In the alleyways of Japan, there are small houses that almost no one notices. They are wooden, waterproof, and just the right size for a cat to curl up inside. They were not built by the government or any official organization — the neighbors themselves made them, voluntarily, so that stray and community cats have somewhere to shelter when the cold arrives or it starts to rain.
The practice is part of a culture of collective care for urban animals that is deeply rooted in several Japanese cities. Communities organize to place these shelters in strategic spots, making sure they are water-resistant and warm enough to protect the felines during the harshest winter nights.
It is a small gesture in size, but enormous in what it says about those who do it: that no living being that shares their street deserves to be left without a roof. 🐱