How To Help Japan’s Pets (Find Animal Rescues)

March 22, 2011

[NOTE: Donate to Global Animal Foundation, the non-profit charity arm of Global Animal. Your tax-deductible donation will be distributed to the below listed vetted and reputable rescue organizations on the ground in Japan saving animals. Our foundation's mission is to provide a safe place for  donors to send money, avoiding fraudulent non-profits, which were rampant after Katrina. We are updating this page as additional substantiated resources become available to aid lost and injured animals in Japan. Thank you! Global Animal]

Man (on left) with tears tightly hugs his rescued pet dog. On right, Sendai city firefighter. Japanese caption translation provided by: Kirsten Ernst for Global Animal.

 

A woman with her pet dog and belongings pauses on the way from her devastated home in the same city Photo credit: AP Photo, Yomiuri Shimbun

Here at Global Animal, we believe that helping injured and displaced pets is a profound and direct way to support the people of Japan. Of course, aiding animals is in addition to, not instead of, assisting people; suggesting it’s one or the other is obviously a false choice.

Losing a pet in a disaster is a trauma that doesn’t easily heal, if at all. Hurricane Katrina is a reminder of the anguish suffered by residents who were forced to flee without their four-legged family members. And many refused, sometimes to their ultimate peril. That is the bond between people and animals. Japan is a nation of pets, with about 35 percent of Japanese caring for dogs and cats in their homes, as well as birds and rabbits, which are also popular pets. To honor this relationship by helping the pets in Japan is to help people. All of us who are animal lovers can relate to what it would feel like to be reunited with a pet after a disaster. The images here cut to the heart.

Much is lost for many, yet much can be replaced. But the love shared between people and their pets is irreplaceable, particularly now, when it’s needed most. Please consider supporting the efforts of Global Animal Foundation and/or the agencies listed below. – Leah Lessard Jeon, Global Animal

 

 

 

 

Rescue workers pull a small dog from rubble in the wake of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami. Photo: Associated Press.

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HOW TO DONATE:

Global Animal Foundation, the non-profit charity arm of Global Animal, is collecting donations on behalf of Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support and other established rescue organizations on the ground.  Donate  here or through the animal rescues below:

Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support:

Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support is a  coalition of three groups — HEART-Tokushima, Animal Garden Niigata, and Japan Cat Network. They have united to provide shelter, rescue, and an exchange of information for animals of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami. These groups have been rescuing and rehoming animals in Japan for many years. Funds will be used directly for animal rescue and support of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami. They have a strict no-kill policy for all the pets they rescue.

Contact information for the three united groups:

HEART-Tokushima Prefecture
HEART is prepared to receive rescued animals, working closely with Japan Cat Network and Animal Friends Niigata to save as many as possible. Niigata, closest to stricken areas, will be the base of operations. We are going out to distribute food and water and make an initial assessment. Check for updates on Facebook.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
ph: 088-635-5558
Susan Mercer: susan@heart-tokushima.com
Earthquake Blog
770-8691 • Tokushima Central Post Office, Box 114

Animal Friends Niigata
Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support are setting up an emergency operation center at Animal Friends Niigata.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Isabella Gallaon-Aoki, Founder • ph: 090-4624-3301
email: afniigata@yahoo.co.jp
950-2021 • 1430 Fusube Nishikan-ku Niigata-shi Niigata • Animal Garden Niigata

Japan Cat Network
We are currently working with two other no-kill organizations on plans to get animals to safety, and have begun to help people with pets in crisis. We need volunteers willing to provide foster care, animal transport, expanded shelter capacity, and funds or materials for rescue/rehabilitation.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
ph: 080-3067-9394; 090-6058-8102; 090-8534-2646
email: sharon@japancatnet.com, englishcenter@docomo.ne.jp,
japancatnet1dw@softbank.ne.jp, japancatnet2sr@softbank.ne.jp5

Donations can also be made to Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support through Chip-in:

http://japanearthquakeanimalrelief.chipin.com/japan-earthquake-animal-rescue-and-support

When you get to Chip-in’s Paypal page, you can change to English via a drop down menu on the upper right side of the page.

