Family Turned Away from Shelter After Kumamoto Quake... A Small Miracle Amid Despair

Refused entry with pets at general shelters, spent the night in car
38 dead, 119 injured, and 8,383 evacuated
Earthquake with seismic intensity 4 struck again early on the 4th

A veterinary clinic in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, which was struck by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake, is gaining attention for providing temporary shelter to evacuees who cannot find places to stay with their pets. As evacuation due to the ongoing heatwave, water outages, and successive earthquakes becomes prolonged, this case is being recognized as having filled a blind spot for pet owners evacuating with their animals.

On the 4th, Yonhap News TV cited Reuters and other foreign media, reporting that as the number of displaced people increases in Kumamoto Prefecture, some veterinary clinics are providing shelter to displaced people accompanied by their pets, drawing public attention. Photo by Yonhap News

On August 4, Yonhap News TV, citing Reuters and other foreign media, reported that as the number of displaced people increases in Kumamoto Prefecture, some veterinary clinics are providing shelter to evacuees accompanied by their pets, drawing public interest. According to Reuters, after the earthquake, Ms. Takaoka, who had lost contact with her parents, went to a nearby evacuation center but was told her dogs could not accompany her inside. Unable to leave her two dogs behind, she spent the first night packed with them in a cramped car under the scorching heat. Later, she learned through social media that Ryuunosuke Animal Hospital in Kumamoto City was accepting evacuees accompanied by pets.

Classrooms at a veterinary nursing school converted to accommodate 26 evacuees and their pets

The hospital converted classrooms at Kyushu Animal Academy, which trains veterinary nurses, into temporary shelters. Tents were set up inside the classrooms for evacuees, and the space was divided so that pet owners who brought dogs and cats could live separately. Currently, 26 evacuees and their pets are staying together at this location.

The hospital converted the classrooms of Kyushu Animal Academy, which trains veterinary nurses, into temporary shelters. Tents were set up inside the classrooms for disaster victims to stay, and the space was divided so that guardians who brought dogs and cats could live separately. Reuters Yonhap News

The hospital director, Ryuunosuke Tokuda, emphasized that, especially in disaster situations, it is natural for dogs and cats to stay together with their families. However, he explained that at general evacuation centers, evacuees who do not have pets often worry about odors, fleas, allergies, and noise, so admission with pets is frequently restricted.

Ryuunosuke Animal Hospital began opening its doors to evacuees during disasters after the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. Based on the experience that many residents at that time could not enter evacuation centers because of their pets and had to stay in cars or outdoors, the hospital has prepared evacuation spaces where animals and their guardians can stay together.

About 8,400 people continue to live as evacuees in Kumamoto Prefecture

Housing damage in Kumamoto Prefecture due to the earthquake totals 12,024 buildings, including 700 completely destroyed and 1,025 partially destroyed. Across the prefecture, 162 evacuation shelters are operating, with 8,383 people currently living in evacuation. Water supply outages have affected 45,280 households. This earthquake occurred at 4:27 p.m. on July 28 in the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency's provisional tally, the magnitude was 7.1, and the depth of the epicenter was 16 kilometers. In Uki City and Hikawa Town, the highest seismic intensity of 7, according to Japanese seismic observation standards, was recorded.

Housing damage in Kumamoto Prefecture due to the earthquake totals 12,024 buildings, including 700 completely destroyed and 1,025 partially destroyed. Across Kumamoto Prefecture, 162 evacuation shelters are operating, with 8,383 people living in evacuation. Photo by AP Yonhap News Agency

Seismic activity has continued even a week after the main earthquake. At 5:32 a.m. on August 4, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 4 struck the Kumamoto region, and tremors of intensity 1 to 3 have continued to be observed in various places in the prefecture. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that, based on past cases in this region, similarly strong earthquakes can occur within a week after a major quake and urged caution against further strong tremors, building collapses, and landslides. Many residents have chosen to stay in vehicles rather than shelters during this disaster as well. Taking refuge in vehicles during a heatwave carries increased risks of heatstroke, dehydration, and deep vein thrombosis. In fact, after this earthquake, a woman in her 70s who was staying in her car was found dead, suspected to have died from heatstroke.

Recovery efforts in the affected areas are also accelerating. Construction of temporary housing has begun in Uki City and Hikawa Town, and some hotels and inns are offering rooms to evacuees. However, with tens of thousands of households still without water and many shelters lacking sufficient air-conditioning and medical or sanitation facilities, evacuees continue to face significant burdens in the heat. So far, the death toll from the earthquake stands at 38. There have been 119 injuries, including 33 minor injuries, 50 moderate injuries, 15 serious injuries, and 21 injuries where the severity is unclassified.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.