When Disaster Strikes, Pets Are Not an Afterthought The recent earthquake in southern Japan has brought attention to a peculiar aspect of disaster response: evacuees often have to choose between their human loved ones and their pets.
In Kumamoto's latest quake, Ryunosuke Animal Hospital bucked this trend by providing separate quarters for cats and dogs, allowing owners like Tomoko Takaoka to stay with her chihuahua duo.
Disaster shelters often prohibit pets due to concerns about fleas, odors, allergies, and noise – a reflection of how many people view their furry friends as pests rather than companions.