Due to a lack of funding in Ehime prefecture, there are no official shelters or supports for animals here. It has been really difficult to live somewhere that animal welfare is such an afterthought after coming from a country where supports and services are easily accessible.

So, when a friend came across a litter of four-week-old kittens, our options were limited. At that age, we knew that they normally shouldn’t be separated from their mother. Unfortunately we had no choice after realizing that the six-month-old mother was pretty sick and the kittens were dying. Without human intervention, they wouldn’t last the month.

I initially thought to myself that I’d go to my friend’s home and just take a look at them. After all, I lived in an apartment that didn’t allow pets so this would be a risky decision. I also wasn’t in the best place mentally from doing a job that required so little from me. Emotionally I wasn’t much better after months of superficial and rigid relationships with coworkers. I was quickly spiralling into the abyss of “what the f*** am I doing here?” Not really the best state of mind for someone considering fostering young kittens who would need constant care. Especially when I’d only ever had older self-sufficient cats.