Animal Relief Kansai
ARK Chairman Elizabeth Oliver confirms that access to hard hit areas like Tohoku/Sendai is limited. ARK is preparing for a huge influx of injured, homeless animals of the Tohoku-Pacific earthquake… Thousands of people aredead or missing and animals in the path of the tsunami likely perished. In this rural area most dogs would have been chained, unable to escape. We are very concerned about pets left in homes near the nuclear power plant in Fukushima. It is unclear how many could accompany their guardians at evacuation centres. Others in centres have lost everything and will probably have to give up their pets too. Tokyo ARK, along with foster homes, can take in some animals. Osaka Ark can accept animals flown in, once airports reopen. ARK’s Nose Shelter is prepared to accept animals. ARK may also build a temporary shelter in Sasayama (40-minute drive from ARK).

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ANIMAL RELIEF KANSAI (ARK):
 Osaka ARK
ph: 072-737-0712 (1885) 10:00-17:00
email: ark@arkbark.net
595 Noma Ohara, Nose-cho, Toyono-gun, Osaka-fu 563-0131 JAPAN


 Tokyo ARK
ph: 050-1557-2763
email: tokyoark@arkbark.net
Tokyo Office is in Ota Ward, Tokyo. Contact by phone or email.

Kinship Circle is a non-profit organization that puts volunteers on the ground in Japan, and around the world, helping animals in need during natural disasters. They were one of the first organizations on the ground and have been working closely with Japan Earthquake Animal Relief & Support.

Japan SPCA (Nippon SPCA) is taking in lost animals at their shelter as well as organizing and contributing to relief efforts. They have set up a PayPal fund for donations. A donation of 2000 yen is equal to about $25US.

The National Disaster Search Dog Foundationis a non-profit, FEMA-certified agency that searches for survivors in the wreckage of catastrophic events such as the one is Japan. NDSDF has already deployed six Canine Disaster Search Teams to respond to the current crisis; each task force is made up of approximately 72 members, including both humans and Urban Search and Rescue dogs, and some 75 tons of rescue equipment. To learn more and/or send a donation, click National Disaster Search Dog Foundation for their website.

WORLD VETS ON FACEBOOK: Japan, World Vets Disaster Relief for Animals
World Vets has sent volunteers with veterinary supplies to provide assistance to animals impacted by Japan’s earthquake/tsunami.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR WORLD VETS:

ph: 1 877-688-8387 • email:info@worldvets.org, trips@worldvets.org

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO MAKE CALLS (especially Japanese speakers):

To help in another crucial way, volunteer to make phone calls to shelters in Japan and find out what supplies they need to care for their animals. Fill in your results on the open grid link below that connects shelters with Rescue Organizations distributing supplies in Japan.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AqVJBQipS1N5dDE5NXlWYWdaUFh1NmRvdGZYQW00d1E&authkey=CMTiwuYL&hl=en#gid=17

When you call please identify yourself as a concerned citizen who loves animals and understands it has been very difficult for the people with pets and you would like to find out what they need in terms of supplies, food, crates, medical, shelter space, foster homes, etc. Once you speak with them and learn what they need please write those notes down in column I.  Be sure to mark the date of this update in column J so we don’t call again too soon. Any additional notes can go in column K. If you have any questions, write to Kinship Circle’s Social Media Director, Kate Danahar: Kate Danaher katedanaher@animalearthhuman.org

 

A man carries his dog in the city of Ofunato on March 15, 2011. Rescue teams from the US, Britain and China began assisting in the search for survivors following the devasting earthquake and ensuing tsunami on March 11. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

 

RELATED ARTICLES:

Global Animal Readers Donate $27,000 To Japan Animal Rescue

April Brings More Animal Rescue Success In Japan


Dazed Animals Still Found In Empty Japanese Cities


Two-Legged Heroes For Japan’s Animals (Gallery)

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The checklist every pet guardian needs:

Be Prepared: Emergency Plan For Your Pets

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68 Responses to How To Help Japan’s Pets (Find Animal Rescues)

  1. Rei March 18, 2011 at 9:24 am #

    Just donated $25USD..urging all the people to give something. Let’s help this helpless small victims.

