TOCHIGI, Japan: Local dog owners have taken their obsession with their pets to new heights - with the opening of the very first canine nursing home.
You really have to hand it to the Japanese - they manage to come up with so many innovative products and services. While some may be considered frivolous ("do we really need one of these?"), others are downright useful ("I have GOT to get one of those"), and some are absolutely ingenious ("Why didn't anybody think of THAT before?").
One such example is Japan's (and the world's) very first nursing home for dogs. Yahoo reports that the Soladi Care Home for Pets has an assisted living program which provides 24/7 monitoring by trained doctors and vets. Located in the eastern Japanese city of Tochigi, the concept for the canine nursing home was developed between the Soladi Company and the Endo Veterinary Clinic.
Speaking to The China Daily, the Soladi Company's Takao Kanai said that since many pet owners have full-time jobs, it is particularly hard for them to care for pets with special needs.
"In addition," Kanai said, "pet owners who live in condominiums often won't be able to keep their pets because of complaints by their neighbors over the noises that aged dogs make at night."
A fully-operational well-staffed facility, the canine nursing home will house up to 20 dogs at any given time - and with weeks to go until opening, they already have clients lining up. Yahoo reports that pet owners will be charged 98,000 yen per month (about $800) to avail their pooches of Soladi Care Home's services.
To put things in perspective, an average single-person apartment can set you back about 40,000-70,000 yen a month just by itself.
So what exactly does your $800 get your aging pooch? Quite a lot, really. Associated Content reports that dogs checked in at the Soladi Care Home have round-the-clock doctor visits and check-ups, as well as customized exercise and physical therapy programs. For dogs with special requirements (say, in the case of diabetes or incontinence), in-house vets are standing by, ready to be at their side at a moment's notice.
Specially-formulated diets have also been developed by Endo's vets, giving the dogs extra vigor and vitality. And for some really clever canine therapy, the Soladi Care Home employs a frisky group of rescued puppies for the older dogs to play with, according to the Associated Press, helping them feel better, younger and more fit.
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“Pet owners will be charged 98,000 yen per month (about $800) to avail their pooches of Soladi Care Home's services.”
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Of course, with this kind of service, you would expect visiting hours to be completely unrestricted. Pet owners can visit their animal companions any time they feel like it.
According to the UK's Daily Mail, analysts say that a boom in pet ownership in Japan, complemented by better health care and a more balanced diet, has led to a surge in elderly pets. In fact, this trend sees doting dog-owners turn to canine vitamins, aromatherapy and even acupuncture to help their companions through their old age.
The Soladi Company reportedly has plans of putting up a total of seven such nursing homes across Japan within the next three years.
Say what?! Oh my... what will these Japanese think of next? They are really something, huh? It's nice in a way coz these dogs will be given proper care in their old age. But it's sad also because a dog who has been living with you for a long time will be placed in a nursing home just coz of old age. Poor dog. Dogs would probably want to die in a familiar place - with his pack, his family...
Imagine that- accupuncture and aromatherapy for their pets. Now a nursing home- now, that's love =)
$800 a month?! Wow. You can get yourself some full-time help with that kind of cash. I'd rather my dog stays with me, especially when they reach that kind of age.
You know I don't think it's a bad idea after all. LA alone has so many things to offer dogs and dog lovers- grooming salons, hotels, taverns for pet owners- so yeah a nursing home in the works shouldn't be far off.
These japanese people really do think of everything! I wonder if the US will follow suit. Hey! we already have those expensive dog hotels, a retirement home for dogs wouldn't be much of a surprise if it comes to our country.
Just goes to show how people love their dogs tremendously around the world. A nursing home for dogs! What will they think of next? Although, I myself can't imagine letting go of my dog especially in his twilight years. I would rather spend it till he passes away.
that's so mean! how can you even do that to your pet on her golden years? she gave you all the love during her younger years then when she gets old, you just drop her off like a hot potato! it will just make her unhappy and die even sooner because of depression.
hey i think this is a wonderful idea. i live on my own, and i've had the misfortune of catching a flu, and i sort of know how it feels when you couldn't take care of your dog.
hey, if you'd like to put your dog in a nursing home, i would suppose it's so much better than putting it to sleep or abandoning it. pretty steep though.
hey. i think this is nice. it's better for old dogs to be there and get the attention and care they need rather than be neglected at an old age, right?
I don't like the idea of a nursing home. After taking care of your pet for a certain number of years, you suddenly turn your back on him just because he is old and doesn't play with you anymore? Wrong! How could you?
I hate the idea of a nursing home for dogs. Bud has been with me and has been my best friend for years. When he's older, I know he wouldn't be able to jog around. He has given me the best years of my life and he should get it too esp when he's old. All dog owners should give back the happiness your dog has given you
I love my dog but hey what if i cant take care of him anymore? im all for giving back happiness to your pets but if ul only cause them more hardship than fun then let someone else do it for you.
I don't see anything wrong with checking your dog into a nursing home (assuming you're in Japan). Have you seen the apartments there? I've lived in Osaka for three years. Heck, I'll check myself into a nursing home if they'll have me.
YO lauren! I agree with you. I lived in TOkyo for a year on business. man, the apartments there are tiny! kitchen, bedroom, table, everything was cramped inside a 26 square meter room. no place for dogs, except in countryside houses. nursing homes are ok if it'll provide the dog more comfort and space.
when you buy a dog, it means that there is enough space for it. why buy a dog if you live in cramped quarters, right? terrible that people will just neglect their dogs who are old. yeah, they are not as fun and cute, but they have given you enough love, probably even more love than you could ever get in your lifetime.
just goes to show how the japanese view their pets. i just find it so cruel that when your pet reaches his or her twilight years, you just leave them in a nursing home. why is that? i guess they do this kind of thing also to their grand parents.