[Charity Team Activity Report] A Heartwarming Time with Rescue Dogs: Visit to the Office of ANRI (General Incorporated Association) (May 8, 2025)

On May 8, a group of seven, two Mrs. Universe 2025 representatives, three alumnae and two family members of participants, visited the office of ANRI (General Incorporated Association) in Osaka Prefecture, which carries out animal rescue activities and finds foster homes for animals.

The visit was a truly valuable opportunity to learn about the preciousness of life, including a reading of a picture book about rescue dogs written by ANRI’s representative, Monet, an overview of the current state of rescue work, and “before and after” stories of the rescued dogs. We also heard about the petition campaign they are running to change Japan’s current law, under which animals are treated as property.

We also had time to interact with the rescue dogs themselves. Each of us felt truly comforted and was reminded once again of how much animals mean to us. With both tears and smiles, a gentle feeling spread throughout the room.

The visit gave us the chance to think about what we can do now and what kind of support we want to aim for in the future.

Thank you so much, ANRI, for such a heartwarming time!

▶Participants’ comments and photos 

Sakura Hayashi, 2023 finalist

On the way home, my family and I talked about everything each of us had felt.

It made me think about so many things, and it hurt my heart to realize how much of this reality I simply didn’t know.

I was shocked at how disappointing Japan’s approach to animals is compared with other developed countries.

I hope many young people will hear about this.

I think it would be wonderful if we could take action on this through Mrs. Universe.

And I believe there are many things we can do.

I would love to use this connection to support Monet in any way I can… My contribution may be small, but I look forward to working with you. I also hope that those of us connected through Universe can do various things together in the Kansai region.

Thank you, and I look forward to our continued connection.

2025 finalist Kazuko Omukai

Thank you for today.

Hearing about Monet’s work, I found the way she works so hard for dogs and cats truly radiant.

I was also moved by the reading.

Learning about the situation of rescue dogs in detail made me want, once again, to help in some way. I look forward to working with you.

I have also had a dog since last year, and I will keep sharing my life with him and never forget to give him plenty of love.

Candy Azumaya, 2025 finalist

Thank you for such a moving talk.

I had a dog when I was a child. When my beloved dog gave birth, I, then in elementary school, watched the whole thing right in front of me. I also had a cat. They were so comforting and so cute. But sadly, I was always left with the question: why do they have to be separated from their mothers?

When I was little, my parents were hardly ever around. My mother was working overseas. I still feel that loneliness today…

Neither humans nor animals are objects… Putting them in a cage, feeding them and calling it done, then abandoning them when they are no longer wanted… Humans and animals both have life, and because they are alive, they feel… The only difference is that animals cannot speak! That is why we must protect them even more than humans… Whatever is done to them, they can never say a word; they are made to suffer, abused, and in the worst cases even killed… and it is humans who do it! I feel ashamed that, however much it hurts, I can’t do anything… I want to help animals even a little. I want to save as many animals as I can…

Because of my work I can’t keep a pet right now, but I want to do something for them in a different way. These days we can get and share information on social media. It should be possible to spread the word much further… Within my own means, I want to get involved in volunteering for rescued pets and help find new families where dogs and cats can be happy.

#AnimalWelfare #Volunteer #ANRI #Charity #BellissimaCharityTeam #SocialContribution #Osaka

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