[xXRockerGuyXx]

[TwistedPrincess]

The dogs were recently videotaped by a news crew from Fuji TV and the video was posted on YouTube. Both dogs were found alive in Mito, Ibarak, a city on Japan's eastern coast, northeast of Tokyo. The two dogs were rescued, thanks to the efforts of Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support. The dogs were first taken to a vet clinic in Mito and then to a shelter in the same area.


While rescue workers continue to search for and assist human survivors a week after Japan's devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami, animal welfare groups are working around the clock to find food, shelter and medicine for the country's animals.

Sadly, despite the tireless efforts by the international and local animal rescuers on the ground, there have been few signs of animal life in the areas closest to the disaster.

"It seems that most animals in the hardest hit areas did not survive the tragedies," said Susan Mercer of Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support.

The nonprofit group, a coalition of three local animal welfare organizations, including HEART-Tokushima, Animal Friends Niigata and Japan Cat Network, is dedicated to helping the animals affected by the tragedy.

"They only saw paw prints left behind in the mud that led to nowhere," Mercer said, of the animal rescuers who traveled this week to the country's most devastated regions. As the days go by, the chance of finding human or animal survivors becomes increasingly slim.

Many survivors of the earthquake and tsunami who lost everything have been forced to give up their beloved pets while they rebuild their lives.

And rescue groups are being flooded with pleas from foreigners who have been advised to leave the country due to a nuclear threat and cannot take their animals with them.

Most of the country's animal shelters are already overwhelmed.

Echoing the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many survivors have refused to part with their animals. A woman spotted walking aimlessly with her collie amid the rubble and devastation last week told rescuers she refused to seek shelter without her dog.

"She told them she had stayed in her shaking house for three days because some evacuation centers were not allowing pets," Mercer said.

Animal Rescue Corps estimates that up to 92,000 companion animals may have been affected. That does not include strays, wildlife and livestock.

The rescue efforts are made all the more difficult as gas is scarce and supplies and resources are increasingly thin the farther west rescuers travel. Unfortunately, the most devastated towns and the areas within the radiation evacuation zone are feared to have the most animals needing rescue.

Please consider donating to the following groups that are in desperate need of funds for supplies and assistance:



Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support. Those who wish may donate by paypal to donate@jears.org or at japanearthquakeanimalrelief.chipin.com/japan-earthquake-animal-rescue-and-support. For updates, visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Japan-...07835229228979.


World Vets, www.worldvets.org., an international veterinary group based in the U.S. has deployed a group to assist with medical needs. Donations will go toward mobilizing supplies, gear and a first responder team.


Animal Refuge Kansai is a rescue group located in the western region of Japan and is assisting with rescue efforts. Donate by paypal at www.arkbark.net.

[Hugh Jardon]

[Eaton]

Not a fucking thing in life means more than a friend. Nothing.

[AK47pup]

Too bad most humans aren't that loyal in certain situations.