2019 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Encounters between Humans and Stray Cats in the Urban Environment: An Anthropological Study of Relationality through Touch
Project/Area Number |
19J20515
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Research Institution | Osaka University |
Principal Investigator |
ホワイト ケアラ シュエテナケット 大阪大学, 人間科学研究科, 特別研究員(DC1)
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Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-25 – 2022-03-31
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Keywords | multispecies ethnography / sensory infrastructures / TNR / community cats / human-animal studies |
Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
In order to study the relations and interactions between stray cats, community cats, and other cats living outside in urban spaces in the Kansai region and the humans who care for them, I began by establishing contact with NPOs, small groups, and individuals caring for outdoor cats in some capacity. In addition, I have explored local government ties with NPOs and other groups doing TNR in different parts of Osaka, Nara, Hyogo, and Kyoto. Through these contacts, I have been able to learn about several different schemes of TNR, caring for cats after sterilization, as well as associated challenges for the individuals and groups. Based on these contacts as well as observations, media capture, and interviews, I have presented preliminary results and related theoretical and methodological issues both within Japan and overseas at workshops and conferences. Based on this data collection, as well as data that will be collected in the next two years, I am preparing manuscripts for publication in international journals as well as conference presentations.
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Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
1: Research has progressed more than it was originally planned.
Reason
I have encountered several individuals and groups that have been enthusiastic about participating in this research. Also, the numbers of people who have connections and networks with other individuals and groups is greater than I had originally anticipated, which has led to more contacts and more cases to further explore. As I have gotten further into the field research, I have discovered more and more avenues to explore in the next two years of research.
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Strategy for Future Research Activity |
At the end of the last grant year, COVID-19 has become an increasing concern for continuing fieldwork face-to-face. Although at the time of writing this report the State of Emergency Declaration has been lifted, the possibility of infection among the human participants in my research remains, and care will need to be taken to resume fieldwork, including observations of TNR activities and other care of outdoors cats, as well as interviews. Most events in person within the community have been cancelled for the time being. However, more informative events are occurring online and there are digital methodologies to explore for continuing this research in the interim.
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Research Products
(4 results)