Pet Subsidy/Subsidy Navigation|All the knowledge you need to lighten your cost burden wisely (including comparison of Shibuya Ward and 23 wards)

Pet Health and Care

Everyday life with your beloved family dog or cat. Parents are always eager to do whatever they can to protect the irreplaceable happiness of their beloved dogs and cats.

But have you ever been in a veterinary hospital waiting room and gasped when you saw your statement?

I want to do the best for my child. But to be honest, it's a bit difficult to pay this much money..." "What if he needs a major surgery...? Is there really no public support?

In order to respond to the earnest wishes of such owners, Japan has a variety ofPet-related grants and subsidiesexists.

These are not just financial support. They are an important mechanism for us and our pets, with a warm message of "Let's support the happy lives of responsible pet owners and their pets throughout society.

If you read this article all the way through, you will have a clear and organized picture of the whole system, which seems complicated, for you and your beloved pets.What You Can Do Now."will be found specifically.

📝 What you will get out of this article

  • Find out about grants in your area: A thorough explanation of Shibuya Ward and a comparison chart of Tokyo's 23 wards to help you understand specific amounts and conditions at a glance.
  • Learn about diverse support systems.The program covers: spay/neuter as well as microchipping and support for protection activities.
  • No more failed applications.The "four ironclad rules" that are often overlooked and how to make sure the system is utilized.
  • Understand the background of the systemThe more you know about why support is available and what it means, the smarter and more proactive you can be in taking advantage of the system!

🗾 Regional Grant Programs

The most familiar and most likely to be used by many.Subsidies for spay/neuter surgeries."The In fact, the contents vary widely depending on your municipality.

Let us take a closer look at the details using "Shibuya Ward" as a model case.

Shibuya Ward's generous support system

Shibuya Ward has a generous subsidy program for domesticated cats in order to ensure the proper care of cats and to prevent the birth of unwanted lives.

💰 Shibuya Ward Subsidies

Subjects:. Healthy cats over 6 months old whose owners reside in Shibuya Ward and are kept in the ward.

Amount of grant: $50,000

  • Female cat (sterilized):. 7,000 yen up to
  • Male cat (neutered):. 5,000 yen up to

Application points:.

  • No need to go to the ward office! You can apply directly to the "Shibuya Ward Cooperating Veterinarian" veterinary hospital and complete the application process on the spot!
  • You will need your personal seal (inkan) to apply. Do not forget it!
  • All you have to do is pay the amount of the subsidy deducted from the cost of the surgery at the veterinary clinic. It is simple and easy to understand!

⚠️ Please note

As of 2025, Shibuya Ward has not established a subsidy program for spaying and neutering dogs. This is thought to be because the ward considers the "cat overpopulation problem" to be a more pressing issue and is concentrating its resources on it.

Tokyo 23 Wards Comparison Chart

As you can see from the example of Shibuya Ward, subsidies really vary from municipality to municipality. How about your area? Here is a comparison of some wards in Tokyo.

Shinagawa Ward
male cat
8,000 yen
female cat
16,000 yen
🏆 Top class generosity in cooperation with the Veterinary Medical Association!
Setagaya Ward
male cat
4,000 yen
female cat
8,000 yen
The Veterinary Medical Association topped up the grant.
Shinjuku Ward
male cat
2,500 yen
female cat
4,000 yen
Up to ¥25,000 in unbreakable support for ownerless cats
Nerima Ward
male cat
1,500 yen
female cat
3,000 yen
Application conditions include "no delinquent ward taxes".
Harbour Ward (e.g. in Tokyo)
male cat
17,000 yen
female cat
25,000 yen
Dedicated to TNR activities. Reimbursement method

*The above is an example as of June 2025. Amounts and conditions are subject to change, so please be sure to check the official website of each municipality for the latest information.

🔬 PetAirJPN expert column: why does it make such a difference in municipalities?

Looking at this comparison chart, do you ask yourself the simple question, "Why is there such a difference in where I live?" and "Why are there so many differences in where you live?

This is largely due to the prioritization of issues faced by each municipality. For example, regions that receive a large number of cat-related consultations tend to provide more generous subsidies to cats, including promotion of TNR activities*.

Another important factor is the strength of cooperation with local veterinary medical associations. There are excellent examples, such as Shinagawa and Setagaya wards, where veterinary associations provide subsidies on top of the ward system, further reducing the burden on pet owners.

Your city's system is like a mirror that reflects "how the community is dealing with pets". If you look at it from a slightly different perspective, you may discover something new.

TNR activities: Trap (capture), Neuter (spay/neuter), and Return (return to their original location). It is a worldwide effort to properly manage ownerless cats and prevent their further increase.

For the latest subsidy information in your area, please check the official website of your municipality or feel free to contact us.

🎯 Purpose-Built Support Programs

Grants are not limited to spay/neuter only. A wide range of assistance exists to keep pets safe and to help as many shelter animals as possible find new families.

Assistance with microchipping

Lost, stolen, disaster, theft.... In the event of an emergency, the lifeline that connects you and your pet ismicrochipThe importance of this is increasing year by year in Japan as well. In most countries, it is mandatory to wear them when traveling abroad, and their importance is increasing year by year in Japan as well.

Programs to subsidize the cost of this installation are also spreading throughout the country.

💾 Type of microchip grant

Direct Subsidy Type (e.g. Machida City, Tokyo)

After being fitted at a designated veterinary hospital, the applicant can apply to the city for a subsidy of up to 2,000 yen (reimbursement payment).

Hugging assistance type (e.g., Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture)

If a microchip is installed "at the same time" as spay/neuter surgery, 7,500 yen will be subsidized for the set.

