WSPA’s work in Japan with the in-country Animals Disaster Response Team (ADRT) is continuing following the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11. We've got some news to report about the affected animals – particularly family pets – which are at this moment caught in limbo in the evacuation area surrounding the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant. It’s estimated that a staggering 5,000 cats and dogs had to be left behind by their distraught owners, when the area was evacuated because of high levels of nuclear radiation.
The latest is that the ADRT coalition, which WSPA has supported from the outset, have been asked by the Ministry of Agriculture to join them on a research team trip this Thursday to look at what needs to be done to help the 5,000 companion animals. We hope this will be an important first step in ensuring the authorities are fully appraised of the need for intervention on the part of these beloved and much-missed family pets. WSPA has made funds available for important equipment that the ADRT team will need as part of any work they do in this dangerous environment, and as they prepare for this difficult task we can only hope they are able to achieve a positive outcome for the animals and their concerned owners. Their personal bravery and commitment on behalf of animals is inspirational and we're very proud to be able to help them. WSPA vet Damian Woodberry returns to Japan on Thursday and we hope to have updates from him on the ground in a future blog.
