"18 Years of Gratitude" to a Kitten Who Survived by Licking Sand: Showa-Era Popular Character "Nameneko" Becomes Support Goods to Save Protected Dogs and Cats in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture!

Ishino Shoten Co., Ltd., a gift specialty store in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, has developed support goods for protected dogs and cats in collaboration with the Showa-era retro character "Nameneko" and the local "NPO Dog and Cat Life," and has begun nationwide distribution as a Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation) return gift.

Through high-quality "MADE in SAIJO" towels, a portion of the profits will be donated to the local "NPO Dog and Cat Life." The origin of the project is a wounded kitten that Representative Ishino encountered 20 years ago, which had survived by eating sand. This is a challenge starting from a city of 90,000 people, transforming gratitude for a beloved cat with whom he spent 18 years into a force to save small lives in the region.

"There was only sand in its stomach" - What a beloved cat, rescued from despair, taught him. The initiator of this project, Hiroyuki Ishino, has an unforgettable scene. During his student days, he visited Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, for a driving camp and rescued a black kitten named "Koban."

Koban was hit by a car and left with a complex fracture in its hind legs.

An X-ray showed that its stomach was filled with "sand," indicating that it had licked the ground to endure hunger when there was nothing to eat.

A miracle occurred when a veterinarian agreed to perform surgery for only the cost of materials, on the condition that Ishino would "take responsibility and care for it."

And 18 years of happy days welcomed as a family member.

When Koban passed away in 2024, a strong sense of mission sprouted in Ishino's heart: "I want to pass on the baton of the life that was saved to the next."

■ "Nameneko" x "Imabari Towel" - Serious support embedded in an unusual collaboration. Ishino learned about the support goods created by "Hogoneko House" (Protected Cat House) and "Takahashi Tatami Center" operating in Saijo City, and decided to stand up as a "gift professional" himself.

The pride of "MADE in SAIJO": Imabari Towel brand certified product, polished with Saijo's rich water, boasting excellent absorbency. The promise of "220 (Nyan Nyan) yen": For each donation, 220 yen from Ishino Shoten's profits will go to "NPO Dog and Cat Life." Playfulness and love are also included in the numbers. Synergy of regional collaboration: Building a sustainable support model that contributes to the region by collaborating with local industries such as local towel factories and Saijo City's Furusato Nozei.

■ Message from Representative Hiroyuki Ishino: "Believing in a big miracle in a small town." "Just like the veterinarian who saved Koban back then, this time I want to be a force for someone else, and for small lives. I believe that even in a small town of 90,000 people, if NPOs, volunteers, and shops cooperate, we can overcome the big hurdle of 'zero culling.' I hope this towel becomes a 'flag of hope' for people nationwide to learn about Saijo City's activities."

[Product and Interview Information] Product Name: Iyo Saijo Nameneko Towel (Furusato Nozei exclusive) Listing sites: Rakuten, Furanavi, Satofuru, Furusato Choice, Amazon Related products:

[About Interviews: Video and Photo Material Available] Story interview: Representative Ishino's episode with his beloved cat Koban and his thoughts on support. Activity site interview: Current status of protection activities at "NPO Dog and Cat Life." Regional collaboration interview: Behind the scenes of product development through collaboration between different industries (towel factory, gift shop).

*Materials such as photos of Koban at the time and product manufacturing scenes can also be provided.

[Contact Information]
Ishino Shoten Co., Ltd. Contact: Hiroyuki Ishino
Phone: 0897-53-3111 (Saijo store) / 0897-43-2878 (Niihama store)
Address: 85-1 Omachi, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gift_no_ishino/