Type supported by veterinary medical associations (e.g., Setagaya Ward, Tokyo)

For "ownerless cats" eligible for ward subsidies, the Setagaya Ward Veterinary Medical Association inserts microchips free of charge (* registration fee to be paid by the owner).

Even if you cannot find any direct subsidies in your local government, your local veterinary medical association may have its own limited-time campaign. Please ask your veterinary clinic, "Is there any subsidy campaign for microchipping?" Please ask your local veterinary clinic if they have any microchip subsidies.

The following article explains microchipping in detail.

Support for shelter dogs and cats

Behind our ability to safely adopt shelter dogs and cats as new families are volunteer groups and individuals who continue their dedicated activities, and grants that financially support their precious activities.

🏠 Support Programs for Protection Activities

Nationwide support: "Satoyasagashi Grant" from the Animal Welfare Foundation
  • This program supports organizations and individuals who act as "bridges" to bring dogs and cats out of public health centers and into new families.
  • Amount of grant: $3,000,000 7,000 yen per dog and cat
  • Points: 1. The new owners do not receive this money directly. However, because of this support, the shelter is able to provide appropriate initial medical care (sterilization, vaccines, etc.) and then send the animal off to a new family with peace of mind!
Generous support for local volunteers: examples from Meguro and Toshima wards
  • Meguro-ku, Tokyo: Tokyo, Japan The program provides registered volunteers with subsidies of up to 100,000 yen per animal for temporary protection (including medical expenses, vaccines, microchips, etc.) and up to 30,000 yen per animal for holding a transfer event.
  • Toshima-ku, Tokyo: Japan Provides support to registered organizations for up to 60 days for medical expenses for protected dogs and cats.

These programs clearly demonstrate society's growing awareness of animal welfare. It is a powerful encouragement to those who are working on the front lines to save lives.

⚖️ The Iron Law of Grant Applications

I'm so glad we have this system, but I accidentally forgot to use it..."
To avoid such a sad situation, there are some common rules that you should definitely keep in mind when using the grant.

  1. Application first, surgery later
    This is most important. Most systems will not accept any application "after" the surgery or procedure has been performed. Be sure to apply in advance to the local government or organization and receive an "OK" notice (e.g., an approval letter) before proceeding with veterinary hospital appointments, etc.
  2. Double check deadlines and conditions
    Check due dates:. There are various "deadlines" for when applications can be submitted, when surgeries must be performed, and when completion reports must be requested.
    Check conditions:. Be sure to check the official website or contact office for detailed requirements, such as "whether the cat lives in the area," "whether the cat is in arrears with taxes," and "whether the cat is owned by the owner or is ownerless."
  3. Documents and procedures are complete.
    Confirmation of designated hospitals:. In most cases, the procedure must be performed at a "cooperating veterinarian" or "designated veterinary hospital." Check the list in advance and tell them you want to use the subsidy when you make an appointment.
    Preparation of required documents:. The key to a smooth process is to have all the required documents, including the application form as well as receipts (showing items) and veterinarian's certificates, without any deficiencies.
  4. know that the first to arrive first wins
    Many grants have a set budget for each fiscal year. Therefore, applications will be closed as soon as the budget limit is reached, even in the middle of the fiscal year. The secret to success is to start acting as soon as possible after deciding to use the grant.

💡 Tips for success

The biggest key to applying for grants is to "act early". If you apply at the beginning of the fiscal year (April to June), there is more room in the budget and you are more likely to be approved. In addition, you may be able to use a combination of multiple programs, so do not hesitate to consult with the office.

📋 Summary

We have looked at the various grant programs that support living with pets. It may have seemed a bit complicated, but the important points are very simple.

✅ What you can do now

  • First, check the official website of your municipality (e.g., Health and Sanitation Section, Life Sanitation Section, etc.) or call them directly!
  • Then, when you find a system that is available, start acting systematically and early!
  • Your veterinary clinic is also a powerful source of community-based information.

These programs are a warm support from society to help you and your beloved pet's life. Persistently gathering information and utilizing them wisely is a sign of your deep love and responsibility for your pets.

If you have any questions about the Pet Grant, please feel free to contact us. Our professional staff will be happy to assist you.

And just as there are institutions that support our daily lives, there are professionals in the field for the special life event of crossing borders.

Moving abroad with pets. It is a big project that brings both joy and great anxiety at the same time.
Where do I start with the complicated quarantine process?"
'What's the safest, least stressful way for my child to get around?'
How much should I be looking at in terms of cost and preparation time?"

If the role of the local government is to support your daily life, you and your precious familyA Special Journey Across the BorderPetAirJPN's mission is to provide full support for

Our expert consultants, with thousands of cases of experience, will carefully respond to each of your concerns, based on their veterinary knowledge. We are here to make you and your precious family's new challenge the best, most reliable, and heartwarming memory anywhere.

First of all, we are happy to discuss any matter, no matter how trivial. Please tell us your story.

📚 About this Article

This article is based on information as of June 2025. Grant programs are subject to change due to local government budgets and policies, so please be sure to check the official website of each municipality or contact them directly for the latest information.

Risako Seto|PetAirJPN Business Manager, Pet International Transportation Specialist

She has loved animals since she was a child, and her desire to "protect the lives of animals" led her to become a pet nurse. Currently, she is using her experience as an international pet transportation specialist and business manager of PetAirJPN to support many pets and their families to relocate or travel abroad.
We help owners fulfill their wish to "be with their pets, their precious family members, no matter where they are in the world. We strive to provide a transportation plan that is as stress-free as possible, according to the personality and physical condition of each individual pet. We will support you wholeheartedly so that both you and your pet can start a new life with peace of mind.

[Qualifications]
pet nurse
Animal Health Technician (AHT)
Veterinary Technician (VT)

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