Job Discussion Forums

Appletreesrtall · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 56

Hello! I am about to graduate college, and my goal ever since I have heard of JET was to be a part of it. I feel like I have a pretty impressive resume to give, but the only thing that scares me are my two cats. I know I -will not- leave them in the US. It was my choice to get them, and a pet is a life-long friend and responsibility. So to sum it up, how does JET, or any ALT program look at bringing pets into Japan? I know the process of bringing a pet into Japan (shots, certificates, quarantine, ect ect), but anyone with experience with this, plleeaasseee tell me anything. I don't want to leave little Yoshi and Hoshi behind!

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

You might think that this is a unique situation but it isn't.
Look here for info and it isn't enough, put pets into a search (don't forget to only search the Japan forum, if you seach China forums you only get recipes)

kita · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Japan

I don't know of any current JETs with pets and it doesn't seem like a good idea to bring them to me. Many landlords here do not allow pets and while it probably wouldn't be impossible to find an apartment or housing situation that allowed pets, it would be more work for whatever BOE would hire you, and BOEs typically do not like anything that might require more work. Thus, your chances of being accepted decrease.

Appletreesrtall · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 56

kita · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Japan

You don't choose your location. It�s more like you are placed somewhere. You request one via the application, but many people do not get their requested location.

I'm not sure when you would mention it. You probably don't even have to, until you show up for the plane (cause a rep from the consulate will be there and I doubt you could hide your animal carrier), but if you get over here and the apartment you're placed in doesn't allow pets.....ummmm.....yeah, problem. It�s a good bet they won't cancel your contract, but if they have to get you a new apartment, they could make you find one on your own, pay key money and a deposit. All very expensive and there might even be a fee to cancel the apartment they had arranged for you. Also, I'm not sure on the logistics of what would happen when you get here. We stay in Tokyo for a few days first and then head to different prefectures, some via train, some via bus, and some via a domestic airline. Each of which would have their own rules regarding animal transportation.

Also, have your cats traveled before? A 12 to 15 some hour flight is very hard on animals.

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

Hi, we thought about bringing our cat when we came to japan but it was about a one year expensive process so we decided not to. I was super sad but I realize now it was for the best. BUT if you had to bring your cats I would do like Kita said above, dont tell them. It would stress them out... Most apartments dont allow pets and it may be hard to have a cat somewhere where there are paper walls and tatami floors.
Maybe you could request a leo palace? I read on the Leo Palaces website (the japanese version) that some leo palaces are designed for pets. It is a new thing so you might want to look into it. But we have two cats (and two rabbits) in our leo palace now. I think our neighbor has a dog... There really isnt anything that the cats can mess us (we are getting rid of the rabbits) so I am not that worried. But if I lived somewhere that had things that cats could mess up then I would be more worried. We didnt plan on having the cats, I cant pass up a sick tiny kitten..so that is how we got our cats.
There are leo palaces everywhere...so maybe requesting one wouldnt be that big of a deal....

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

The situation for pets is pretty simple.

Most apartments prohibit cats and dogs, even for Japanese people. Even if you find a rare apartment that permits pets, you will have to pay more in rent. (Not all JET ALTs get free rent anyway.) ANd, JET can't tell you whether you will have a house or an apartment. Don't plan on bringing your pets. If you are that set on not leaving them behind, I suggest that you should reconsider coming here at all. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but it is reality.

kita · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Japan

Ehhhh. I'm not really suggesting not telling them. Just not until you've been accepted/short listed. It�s then that you'll want to bring it up. The way it works is that after you get short listed, you should be contacted by your contracting organization (usually always a BOE). Once contacted you should probably mention you're brining animals so that they can figure things out. But as I warned above, they may make you pay for things, and they probably won't be very happy with you.

My advice? Leave them in the States with a friend or family member. It�s almost a guarantee that bringing them will be a huge hassle.

Also, keep in mind you'll have to start the quarantine process and what not before you get accepted and/or know your placement.

Appletreesrtall · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 56