Proposing Candidates for Kumamoto Earthquake Relief: Reaching Those Who Cannot Leave Their Animal Family Members Behind
When I joined an animal welfare membership in the past, I wrote something like this.
Rescuing animals yourself is not the only way to help them.
Supporting those who are engaged in rescue activities.
Sending money to where it is needed.
Learning about these activities and informing others.
Adding a small light to the places where animals are, within the scope of what I can do.
I wondered if that might also be a way to get involved.
This time, I would like to introduce emergency pet relief that began following the Kumamoto earthquake as one of those options.
Emergency pet relief team dispatched following the Kumamoto earthquake
The project I am introducing this time is a crowdfunding campaign by the certified NPO Peace Winds Japan,
“Kumamoto Earthquake Emergency Relief: We Want to Protect Every ‘Family’ Surviving Together with Their Pets”
is the name of the project.
[Support Page]
Peace Winds Japan is an organization that provides support for humanitarian crises such as disasters and conflicts both in Japan and abroad. In addition to the disaster medical assistance team 'ARROWS,' it operates 'Peace Wanko Japan' for rescue dog support and 'Peace Nyanko' for rescue cat support.
Following the earthquake that occurred in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, 2026, emergency pet relief teams from 'Peace Wanko Japan' and 'Peace Nyanko' were dispatched to the disaster area starting on the morning of the 29th.
On-site, they are accompanying the organization's disaster medical assistance team and are conducting:
・Material support for disaster victims who have evacuated with their pets
・Surveys on damage conditions and needs related to pet support
・Emergency support in cooperation with the government and other support organizations
and other activities.
This is not just about sending pet food; it is an activity to investigate what is lacking on the ground and deliver the necessary support while coordinating with the government and other organizations.
How will the donations be used?
On the crowdfunding page, the following activities are listed as the main uses for the donations:
・Surveying pet support needs in the disaster area
・Emergency material support such as food and hygiene products
・Other support according to the situation in the disaster area
・Preparation for future disaster relief
Donations are planned to be used for emergency relief activities for pets affected by this earthquake and for the people who are evacuating with them.
In the event of a disaster, the necessary items change as time passes.
While food, water, and cages may be needed immediately after the occurrence, support for temporary foster care, animal health management, and sustaining life in evacuation centers may be required later.
For this reason, this project states that there is a possibility that the areas of activity and the content of support may change depending on the needs confirmed on the ground.
It is also clearly stated that if the collected donations exceed the amount necessary for this support, they may be used for other disaster relief activities.
When choosing where to donate, please check each page, including these intended uses and precautions.
Supporting pets is also supporting people in their evacuation.
When a disaster occurs, human lives must be protected first.
I understand that society prioritizes humans.
I also understand that it is difficult to save all lives equally with limited personnel and supplies.
Even so, I think anyone who lives with animals understands.
You cannot leave your family behind and escape alone.
If a major disaster were to happen right now, and
"You cannot bring your cat to the evacuation center"
I were told that.
I don't think I could leave Kotora and Haru at home and evacuate by myself.
I might end up living in a car with my cats.
Even knowing it is dangerous, I might return to the house where my cats are.
However, not everyone has a car.
And there is no guarantee that a car would be spared from the disaster.
For some, spending time in a car during the height of summer or the dead of winter is a matter of life and death.
There are elderly people, those with underlying health conditions, and those who cannot drive.
There are also people living with multiple animals, large dogs, animals with chronic illnesses, or animals that are difficult to transport.
They cannot leave their animals behind.
However, there is nowhere they can go to evacuate together.
There may be people who are stuck in that dilemma.
That is why I believe pet support during disasters is not just an activity to prioritize animals over humans.
It is also support to ensure that people who live with animals as family can evacuate together with those family members.
Delivering pet supplies.
Preparing evacuation environments where people can stay with their pets.
Finding places to temporarily care for animals or identifying necessary support.
Only then can some people finally evacuate to a safe place.
By helping animals, we also help the humans by their side.
"If I have to leave this child behind, I will stay here too."
It is support to create a path for people who feel this way to escape together.
Things you can do even if you cannot go to the disaster site
Even when a disaster occurs, not everyone can rush to the scene.
Not everyone can rescue dogs or cats themselves or take in affected animals.
There are limits to our homes, our time, and our money.
However, we can support those who are able to go to the site.
You can entrust necessary supplies to organizations that can deliver them.
You can also let others know that these activities exist.
Of course, I believe that whether or not to provide support, and which organization to choose, is something each person should decide after confirming the details of the activities.
The project introduced here is also just one of many potential recipients of support.
Even if you cannot reach out directly,
you can add a little bit of strength to those who are already reaching out.
There is more than one way to help animals.
I would like to propose this as one of those ways.
I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to everyone affected by the disaster.
Amidst these anxious days, I hope that necessary support reaches you as soon as possible and that the time you can spend safely increases, even if only a little.
And I hope that those living with animals can evacuate together without being separated from their precious family members, and return to a peaceful daily life.
*To make the support details easier to understand, an AI-generated summary is included.
Please check the information at the links provided and use your own judgment when deciding to provide support.
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