins by bringing in stray and abandoned pets who were scheduled to be euthanized at animal protection facilities. This includes the sick, injured, and those with behavioral challenges. Next, animals are moved to a quarantine facility where a vet examines them and treats them for any health issues.
Many of the animals Peace Wanko rescues are not used to people, so after they leave the quarantine facility, they are moved to a shelter where staff work on socialization and training. Some dogs live with foster parents before they are adopted into their forever homes, and others find their new families at Peace Wanko’s adoption centers or adoption events.
While most dogs are adopted into their new homes as companion animals, a few receive training with Peace Winds’ disaster response teams as search-and-rescue dogs, helping to save people when earthquakes strike.
In addition to caring for the cats and dogs we rescue, Peace Winds advocates for animal rescue and welfare more broadly. The team partners with government agencies, businesses, and local communities to host events and awareness-raising activities throughout Japan. When Peace Winds responds to disasters around the world, responses often include the distribution of pet supplies, establishment of pet-friendly evacuation centers, or helping affected families reunite with their lost pets.
The Peace Wanko headquarters in Hiroshima cares for up to 2,000 rescue dogs at a time. There are also 10 Peace Wanko adoption centers throughout the country where staff and volunteers care for the dogs until they are matched with their forever families. Since 2012 Peace Winds has rescued more than 9,000 dogs from euthanasia due to overpopulation.
Visit the Peace Wanko site to learn more (Japanese only).
Support the Peace Wanko & Peace Nyanko programs
Donations help us care for shelter dogs and cats while searching for their new forever homes.
