In the News: Tails of Marin
Animal lovers to the rescue after earthquke in China
By Morgan Lance
In the aftermath of the 7.9 earthquake that rocked China's Sichuan province a month ago, a nation mourned its almost unfathomable loss of nearly 70,000 people. As rescue teams and much-needed supplies were sent to the hardest hit areas, what became increasingly apparent to animal welfare groups in the region was that humans were not the only victims of the devastating quake.
Hundreds of thousands of farm animals had also perished and many household pets became instant strays with no family left to provide for their care.
In the city of Dujiangyiang, officials posted notices ordering a cull of all dogs and cats in the area fearing the animals would spread disease in the crowded tent camps that housed the hundreds of families made homeless by the quake.
Citizens of Dujiangyiang began hiding their pets for fear they would be taken or killed. An elderly resident clutching a Chihuahua to his chest explained that Wang Wang (Precious) was the only companion he had left. With tears in his eyes he cried, "I don't want to let her go."
Fortunately, there was another option for Wang Wang and the rest of the animals of Dujiangyiang.
Animals Asia Foundation, a Hong-Kong based animal welfare group, secured permission from the local government to set up an animal receiving center in Dujianyiang. With a moon bear sanctuary in Chengdu, just 75 miles from the epicenter of the quake, Animals Asia was poised to provide assistance to animals in the immediate area.
To date, its mobile team has rescued 117 animals - some strays, others family pets. Some of the rescued animals even came from a local pet shop which had been boarded up, the animals trapped inside and left to fend for themselves for days until the Animals Asia team was alerted to their situation.
With funding from Humane Society International, free supplies of food and vaccines from corporate donors and the help of several volunteers from the Hong Kong SPCA, the team has provided a second chance at life for the pets of Dujiangyiang and a reason for their guardians to have hope.
"This dog saved my life," said an elderly man as he handed his white Spitz named Tudo (Potato) over to Animals Asia's veterinarian. He then explained how on May 12, his dog began to act strangely, barking and nipping at the man's legs and running repeatedly out the front door. The man followed and moments later the quake stuck, destroying his home.
"His life is as important as my own and I do not want to lose him. I am now living in a tent and hiding him. I am worried he will be taken away."
A week later, this same man returned to the receiving station holding a dehydrated orange cat who belonged to a neighbor, another tent resident with no means to provide for their pet.
Wang Wang, Tudo and the lucky orange tabby will spend the next six months at the Qi Ming Pet Rescue Center in nearby Chengdu while their guardians endeavor to rebuild their lives.
Arrangements will be made for the animals to remain at the center longer or be re-homed if, at the end of the six month period, their guardians are still unable to care for them.
In the meantime, the Animals Asia team will continue to rescue dogs and cats in Dujiangyiang and also provide rabies vaccines for both humans and animals in the city as well as assist Red Cross China with human first aid and relief efforts.
In times of crisis, animals can provide much needed emotional support for those dealing with loss. Some animals, like little Tudo" or the two puppies who kept an elderly women trapped in the rubble alive for eight days by licking her lips, quite literally provide a lifeline to those in danger. "We need to remember that these dogs and cats are also victims of this tragedy," says Animals Asia founder Jill Robinson.
For the latest updates on the earthquake pet rescue, go to animalsasia.org.
Morgan Lance is the AAF US Outreach Coordinator and a volunteer at the Marin Humane Society.
