parakeet (harajuku)

Posted by timothy sullivan (Tokyo, Japan) on 17 July 2009 in People & Portrait.

Several years ago, I read a newspaper piece (which unfortunately I cannot locate) on a potentially large issue that's been left relatively untouched: What expats do with their pets when deciding to leave Japan. If memory serves, the piece was citing sad cases of the puppy or kitten that was (irresponsibly) bought as a pet, and then the expat realizes the following year that he/she wants to return to his/her home country. So, what to do with the pet?
Some people try to give it away; some people try selling them. Other people, sadly, just unhook the leash and let the animal fend for itself on the streets of Tokyo, or the brush of Chiba--or wherever be.
Last weekend this issue came straight to mind as I was strolling about Yoyogi Park and a blur of green caught my eye. When I finally tracked the movement, I saw a pair of brilliant, gorgeous green parakeets. I had a quick look online and found a fantastic JT article (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ek20090319wh.html) on the topic of where these feral parakeets came from, and what their deal is.
Like me, many people seem to enjoy these splashes of tropical color; but few people, it would seem, consider the larger issue: releasing pets into the wild isn't a solution; having an idea of what you want to do with a pet before you get one is essential.

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