  2. pankaj vats March 18, 2011 at 7:08 am #

    hey i love pets ,i want a pet ,if it is possible thn tell me ,wat should i do ?

  3. TWasabi March 17, 2011 at 11:41 pm #

    It’s so wonderful so many people gathering together to help. If you have children and you want to help them donate to help Japan to help the people and the animals. Here is a website that is cute for kids and once you help them find a trusted charity on this site to donate to, they can go back to the cute things on the site so they are not so devastated in the earthquake/tsunami situation. Especially if your kids are very emotional or confused. http://www.childrendonate2.org

  4. Anne-Marie March 17, 2011 at 10:12 pm #

    …

    There is so much more than just cats and dogs. Of course, the typical people will think about them mostly and firstly.

    But let not forget the animals that are supposed to be free to roam the earth: the seabirds (over 1000 of them are dead, more to discover), the whales, the fishes…

    [ sentence here removed by GlobalAnimal.org admin.]
    But if there is some people that are helping the wildlife animals, I will help and raise even more help.

    • SeEtta Moss March 17, 2011 at 11:28 pm #

      Anne-Marie: I care deeply about wildlife but your remark about not giving ‘a penny for a dog’ was uncalled for, unnecessary and quite cruel. Shame on you.

      • Anne Marie March 17, 2011 at 11:50 pm #

        I DID NOT POST THAT! I RESCUED A 5LB MALTIPOO NFROM THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. ALL I DID WAS REGISTER AND THAT COMMENT WAS ON HERE. NOTICE I DO NOT USE THE HYPHEN.

    • Anne Marie March 17, 2011 at 11:46 pm #

      There is a comment on this site saying I would not give a penny for a dog. I DID NOT WRITE THIS. I came to this site thinking it was all inclusive. I see it is not.

    • Anne Marie March 18, 2011 at 12:03 am #

      I DONT KNOW WHO YOU ARE, BUT YOU ARE HEARTLESS. PLEASE, NO ONE CONFUSE HER WITH ME, I WAS NOT EVEN ON THIS SITE AT 10;12 PM. I KNOW I KEEP ON POSTING, BUT I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO BELIEVE THAT I FEEL THIS WAY,

      • Anne-Marie March 22, 2011 at 8:46 am #

        Why am I heartless?

        Because I prefer wildlife-animals? Because im just stating the point that, since there is already so much people donating for dogs and cats, I wont give nothing at all for them? That I prefer to give my economy for the wildlife?

        sheesh. get a grip, will ya?
        okay perhaps I shouldnt have state it that way! But bravo to you for saving a maltipoo. Each year, im donating for saving sharks, turtles, some kind of seabirds, spinx-macaw, etc.

        I just prefer to help some other kind of animals – knowing that the average of people are looking over the cats and doggies!

        breath by your nose sweetie. i am far from being heartless. Im a pro-animal activist, im vegetarian (are you? not? i can call you heartless too, but I wont, you saved a maltipoo!), i have 30 orphans-birds at home, already saved pigeons and wild ones.

        You dont know me. Dont judge me.

  5. Angie Anqi March 17, 2011 at 8:32 pm #

    It really breaks my heart to see the poor animal victims suffering so much…A BIG Thank You to all the kind people who go all out to find them and rescue them. And for so many of us who can’t be there to help them and give them our love and care in person, please do our part to donate whatever we can and give them our full support! Thank you and God bless the poor animals and all the kind and loving people who have helped the animal victims in one way or another…

  6. Donna March 17, 2011 at 6:25 pm #

    If everyone donates, it will definitely help. (Even a small amount). Tell everyone you know to visit this site and donate! There are many, many animal lovers out there! Thank you to agencies such as this who try and do make a difference.

