Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Japan's pet survivors face post-tsunami struggle
Breitbart ^ | 3-28-11

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 ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Japan; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: comfort; kittyping; pets; shelters; tsunami
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-43 next last
To: Emperor Palpatine

I have two Shibas...and I swear they are humans in a dog’s body. Just walking in the park this morning a woman came up to us and said “it looks like your dogs are smiling.””I said they are.” “They like to meet people.” BTW. The picture above appears to be three Shibas.
Bless their hearts and souls. I have been wondering about all those Shibas and other breeds without owners and homes.
All so very sad.


21 posted on 03/28/2011 2:31:05 PM PDT by free from tyranny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Biggirl

Nice story. Thanks.


22 posted on 03/28/2011 3:05:58 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Biggirl

Ohhhhhhh.....neat!!!


23 posted on 03/28/2011 3:12:54 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (Remember, Reflect, Renew: 2011, 10 years since 9/11. Never Forget.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: afraidfortherepublic

More rescue information here:

http://www.japancatnet.com/


24 posted on 03/28/2011 3:14:48 PM PDT by algernonpj (He who pays the piper . . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: humblegunner

I love the picture. He’s a cutie.


25 posted on 03/28/2011 3:39:22 PM PDT by carton253
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: carton253

He’s a great big ol’ Alpha Cat these days.


26 posted on 03/28/2011 3:41:46 PM PDT by humblegunner (Blogger Overlord)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: humblegunner

“DO NOT WANT BAFF!”


27 posted on 03/28/2011 3:59:25 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows (You can't have Ingsoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Joe 6-pack

Poor puppies!


28 posted on 03/28/2011 4:33:08 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: humblegunner

what a sweetie
lost my big orange cat last month....yours looks just like he did when he was little


29 posted on 03/28/2011 7:52:38 PM PDT by siamesecats (God closes one door, and opens another, to protect us.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Retired Greyhound
I know it's just one dog, but...

Hachiko

30 posted on 03/28/2011 9:06:43 PM PDT by GATOR NAVY ("The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen." -Dennis Prager)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Biggirl

Amen.


31 posted on 03/28/2011 11:14:56 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows (You can't have Ingsoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: EBH

My cats are booking a flight as I type this.


32 posted on 03/28/2011 11:15:45 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows (You can't have Ingsoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Berlin_Freeper

Mine does too!! Well the front door that has a handle rather than a round knob and the chain link gates. Mine is a german shephard and he is very smart.


33 posted on 03/29/2011 6:15:28 AM PDT by spitter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Slings and Arrows
I heard that 'cat island' over there-- survived the tsunami....thank GOD.
34 posted on 03/29/2011 6:29:46 AM PDT by Fawn (CANCER SUCKS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: GATOR NAVY
Beautiful story. I'd like to think that my dogs have similar regard for me.

Not to pooh-pooh it, but this passage stuck out at me: They brought Hachikō treats and food to nourish him during his wait.

Perhaps an additional reason why he continued to return.

35 posted on 03/29/2011 9:01:50 AM PDT by Retired Greyhound
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: TheOldLady

See post 17..

That’s mom’s Big Cat Edgrr when he was a kitten.


36 posted on 03/29/2011 10:27:35 AM PDT by humblegunner (Blogger Overlord)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: humblegunner

Oooh, precious baby! He certainly looks like a resourceful fellow.

Any relation to Malcolm?


37 posted on 03/29/2011 10:40:01 AM PDT by TheOldLady
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: TheOldLady; Eaker; TheMom
Any relation to Malcolm?

No, Edgrr was born in a woodpile at ex-wife's house near Dallas.

Malcolm & Lizzy came from the Eaker compound.

38 posted on 03/29/2011 11:06:54 AM PDT by humblegunner (Blogger Overlord)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: humblegunner; Eaker; TheMom

Yes, you all are lucky to have so many big orange tabbies because the consensus seems to be that they are about the best moggies to have.

I do love my Rocket though.


39 posted on 03/29/2011 11:21:09 AM PDT by TheOldLady
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: TheOldLady

Rocket Rocks!


40 posted on 03/29/2011 1:13:46 PM PDT by humblegunner (Blogger Overlord)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-43 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson