A few years ago, Nissan promoted an initiative called "Knock Knock Cats". Initially, it was aimed at winter when Japan's cold weather led stray cats to seek refuge inside cars. If a driver unknowingly started the engine, the hidden cats could face unfortunate consequences. Therefore, the campaign encouraged drivers to gently tap the hood before starting their cars to ensure any cats hiding inside would leave.
Through online sharing and promotion by netizens, the "Knock Knock Cats" initiative has achieved some success. Many people now tap their car hoods before driving, regardless of the season. Currently, Japan is in its rainy season, and cats often seek shelter inside cars to avoid the rain. According to recent statistics, Fukuoka Prefecture reported the highest number of cases, with 51 incidents accounting for about 20% of the total. Thus, it's crucial to be vigilant not just in winter but also on rainy days.
Regarding the "Knock Knock Cats" initiative, it's worth noting that cats seek warmth in cars during cold weather and shelter from rain during the rainy season. When checking, tapping the hood gently is important to avoid startling the cats, which might cause them to hide deeper. Although it may seem troublesome, you certainly wouldn't want to experience the unfortunate event of smelling something like roasted meat while driving. To prevent such incidents, there are several methods to check for cats, including gently tapping the hood without startling them and avoiding heavy tapping that might scare them further. Opening the hood for inspection is the most direct and effective method. In the past, some netizens have tapped the hood and then opened it to find cats still hiding inside, proving that simply tapping is not enough to prevent tragedies.
There have been cases where people tapped the hood but still heard meowing sounds. They stopped the car, opened the hood, and indeed found a cat inside, confirming the effectiveness of this method. We believe that everyone watching this loves animals, and while not everyone can take in stray pets, at least checking the engine compartment before driving can ensure that no cats are resting there.
