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Pet Rx
Tokyo offers animal lovers an amazing array of services
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Courtesy of Angell Memorial Daktari |
It’s 3am and your dog or cat needs help. Who ya gonna call? Thanks to the recent pet boom in Tokyo, it’s getting easier and easier to care for your dog or cat. From sitters to shrinks, here are some of the city’s top English-friendly animal care professionals.
Akasaka Animal Hospital
If you’re looking for an experienced vet, Akasaka Animal Hospital tops the lot, having served Tokyo’s four-legged friends for over 45 years. The centrally located clinic offers all the standard services you would expect: vaccinations, radiology and surgery, plus an obedience school and grooming facilities. And you needn’t worry about after-hours issues—the hospital provides 24-7 emergency support.
2F Akabishi Bldg, 4-1-29 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3583-5852. www.akasaka-ah.com
Daktari Animal Hospital
Hiroo’s Daktari Animal Hospital provides medical/surgical care, grooming, puppy training and behavior-consultation services. Led by director Gen Kato, a faculty member at Colorado State University, the veterinarians are all trained in accordance with the most up-to-date practices in the US. There is normally at least one English-speaking staff member on call 24 hours a day. Hiroo is the main branch, but Daktari also has locations in Nakameguro and Kugayama.
Hiroo Yutaka Towers, 5-24-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-5420-0012. www.daktari.gr.jp
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Courtesy of Angell Memorial Daktari |
Dog Inc
At Dog Inc kennel in Kawasaki, pooches can enjoy their own vacation while their owners are away. “We can divide the space [and the dogs] by each pet’s personality,” says owner Toru Yamada. “Our staff are always watching, too, so there is no need to worry about fights between the animals.” The dogs get taken for two walks along the Tama River each day, and there’s even an air-conditioned indoor running course. Prices start at ¥3,000 a night for longer stays, and a no-extravagance-spared suite room is available for ¥20,000. For an additional fee, Dog Inc offers pick-up and drop-off services.
1-1-5 Futako, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa. Tel: 044-850-0850. www.doginc.jp
New York Wan
Positive reinforcement doesn’t just work on humans. That’s why Kenn Sato takes an encouraging approach at his obedience school. Sato has 12 years of experience in training dogs, including ten in New York. His school offers a variety of courses, including 60-, 90- and 120-minute sessions (approx. ¥6,300-¥10,500); six lessons are typically recommended. Additional courses like puppy training are also offered. Lessons can be held at the owner’s house or at an area park.
For more information call 080-6675-0550, email ksnewyork@hotmail.com or see www.nywan.com/eindex.html
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Courtesy of Manami Sato |
Pet Counseling
“Pets have similar emotions and feelings as we do,” says animal counselor Manami Sato. “We need to understand the reason why they bark too much, why they cannot be left alone, and why they bite—along with other problems.” Sato helps owners get to the root of their pet’s behavioral challenges and offers advice on ongoing treatment. An initial 90-minute consultation costs ¥9,000, with each subsequent hour-long session at ¥6,500. Sato donates a percentage of the fee to Animal Refuge Kansai, and she also offers discounted counseling for rescued dogs.
For more information email dog@petcounselling.jp or see www.petcounselling.jp (Japanese).
Pet Sitting Connection
Pet owners face a familiar dilemma when going on holiday: what to do with their pets? To keep boarding costs down, try the Pet Sitting Connection. The service matches owners with local residents who have the time and expertise to take care of their pets. Payments are negotiated directly between the parties.
www.royalbluedk.com/ad/pet_sitting_connection.html
■ Get your kicks for a good cause next month at the annual Footy Japan Charity Sevens at the Yokohama Country & Athletic Club. Proceeds from the event will go to the Jeannie and Billy’s Children’s Foundation, which helps HIV and AIDS orphans in Cambodia. Sixteen teams are invited to sign up for the seven-a-side tourney, with registration closing March 10. If you’re not much of a player but would still like to participate, organizer Footy Japan is also looking for sponsors.
March 20, 9am-4:30pm. Call Footy Japan at 03-3770-0288, email info@footyjapan.com or see www.footyjapan.com for more details.
■ Refugees International Japan will hold its annual Art of Dining exhibition March 18 at the gorgeous Westin Tokyo Hotel in Ebisu. Celebrities from the media, arts, business, diplomatic, and private arenas are giving their time and energy to design table settings, each reflecting a different culture. This year’s exhibitors include local artists, Gordon Ramsay’s Tokyo restaurant, students of the Montessori School of Tokyo, and ambassadors’ wives from Argentina, Mongolia, Fiji and Romania. A number of door prizes are up for grabs, including two roundtrip tickets to London. A donation of ¥3,500 is required for entry and can be made at the door.
March 18, from 10am. See www.refugeesinternationaljapan.org for more information. KC
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