Help save lives

It's been more than a month since 311's earthquake stroke Japan's north east area. Life in tokyo wasn't affected much from the quake, but more on the electric problem and mental side. However, life is getting back on truck (more or less, or at least for life-line) but not for those who are at the disaster sites and areas near Fukushima nuclear plant. Fukushima nuclear plant issue really brought a big task to Japan. So many things are effected by it, and actually a lots of small lifes had became victims of it... after the tsunami and first explosion of fukushima nuclear plant, citizens within 20km were instructed to evacuate right away. However, lots of dogs and cats have been left behind. I don't know about what truely happend and why, but seems like some owners thought that they are able to return soon and sadly, this did not happen and lots of the pets lost their lives because of the lack of water and food... and it really breaks my heart to know that some of them are still chained or even locked inside...

Hopefully there are some small individual groups that started to take action once after the quake. And I came up to this group, 'Minashigo Kyuentai' that I would love to share and hope that it will make an impact by writing about them. They are a NPO group, rescuing pets that have been abandon or tortured. Once after 311, the director of the company, Ms. Nakatani and her staffs went straight to the disaster sites starting to rescue pets that lost their owners or have been washed away by the tsunami left starving under the cold. They started to went into the 20km evacuate ordered area from 30th March and rescuing the pets that have been left behind. Up to now (data from 15th April.2011) they have rescued over 200 dogs & cats from the area. However, there are still a great number of them and the clock is ticking...

'Minashigo' obeys the law and pay respects to the owners of the pets. They will not leave rescued pets wondering around in other cities and they will take full records on where did they rescue the pets so that they are able to detect the owners later. For pets inside the property, they will take contact with the owners before taking them away. They will not force any pets onto the bus, but instead feeding them day by day to gain trust before taking them away from the area. They leave behind as much food and water as possible before the next time they visit. They also accepted request from owners to search for their pets at the restricted areas. I'm really touched by their activties and braveness to face the blindness radiations that might effect their own health and also the facing the fear from the restless after quakes. And at the same time, I'm also saved by their actions from the guilt of not being able to help these poor creatures. But still, this is a small volunteer group and all their expense are run by funds. They still have not enough good supplies such as food, cage and frontline (medicine for the flea & tick) etc. And the temporay tent they build outside the 20km area is only capable of keeping a max number of around 40 dogs & cats. They still need funds to get gasoline and equipments and foods. And need help from groups or host family that are able to shelter some of the dogs & cats rescued. I, myself can only offer a little, but with the help of others, all these 'littles' will become a big one and I'm sure it will make an impact to save more lives from this tragedy.

'Minashigo' have been interviewed by japan's tv channels like NHK , and 'Sukiri' of Nitere where I found it a very trustful NPO group. Sorry that they only have japanese websites, but for those who are concerned, here is their link: http://www.minashigo.jp/sos/index.html However, due to they are busy at the sites now, instead of their website, they daily up-dated on their blog: http://blog.livedoor.jp/touhoku_inunekokyuen/ (sorry that they are in Japanese too.) But for those who are hoping to help this group to save more lives, please don't hestitate to let me know. I will translate their bank information and address for you. But please be aware that a bank charge of 2500yen will be needed for every oversea remittance within Japan's side. (even if you have paid the bank charge on yourside, japan's side's bank still charges this bank charge) I know that this is very inconvinent, but please don't let this stop your effort in helping these poor little creatures. Your kindness will make a big impact, and I believe that we still have hope in saving more lives even if it is over a month already. Or please help by kindly forwarding this post which will give a big chance to gain more help too. Thank you for reading this long and influent post and thank you for caring.