By now, everyone has probably heard of the devastation that hit Japan March 11. It began with an 8.9 magnitude earthquake that spawned a deadly tsunami which slammed into the nation’s east coast. Thousands of people and animals are dead, missing, or injured. Japan is a country that loves pets, with 35% of households owning at least one animal.
Tens of thousands of people and animals have been evacuated, but several thousand animals have been left behind to fend for themselves. Rescuing these animals will be difficult, as many roads and transport links are unusable and disaster shelters will not accept animals. Several animal welfare groups have come together to launch a coordinated effort to help the animals, but they need your help.
Any amount that you can donate will go to these groups with the rescue efforts. No amount is small and any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated!
Organizations Dedicated to Helping:
World Vets – A non-government organization providing veterinary aid with the help of animal advocacy groups, military groups, and veterinary professionals. Accepting donations through their Fargo, ND headquarters
American Humane Association – A team monitoring the situation closely and reaching out to international partners to provide a joint response to this emergency.
Animal Refuge Kansai – An organization in Kansai, Japan that is preparing for a huge influx of animals from the disaster areas.
Note: Please add “For earthquake animals” to donations
Japan Cat Network – Formed (with others) the Japan Animal Rescue & Support, where they are providing frequent update of the rescue efforts on their fan page and have posted wish list items for in-country donations
They ask that you contact them before shipping anything from overseas
Fifty nine-year-old Makoto Nakamura and his dog walk together to look for his missing wife Isako in midst of debris in coastal city of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, northern Japan, 16 March 2011, five days after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit Japan. EPA/DAI KUROKAWA
By Mario Vedder, dapd, via AP Search and rescue dog Pia waits with members of the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief to board a plane to Japan near near Lautzenhausen, Germany, on Saturday.
By Kazuki Wakasugi, The Yomiuri Shimbum, via AP A rescuer uses a dog to look for people in the rubble in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, in northern Japan on Saturday.
A dog being rescued from a collapsed building
(in our research, it is unclear if this photo is from the 3/11 tragedy or the Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17th 1995)
A rescue group on its way to the more hard hit areas in Sendai.
They packed a van full of supplies (pet food, kennels, leashes, and capturing equipment.)
A woman and her dog being scanned for radiation at a temporary shelter after the quake damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant Wednesday, March 16, 2011, in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.
Thanks to everyone who is able to help! Our thoughts are with the animals out there still suffering, and we will update this page as new events unfold.
Tens of thousands of people and animals have been evacuated, but several thousand animals have been left behind to fend for themselves. Rescuing these animals will be difficult, as many roads and transport links are unusable and disaster shelters will not accept animals. Several animal welfare groups have come together to launch a coordinated effort to help the animals, but they need your help.
