Introduction
The corporation THE WHY HOW DO COMPANY, headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, has begun an innovative project titled "笑にゃん日和Catchu The Future". In partnership with its wholly owned subsidiary, WHDC Acrodea, and the newly established Dream Planet, which will become a subsidiary in September 2024, this initiative seeks to facilitate sustainable support for organizations dedicated to cat rescue.
The Project Goals
The principal aim of this project is to provide direct economic support to cat rescue organizations through the purchase of their original merchandise. By setting up capsule toy vending machines in open shelters, the initiative not only sells unique goods from participating organizations but also encourages collaboration among them, creating a robust support network for cat rescue. Furthermore, merchandise from this project will also be offered at existing capsule toy retail locations operated nationwide by Dream Planet, extending the reach of cat rescue efforts to a wider audience and fostering empathy and participation within the community. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Animal Fund's public foundation to support the "Sakura Cat TNR" initiative, which focuses on improving the lives of feral cats.
Challenges in Cat Rescue and Corporate Responsibility
The current cat rescue activities often rely on individual efforts, leading to issues such as hoarding situations and donation fraud becoming social problems. The Catchu The Future initiative aims to solve these challenges by having companies engage with transparency and expertise to uphold the integrity of on-site operations and build public trust.
Building Partnerships
This project fosters deep connections with the organizations and individuals who have historically supported cat rescue initiatives based on trust and empathy. It emphasizes respect for each organization’s autonomy by establishing clear guidelines to maximize support aligned with each entity's operational policies and unique activity styles. Continuous dialogue and monitoring will ensure that the focus remains on the original purpose of "saving lives" rather than merely pursuing profit.
Ensuring Healthy Operations
Dream Planet will regularly visit the facilities where the vending machines are set up to check the cleanliness and health of the cats, ensuring that these facilities operate in a healthy manner. They will collaborate with WHDC Acrodea and other group companies when necessary to develop support structures aimed at solving any identified issues.
Bridging Community Cat Initiatives and Rescue Efforts
Both community cat initiatives (TNR) and cat rescue efforts face the pressing challenge of how to protect the lives and living conditions of homeless cats. Nevertheless, many current initiatives struggle due to lack of community understanding, limitations in institutional support, and an overwhelming burden placed on individuals, complicating the sustainability of these efforts. This project aspires to reshape this situation by collaborating with businesses, organizations, and community members to establish a societal support system that shares and addresses challenges associated with cat rescue and community cat initiatives at large. By nurturing a community of like-minded individuals, the initiative aims for a society where both humans and cats can live together happily.
Expanding the Support Network
The initiative also includes consultations on facility management, providing business advice, and matching with corporate CSR activities, thereby constructing a new ecosystem for cat rescue support.
WHDC Acrodea's Commitment to Rescue Initiatives
WHDC Acrodea operates primarily in the IT solutions sector for B2B, embodying the mission to "turn ideas into reality" as part of the Why How Do group. The foundation of their activities lies in creating value that transcends profit. As a subsidiary of a publicly traded company, they emphasize transparency and responsible actions as members of society. Their commitment to cat rescue initiatives also forms part of this ethos. They strive to determine and manifest what is truly valuable for society, taking action in support of life-saving efforts in a manner distinct from traditional business pursuits.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Catchu The Future project represents a significant step towards establishing a society where animals, particularly cats, and humans can coexist harmoniously. By effectively marrying corporate responsibility with community efforts, this initiative sets the stage for a sustainable and impactful future for cat rescue and animal protection.