  7. Chris March 17, 2011 at 4:24 pm #

    I would love to adopt these guys. But I would much rather see them reunited with their owners.. Can you imagine the joy it would bring both pet and owner to see each other again.. My heart goes out to all of the people and pets of Japan!! May God Bless them all..

  8. María Carolina Gómez March 17, 2011 at 3:22 pm #

    La donación de nuestra familia para la ayuda de las mascotas afectadas ya fué hecha.
    Si es necesaria, y posible la adopción de alguna de ellas, tenemos todo el corazón para recibirla de mil amores.

  9. luscious775 March 17, 2011 at 2:01 pm #

    donate what you can to help both people and animals here…..my heart aches for these poor people……may better things be on the horizon.

  10. Andrea March 17, 2011 at 2:00 pm #

    I’m from Canada looking to adopt an abandoned dog from the tsunami disaster. I realize that some are bound to eachother like the one that wouldn’t abandon its’ companion in the video and in such a case I would take both of them so as not to have them separated. I am grieving for the people and animals in Japan. My heart goes out to everyone in the country.

  11. Global Animal March 17, 2011 at 11:19 am #

    SITE SLOWNESS ISSUES WITH CHIP-IN AND PAYPAL

    Sorry to hear there are issues with donating. Things definitely aren’t at their most smooth right now and many orgs and sites, including our own, are overwhelmed (in a good way!) with the outpouring of support by animal lovers. The Chip-In site seems especially loaded and linking to the page takes time. Please be patient. Here are the two links:

    Give this link a try:
    http://japanearthquakeanimalrelief.chipin.com/japan-earthquake-animal-rescue-and-support

    This link is a Japanese webpage and the PayPal is in Japanese. There is a drop down menu in the upper right of the PayPal page to switch to english.

    Or you can try Global Animal’s chip-in. We are donating all contributions to the organization in the link above – you may have more luck here; it’s on our home page on the right:

    http://www.globalanimal.org/

    There should be a Chip-In on our home page and within all stories on the right side.

    While both links are slow, they are active for contributors because, happily, the donations total are growing every hour.

    Good luck and thanks again for all your support on behalf of Japan’s lost and injured animals!

    Warmly,
    Leah Lessard Jeon, Global Animal co-founder and Editor-in-chief

  12. MATTHEW March 17, 2011 at 11:17 am #

    i would like to adopt an abandoned dog from the earthquake. I live in the U.S.A. I love animals just as much as humans and yes, we have to be a voice for those who do not have one. Please, if I could adopt either the 2 dogs that were rescued or any other dog that needs a home from the earthquake let me know how i can do that. My email is matt9491@hotmail.com

  13. Marisa March 17, 2011 at 11:06 am #

    I donated $50 to the World Vet Organization and $50 to Direct Relief International Organization which have brave volunteers both people and canine on the ground right now. I urge anyone who can to do the same. You never know when you will be relying on the generosity of someone so far to help you in your time of need.

    • Ann March 22, 2011 at 10:41 am #

      I also split my donations: $100 to the World Vets Organization and $100 to another organization. If even 100 people would donate $50 each, that’s another $5,000 dollars. Even a $20 donation adds greatly to the resources.

  14. Hurting March 17, 2011 at 11:04 am #

    Hey yall. I am trying to access the link to the pay pal account for donations and the web browser wont allow me to get to the website. Will someone please help me figure how I can send my part.

    I could not have put it any better AmandaDC. You, us, we are the proof that people still care and will overcome and prevail. The animals of Japan that are now in eternal sleep are in a better place and have done their part in bringing the people of the world together. It still gets my go to see it!!

