To support animals affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, breeder Asami Hazawa from Odate City, Akita Prefecture, has started selling tote bags (photo) featuring illustrations of Akita dogs. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Ishikawa Prefectural Veterinary Association. Orders will be accepted until the end of April.
After the earthquake, Ms. Hazawa’s friend, who visited the affected area to volunteer, told her about the shortage of dog food, pet sheets, and other animal supplies. This motivated Ms. Hazawa to help the animals suffering through this difficult time in any way she could.
The tote bags are priced at 1,500 yen each. Donations exceeding this amount are also welcomed. The bags feature illustrations of Kira, a 12-year-old female Akita dog owned by Ms. Hazawa, and come in two different designs. Purchases of two or more bags come with an Akita dog key chain and a clear file holder produced by the Akita Dog Preservation Society (headquartered in Odate City).
Orders can be placed through direct messages on Ms. Hazawa’s X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts, both under @kirachanfamily.
The Akita Inu Kaikan, the headquarters of the Preservation Society, will also start selling the bags. Ms. Hazawa said, “While each of us may have little power alone, together, we can make a difference. I would like to ask for everyone’s cooperation.”
