In Kumamoto, Japan, animal shelters reported 272 missing pets following a magnitude-7.1 earthquake on July 28. As of August 25, 129 pets have been reunited with their owners, including some classified as strays due to rabies laws. Search efforts continue, supported by public and private organizations.
Of the missing pets, 64 reports came from local health centers and shelters in Kumamoto City, while 208 were managed by the prefectural government. The earthquake resulted in 38 fatalities and displaced thousands.
Kazunobu Matsubara shared that his family’s toy poodle, Kuromi, escaped during the quake, prompting a search involving police reports and flyers, but she remains missing. The central and prefectural governments launched a website to assist in reuniting lost pets, though resources are strained by post-quake recovery efforts.
Nongovernmental organizations, like V-Cats Japan, are also playing crucial roles in the recovery, offering veterinary care and search support with specialized vehicles. Their efforts aim to save both lost pets and those in need of medical attention.