  15. Elia March 17, 2011 at 6:57 am #

    He visto el video y no he parado de llorar, no hay mejor amigo del ser humano que estos animalitos, que hacen de nosotros la vida mejor…….

  16. Michael Forcinito March 17, 2011 at 6:56 am #

    I donated $50 each to Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support and Humane Society International. I urge everyone who can to help the animals.

  17. Pelin March 17, 2011 at 6:15 am #

    I just watched the two dogs from Arahama area. Then I reached this page. I donated $50. Thank you everyone.

  18. jessica March 17, 2011 at 5:13 am #

    The dog who mad the news today touched my heart he lead a rescue team to his injured mate who needed help what an amazing dog if you can send theM both to australia I would love to give them both homes

    • Marta March 17, 2011 at 6:22 am #

      I thank life for people like you.

  19. Karin March 17, 2011 at 4:46 am #

    I made a simple PayPal donation on the
    http://drupal.animalrefugekansai.org/?q=en/node/6
    website, a link I followed off this website. Please peeps, join me and get these little fury friends some help. To all you who have donated and those actually hands on – thank you!

  20. Barry March 17, 2011 at 4:20 am #

    I am negative right now but Friday I’ll be getting a pretty nice pay check and I will be back then to donate as much as I can…Promise!

  21. Joanne Langan March 17, 2011 at 3:29 am #

    With all the tragedy that has happened to Japan, it has lifted my heart to know that there are organizations with dedicated people that are there for the pets and other animals that may have survived the disaster. Thank you for your work and for your help caring for the pets that are just as lost and confused and scared. I have added you all to my prayers. Thank you again for caring.

  22. natalia March 17, 2011 at 12:38 am #

    I jast donated $50 australian dollars, please people of the world donate for Japan’s animals in need, only us humans can hepl them!

  23. Rob in Sac March 17, 2011 at 12:19 am #

    $100 – hope it helps.. sad, inspiring.. good work.. wish I could do/give more..

  24. Diane Heil March 16, 2011 at 11:40 pm #

    I am a dog owner and an animal lover. I would like to adopt the dog who would not leave it’s injured canine friend.

    If it is possible, I would like to bring it to the US. I am not crazy, just passionate! Please let me know who to contact.

    Diane- Santa Monica, CA. USA

    • Sylia March 17, 2011 at 5:52 am #

      Diane, it would be great if you could/would adopt.. but why would you only take one of the dogs? It is very clear that the dogs belong together… How sad it would be to separate them forever……

  25. Nikimom March 16, 2011 at 11:16 pm #

    I whole heartedly agree any donation is a help, I was only able to donate $15 but I wished I could give more. My heart goes out to the poor dogs that were together and one was injured, such devotion to his partner . I would like to know if the dogs were able to be reunited with their owners since they both had silver chain tags and obviously someone loved them . Please update on their condition if possible, it makes me cry when I see the video of them together scared and bewildered wondering what happened.

  26. AmandaDC March 16, 2011 at 9:00 pm #

    Wow, this was heartbreaking. When I woke up Saturday and heard “something” happened in Japan, I checked online news sites and cried for the people there. Later in the day, it struck me I was also deeply disturbed by what was happening to the animals there. By no means am I trying to undermine the devastation, loss, and suffering the people there have been subjected to, and I know I will never be able to truly even fathom the pain they are in, but I haven’t been able to get the animals/pets out of my mind since Saturday. Imagining the animals who were trapped in homes when the disasters struck and who were injured and confused and scared and alone and at the mercy of it… Ahhh I haven’t been able to stop crying since I got on this page!!
    What this page says is true– many humans have an incredibly powerful bond with their animals, and pets feel pain and fear too and gave and received the love of a human… unfortunately they lack the understanding, opposable thumbs, etc to really help themselves and get forgotten in such times… yes, why must it be one or the other?
    Donate people!!! That first picture shows that a donation may help give a ray of light and happiness to someone who otherwise may have nothing left! I know if I had lost everything, someone telling me that my dog Sophie had been rescued and was being helped and would be returned to be would bring me to my knees!!!

