Temporary Pet Care Service Helps Kumamoto Quake Victims

Hikawa, Kumamoto Pref., Aug. 14 (Jiji Press)–A temporary pet care service has been offered to pet owners in areas devastated by a powerful earthquake that last month hit Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, as some evacuation centers refuse to admit their beloved animals. Michiyo Ueda, 75, a resident of the Kumamoto town of Hikawa, saw her cat, Hina, become weak after she left her at home. Hina, however, recovered after receiving care at a veterinary hospital. “I was able to feel more positive,” Ueda said with a smile. Her home was completely destroyed in the July 28 earthquake. Right after the temblor, she was able to confirm that Hina was safe and sound, but the cat disappeared. After leaving food in front of her home, Ueda was able to see her pet again two days later. But Ueda was unable to take Hina to the evacuation center where she was staying, forcing her to return to her damaged home to feed the cat. Every time she went there, the cat emerged from piles of debris. But it grew thinner and thinner. Back when powerful earthquakes struck Kumamoto in 2016, Ueda had to leave her cat behind at her damaged home when she took shelter at an evacuation center. Five months later, the cat died. “It may have been because of the severe stress,” Ueda said regretfully. “Ten years ago, I was doing the best I could on my own, but this time I absolutely want to save Hina.” She desperately searched for a place that would take in the cat. After leaving Hina at the veterinary clinic in the city of Kumamoto on Aug. 3, the cat gradually began to recover. “I’m so relieved. I’m just filled with gratitude,” Ueda said. She is now looking ahead, determined to prepare a living environment she can share with Hina as soon as possible. Many disaster victims are believed to be facing difficulties evacuating with their pets. On Aug. 4, the Kumamoto Veterinary Medical Association set up a headquarters to assist with pet rescue and support pet owners. The association started accepting pets at eight hospitals in the prefecture, including Big Bear Veterinary Hospital in the city of Kumamoto, which accepted Hina. “By leaving their pets in a safe place, evacuees can focus on getting their lives back on track, which will help speed up reconstruction,” Takayuki Nagao, chief of the hospital, said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]