The 17th "Connecting Lives: Dog & Cat Photo and Video Contest" is Now Accepting Entries! A Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Aiming for Zero Euthanasia for Dogs and Cats Holds the Contest with the Concept "Adopt, Don't Buy."

The Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Doubutsu Kikin (Animal Action Fund), located in Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, and led by Chairman Kunihisa Sagami, which aims to achieve zero euthanasia for dogs and cats, will hold its 17th "Connecting Lives: Dog & Cat Photo and Video Contest" this year. The subjects for the contest are dogs and cats adopted from government facilities, animal welfare organizations, or individual volunteers, as well as dogs and cats rescued from the streets, "Sakura Neko" (spayed/neutered stray cats), and community cats. The contest's concept is "Adopt, Don't Buy," aiming to widely promote the option of not purchasing lives. The "Connecting Lives: Dog & Cat Photo and Video Contest" began in 2010 with the goal of informing many people about the option of not buying lives and providing an opportunity for as many dogs and cats as possible to find happiness. Many entries are submitted each year to this contest, which is based on the concept of "Adopt, Don't Buy." In the 2025 fiscal year, 1,405 entries were received, and a photo exhibition was held to display the winning and selected works. We shared the happy faces of these dogs and cats with many people. This year, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Takuya Ishikawa, Director of the Animal Welfare Management Office, General Affairs Division, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment (our sponsor), as a new judge. He will join the judging panel of seven, including Chairman Yasumichi Morita (Designer/Representative of GLAMOROUS co.,ltd.), Hachiniichi (a duo of photographers known for the Hacchan series), contemporary artist JUNICHI, painter and creator Pepe Shimada, cat photographer Masayuki Oki, and Kunihisa Sagami, Chairman of Doubutsu Kikin, to select the winning and selected entries. *Please refer to the following page for judge profiles: https://contest.doubutukikin.or.jp/jury.html Organizer: Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Doubutsu Kikin Sponsors: Ministry of the Environment, Osaka Prefecture Eligibility: Anyone can apply. Group or organization applications are also accepted. Number of entries: Up to 10 entries per person. However, there is no limit for entries related to foster parent recruitment or temporary foster care recruitment (foster parent recruitment function available). How to apply: Apply online via the website (https://contest.doubutukikin.or.jp/) Application period: April 1, 2026 - July 31, 2026 Comment submission period: April 1, 2026 - August 31, 2026 Results announcement: September 2026 (subject to change without notice) Minister of the Environment Award (1 winner) (Certificate, prize money/goods worth 100,000 yen) Osaka Prefectural Governor's Award (1 winner) (Certificate, prize money/goods worth 100,000 yen) Chairman's Award (1 winner) (Certificate, prize money/goods worth 20,000 yen) Special Jury Award (1 winner) (Certificate, prize money/goods worth 20,000 yen) Selected Entries (16 winners) (Certificate, commemorative gift) Applications are being accepted from April 1st to July 31st. Apply from the homepage! ▼Apply here▼ https://contest.doubutukikin.or.jp/ An exhibition showcasing the winning and selected works is scheduled to be held in late October 2026. We look forward to receiving your heartwarming entries. Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Doubutsu Kikin Doubutsu Kikin is a private, non-profit animal welfare organization established in Yokohama in 1988. All its activities are funded by private donations. It conducts free spay/neuter surgeries for stray cats ("Sakura Neko TNR*"), free spay/neuter surgeries for dogs and cats from hoarding situations, support for finding foster homes, organizing photo contests, and engaging in awareness and petition campaigns. *Sakura Neko TNR: "Sakura Neko" refers to a cat whose ear tip has been cut into the shape of a cherry blossom petal as a sign of being spayed/neutered. "Sakura Neko TNR" is an activity that contributes to reducing complaints and euthanasia related to stray cats by performing spay/neuter surgeries on them to prevent reproduction, allowing them to live out their single generation as "Sakura Neko." *TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return): An acronym for Trap (capture cats), Neuter (perform spay/neuter surgery), and Return (return to their original location). It is the most effective and humane method worldwide for reducing stray cat populations without killing them. Name: Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Doubutsu Kikin (Animal Action Fund) Address: 71-7 Okuike Minamimachi, Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture Established: June 1988 Chairman: Kunihisa Sagami Official Website: https://www.doubutukikin.or.jp