    • Global Animal March 16, 2011 at 9:13 pm #

      Thank you all for donating to the animal rescue groups in Japan. When we first envisioned Global Animal, we saw it as a gathering place for animal lovers around the world, brought together by empathy, laughter and love. We wanted to give equal time to pets and wildlife. It is so gratifying to see the site in action, with people like you donating. Animals don’t have a voice, so we must be the voice for them! – Global Animal

      • Anne Marie March 17, 2011 at 11:56 pm #

        REMOVE THAT COMMENT FROM SOME HATEFUL PERSON SAYING I WOULDN’T GIVE A PENNY FOR A DOG THAT WAS POSTED UNDER MY NAME. THAT REALLY HURTS ME. I REGITERED AS ANNE MARIE NOT ANNE-MARIE.I DID NOT MAKE THAT COMMENT.

    • Global Animal March 16, 2011 at 9:13 pm #

      AmandaDC,

      What an eloquent expression of concern and understanding.

      You are so right – little donations from a lot of people has the power to change lives for both animals and the people who love them.

      Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful comment!

      - Global Animal

      • Mia March 18, 2011 at 6:44 am #

        Are you going to continue searching for the two dogs (loyal) whereabout? Apparently there are many who are interested in adopting them. Thank you for being there for them.

    • irma carrillo March 16, 2011 at 10:04 pm #

      God Bless You. To most of us with pets, to lose them in a disaster would be a lifelong wound the heart & soul. I have little $, but we humans can take care of ourselves. We owe it to the animals, who only survive when we let them, only thrive when we do not hurt them.

      Soon we should create new forms of rescue shelters that take pet owners. Hurricane Katrina showed the world how animal lovers felt about not being able to accept rescue w/o their animals as well. Shelters should be made available for those that refuse to be rescued w/o rescuing their pet with them.

  27. Creambora March 16, 2011 at 8:38 pm #

    I just donate $40. Yes if everybody gives a little bit, whatever you can, it does make a difference. PLEASE DO IT RIGHT NOW !

  28. Rachel March 16, 2011 at 6:03 pm #

    I agree with both Vancoverrite and Inara… PLEASE donate! And does anyone know in particular if the little kitten meowing in the picture was rescued/given medical attention/Love/Food/Water? I find it hard to believe that the photographers would just leave it there… but you never know. Please update on the kitty? Even false hope, I want to stop crying! LOL

  29. Inara Mantenieks March 16, 2011 at 5:57 pm #

    Though they are emotionally difficult to read, I am glad to see stories about the animal victims from Japan’s tragedy break out into print. The mainstream press hasn’t spoken much about them. It is heartbreaking to see the photos, but publishing them will spur more people into helping the animals along with the humans. The animals are just as scared, hurt, hungry and shocked. Keep the animal coverage coming. And people, please, donate. Together we can make a difference.

  30. Vancoverrite March 15, 2011 at 5:16 pm #

    I’m asking; PLEASE give to Japan’s Animal Rescue Agencies! I have donated $100! Even $5, $10, ANYTHING will help!

    • María Carolina Gómez March 17, 2011 at 3:45 pm #

      La donación de nuestra familia ya está hecha-
      Si es necesario y posible, darle un nuevo hogar a alguna de las mascotas, tenemos un hogar lleno de amor para recibirla (no importa si ladra, maulla, pía o nada).
      “Animals share with us the privilege of having a soul” . (Pythagoras)
      There is a spirit that runs through all of us, an impulse to goodness that heightens and uplifts all life. When one being acts with kindness and love and helpfulness to another, it uplifts us all. These strands of compassion hold the world together.
      Enviamos, mi familia y yo, nuestro apoyo, y nuestro corazón al pueblo del Japón y estamos seguros de que muy pronto va salir adelante.

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