Petside Items: Animals Asia from Guest Blogger Jo Singer

| Print | By | June 5, 2008 11:12 AM

On Monday, May 12, at approximately 2:30 PM, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale hit China's Sichuan province, a mountainous region in Western China. Chengdu was the hardest-hit area. Hampered by the overwhelming destruction and lack of equipment, rescue efforts were difficult. With thousands of people killed, 18,000 still missing and homes, schools and office buildings destroyed, the process of rebuilding the area will be lengthy and arduous.

When an overwhelming natural disaster strikes, our hearts and prayers go out to the people affected. In need of shelter, food and clothing, organizations around the world rush to their aid. At the same time, people who love animals immediately become concerned for the welfare of animals also impacted by the event. As most of you are aware, shortly after hurricane Katrina struck, many animal welfare groups quickly became involved in the effort to save animals' lives, and provide veterinary care, shelter, food and foster homes. Their goal was to return them to families whenever possible.

Animalsasia.jpg

Animals Asia, a Hong-Kong based government- registered animal welfare charity, whose mission in part is to improve the lives of all animals in Asia, responded immediately. To help animals in crisis created by the earthquake, they established a receiving station through a local vet clinic in Dujiangyiang. They created a hotline to assist pet owners, offering them the opportunity to provide care for their cats and dogs while they were in the process of relocating.

Animals Asia was spurred to action upon learning the authorities in Dujiangyiang planned to cull all dogs for fear of spreading disease. As of today, the group has rescued over 90 dogs and 3 cats , sending some them to an animal shelter and the others to their own rescue center.

Cool fact: You can also get involved and participate by donating to the organization. Donations are tax deductible in the UK, USA, Germany and Australia.

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Comments (9)

Jud June 5, 2008 2:00 PM

I am heartened to hear that something is being done. Disasters affect us all, humans as well as pets.

lj June 5, 2008 2:23 PM

Thanks Jo,

I'm so glad there are groups around like this that do think to look after these animals that also are affected by these natural disasters. I'll be sending a few dollars to help them out!!

Donna June 5, 2008 4:55 PM

I'm so happy the animals are being helped. All too often, they are among the forgotten. =(

Mrs Mom June 5, 2008 7:43 PM

Great info Jo- I had not really thought about what the animals are going through. Such hard times for all of them there....

Will be sure to keep all the animals, aid workers, and those affected by the earthquake in our prayers.

fran June 5, 2008 9:14 PM

I never realized that pets had that much of a place of importance in China. I'm very glad to know that there are people-- there, here and elsewhere--who are supporting the rescue and care of animal victims as well as human victims. Interesting piece, Jo!

annie June 5, 2008 11:41 PM

thank you jo for such an interesting and informative article. i am so glad to see that the animals in china are being helped!

thank you, also, for being YOU!

:::::smile:::::

Margie Huddleston June 6, 2008 1:25 AM

As most of us already know our pets aren't just animals they are family members. It took Katrina to ram this fact home to our government. Hopefully the government working with the earthquake victims will wise up and help these animals instead of just euthanizing these four-legged victims.

abehs June 6, 2008 8:28 AM

Thats great news from China! It shows that people world wide do have respect and care for their animals.

Kim Jack Riley June 6, 2008 1:51 PM

I appreciate learning about such situations, what is being done (

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