[10 Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquakes] 90% of Dog Owners Answer "Don't Know the Evacuation Site" or "Unsure How to Use It". Challenges Remain in Evacuating Accompanied by Beloved Dogs [Kenko Inu Seikatsu Survey]

Rita Foods Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture; President and CEO: Shinya Inomoto), which operates the dog food brand "Kenko Inu Seikatsu" (https://kenko-dog.com/) that supports dogs' health through food like "Baniku Shizen Zukuri" (Natural Horse Meat), conducted a "Survey on Disaster Prevention and Evacuation with Beloved Dogs" targeting dog lovers.

This survey revealed that 64.9% of owners do not know the location of evacuation sites where they can be accompanied by their dogs. Additionally, the results showed that "peace of mind from their usual diet" is highly sought after precisely during times of emergency.

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Approaching the milestone of 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquakes, in order to grasp the current state of preparedness and awareness among dog owners, we set questions regarding the following items and compiled the results.

• Awareness of the importance of evacuating accompanied by beloved dogs

• Reasons for hesitating to move to an evacuation shelter (multiple answers allowed)

• Specific anxieties regarding meals (pet food) during a disaster (multiple answers allowed)

• Level of awareness and understanding of how to use "accompanied evacuation sites" in residential areas

• Willingness to participate in "accompanied evacuation drills" with beloved dogs and whether or not they have experience doing so

We are publishing the survey results focusing on the trends in the selected answers for each question.

Additionally, the chart and graph materials can be used as citation materials when producing news reports and articles.

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■ Q1. Types of disasters that have a high probability of occurring in your area or that you have experienced in the past (multiple answers allowed)

The most common answer was "Earthquakes," followed by "Typhoons/Heavy Rains."

Earthquakes: 90.4%

Typhoons/Heavy Rains: 33%

Tsunamis: 10.6%

Other: 20.2%

■ Q2. Importance of evacuating together with dogs when a disaster occurs

Almost all respondents gave the highest rating, indicating that the importance of accompanied evacuation is recognized as extremely high.

Very important: 94.7%

Important: 2.7%

Normal: 1.1%

Low: 1.1%

■ Q3. Reasons for hesitating to go to an evacuation shelter with a beloved dog during a large-scale disaster (multiple answers allowed)

"Causing a nuisance to other evacuees (barking, shedding hair, etc.)" was the most common, revealing that owners' consideration for their surroundings acts as a psychological barrier to evacuation.

Causing a nuisance to other evacuees: 83.5%

Anxiety about the dog falling ill in an unfamiliar environment: 75.5%

Shortage of stockpiled food and water: 60.1%

Sanitary conditions of the evacuation shelter: 40.4%

■ Q4. The biggest concern regarding a beloved dog's "meals" during evacuation life

"Poor physical condition due to unfamiliar food" was the most common, showing that "peace of mind from their usual diet" is required precisely during an emergency.

Diarrhea and vomiting due to unfamiliar food: 42%

Decreased appetite due to stress: 28.7%

Obtaining meals that cater to allergies: 12.8%

■ Q5. "Most desired element" in stockpiled food during disasters

In addition to preservability, functionality such as "good palatability (appetite)" and "high nutritional value" is emphasized.

High palatability (appetite): 33.5%

Doubles as hydration: 29.8%

High nutrition and high protein: 16%

■ Q6. Level of awareness of evacuation sites that allow dogs to accompany them

While recognition of its importance is high, the answers "do not know the location" and "unsure how to use it" combined exceeded 90%, exposing the fact that information dissemination is potentially insufficient.

Do not know the location: 64.9%

Know the location but unsure how to use it: 27.7%

Specifically aware: 7.4%

■ Q7. Experience participating in drills or simulations for accompanied evacuation

While those with drill experience remain at only a few percent, the desire to "participate if there is an opportunity" resulted in being extremely high.

Have never participated (but want to participate): 67%

Have participated: 2.7%

In this survey, the following results were confirmed:

• 94.7% of owners answered "Important" regarding the importance of evacuating together with their dogs.

• During a large-scale disaster, owners' consideration for their surroundings acts as a psychological barrier to evacuation, making them hesitate to evacuate with their beloved dogs.

• Precisely during an emergency, "peace of mind from their usual diet" is required.

• Functionality such as "good palatability" and "high nutritional value" is required for stockpiled food during disasters.

• 64.9% of owners do not know the evacuation sites where dogs can accompany them.

• The participation rate in accompanied evacuation drills is extremely low at 2.7%.

Detailed data and chart materials of this survey's results are published on the special page below.

They can also be used as citation materials when producing news reports and articles.

▼ Special page for survey results (Kenko Inu Dayori)

https://kenko-dog.com/yomimono/bousaitaisakuanketo/

[Survey Overview]

Survey method: Internet questionnaire

Survey targets: Adult men and women who own dogs

Survey population: 194 men and women

Implementation date: March 9, 2026

Survey implementation body: Rita Foods Co., Ltd. "Kenko Inu Seikatsu" (https://kenko-dog.com/)

Kenko Inu Seikatsu Information Site: https://kenko-dog.com/yomimono/

[What is Kenko Inu Seikatsu?]

With the concept "Right in the middle of life, with your beloved dog forever," it is a brand that handles a wide range of products that can satisfy every corner of your life, from dog food and snacks mainly made of horse meat to care products and walking goods.

- The main product, the additive-free premium dog food "Baniku Shizen Zukuri"

　https://kenko-dog.com/products/dryfood/shizenzukuri/

- 100% horse thigh meat "Baniku Healthy Jerky"

　https://kenko-dog.com/products/oyatsu/baniku-jerky/

"Kenko Inu Seikatsu," which stays close to the owners' wish of being "with your beloved dog forever," delivers reliable health information and carefully selected, particular products with a discerning eye.

We value going beyond simple sales by having our staff sincerely respond to the small worries of each individual.

By providing support from both the "food" and "lifestyle" aspects, we will protect the health of your dogs, who are precious family members, and help make your everyday life with your beloved dog even richer and happier.

▼ Kenko Inu Seikatsu Information Site:
https://kenko-dog.com/yomimono/

[Company Profile]

Company Name: Rita Foods Co., Ltd.

Location: 5th Floor, SDK Kumamoto Building, 2-1-42 Tsuboi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture

Business Description: Mail-order sales business of premium dog food

[Contact Information Regarding This Matter]

RITA Group Holdings Co., Ltd.

Corporate Planning, Public Relations

TEL: 096-274-1001
MAIL: media_promotion_unit@ritagroup.co.jp