Japan's latest nursing home goes to the dogs

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Japan's latest nursing home goes to the dogs

Thu Jun 14, 12:40 PM ET

 

As Japan grapples with a rapidly ageing population, the country is set to open

the first nursing home for another growing group of seniors -- dogs.

 

The new business opening Friday will offer the same type of nursing services

available to humans but also exercise and physical therapy tailored towards

canine seniors.

 

The facility in Tochigi prefecture north of Tokyo can accept 20 dogs at a time

for a monthly cost of about 100,000 yen (820 dollars) each.

 

" It is extremely cruel to force people who think of pets as their own children

to care for animals who are crying all night long, " said Takao Kanai of Soladi

Co., which runs the joint venture with the Endo Veterinary Clinic.

 

Many pet owners have full-time jobs, meaning it is hard for them to care for

pets with special needs, he said.

 

" In addition, pet owners who live in condominiums often won't be able to keep

their pets because of complaints by their neighbours over the noises that aged

dogs make at night, " he said.

 

Soladi Co. seeks to open a total of seven such nursing homes across Japan in the

coming three years.

 

The Japanese are known for their love of dogs, with businesses flourishing in

cities that offer everything from massage to spas for canine companions.

 

Japan's human population is also rapidly ageing due to the country's famous

longevity and a dwindling birthrate among young people -- some of whom would

rather have dogs than children.