Posted on 03/28/2011 1:37:55 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Hungry, hurt and separated from owners who are either dead or in evacuation centres, hundreds of family pets are struggling to survive in the desolation of Japan's tsunami-ravaged northeast coast. Among the many rescue teams sent from around the world to search for survivors and bodies after Japan's worst natural disaster for nearly a century, a handful of specialised animal rescue groups have also been at work.
In the days immediately after the March 11 tsunami that wiped out dozens of thriving coastal towns, the prospects looked grim.
"In the hardest hit areas, we saw no animal life whatsoever," said Ashley Fruno, from animal rights group PETA.
"We did see some paw prints in the mud at one point, but they didn't lead anywhere, and we could not find any animals nearby."
Slowly but surely, however, abandoned pets began to emerge, often from damaged homes where they had managed to ride out the destructive force of the tsunami.
Many pet owners left their cats and dogs when the tsunami warning sounded, never imagining that the wave would be as large and powerful as it eventually was.
The animals were left to fend for themselves in a hostile environment with no food or fresh water.
Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support (JEARS), a hastily assembled coalition of animal welfare groups, has spent the last two weeks searching what's left of the worst-hit coastal towns.
The teams, which include several volunteer vets, provide food and treatment for injured animals and try to find temporary shelters for those that have lost their owners.
They also visit evacuation centres where those people who escaped the tsunami with their pets are having trouble holding on to them in difficult, cramped surroundings where animals are not always welcome.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Veterinarian Yuzou Taguchi, head of Green Animal Hospital, feeding a pet dog at a temporary animal shelter centrein Miyako, Iwate Prefecture. Among the many rescue teams sent from around the world to search for survivors and bodies after Japan's worst natural disaster for nearly a century, a handful of specialised animal rescue groups have also been at work.
Dog and Cat ping
It appears the Japanese hold animals, especially dogs, in higher esteem than other Asians who are as likely to put them in a pot as pat them on the head.
OHHH Poor babies
My dog opens doors including the front door if I don’t keep it locked.
I would adopt one but the language barrier bothers me.
Bump
I blogged on a cat that survived the earthquake/tsunami. Here is the article from March 22, 2011. :)=^..^=
http://annem040359.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/cat-who-survives-earthquake-tsunami-found-saf/
Two of the greatest dog breeds came from Japan.
The Akita and the Shiba Inu. My Tojo is a mix of both...and he’s an awesome dog.
Animal Emergency Bug Out Kit:
1. Five gallon bucket with sealable air tight lid. Available at Home Depot, Leows, etc. About $6.00.
2. At least 3 days worth of chow for your pal.
3. Copies of current vaccination records. Note the word “current”.
4. Food and water dishes.
5. A couple of small toys to occupy your pal.
6. Fluffy blanket for your pal.
7. Any required meds your pal may need.
Place all inside bucket and seal it up tight. Write the rotation/expiration/vaccination dates on a calendar and make sure you keep all the info updated. If the crap hits the fan all you have to do is grab the bucket and toss it in the car and go.
L
Probably because PETA members finished them all off themselves.
Here’s hoping that they find all the survivors and reunite as many as possible with their humans.
1. The non-profit group Animal Refuge Kensai (ARK), which has facilities in Tokyo and Osaka, is accepting as many animals affected by the quake as they can — but they need funds to care for them and find them homes. You can donate to their efforts via your Pay Pal account.
2. The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation of Ojai, Calif., has deployed six pairs of disaster search teams to find survivors in Ofunato City, Japan, all at the cost of $15,000 per pair. Help them continue their lifesaving work by donating.
3. Three animal welfare groups in Japan (the HEART-Tokushima, Animal Garden Niigata and Japan Cat Network) have joined forces to help rescue animals and provide shelter space and care for animals in crisis following the disaster. The coalition is called the Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue, and they’ve raised over $27,000 so far. Join their Facebook group and donate to keep their efforts going.
4. The U.S.-based non-profit, American Humane, set up a relief fund after the disaster. Your donation to them will help shelter and care for displaced animals.
5. World Vets is currently coordinating relief efforts for the animal victims in Japan. They’re sending supplies and preparing a group of first-responders to provide immediate aid on the ground — but they still need your help to make it all happen. Donate any amount via their website.
6. The Animal Miracle Foundation & Network has set up a fund that will be used to send supplies to animal rescue groups who are saving lives in Japan. “Like” their group on Facebook and donate.
Animals adapt quickly. I have a lot of experience working with them.
Dogs tend to mourn for about three days and then move on, and while they can recognize people and other animals years later, they probably don’t miss their masters all that much at this point three weeks later.
I’m a bleeding heart animal lover. I have five dogs and four cats, all rescues. I hate to see or know of an animal in distress.
May more of these animal companions be reunited with their human companions. :)=^..^=
After some editing work to fix one word:
http://annem040359.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/cat-who-survives-earthquake-tsunami-found-safe/
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.