Blog  >  Dogs in Japan update: Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support (JEARS) reaches out

Dogs in Japan update: Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support (JEARS) reaches out

May 24, 2011 • Rescue • by Guest Writer

In our current issue of FIDO Friendly magazine, we have a feature story on the Japan tragedy. Now, some more news and an update:

We have all watched in horror the devastation that has taken place in Japan since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The tragedy has really hit home for Spectrum Labs,a global leader in veterinary allergy testing and treatment for the past 20 years that just celebrated its 10 year relationship with the vet community in Japan.

During May and June, Spectrum will raise money for Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support (JEARS), a collaboration of three Japan-based no kill animal rescue NPOs that are helping Japanese animals in crisis. But the company needs your help to let your readers know that Spectrum Labs will donate $1 for each new follower on its Twitter page, for each new “like” on its Facebook page, for each new veterinary clinic that chooses to receive its newsletter electronically instead of on paper, as well as to any attendee of the CVC East conference (May 4-8th) who swipes a card at the Spectrum Labs Booth, number 211. In total, that’s up to $4 to JEARS for each new person who connects with Spectrum.

Here is a personal story from Spectrum:

We have been inspired by the acts of kindness, loyalty, and generosity of both people (and pets). One instance we heard about that exemplifies that is of Atsuko Oikawa, a resident of Ofunato, who was helping her mother-in-law into their car when the earthquake hit and their two beloved miniature dachshunds ran off toward the port and the killer wave.

She found Carlos, but Ghosn – the two are named after Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn – couldn’t be found despite frantic searching. As the wave approached, she reluctantly headed for the hills with her husband, but there was a hole in their hearts over the missing dog, she said.

A week later, however, in what she considers a near-miracle, they received word from the police that Ghosn had not only survived but was in good shape. He had been found far inland near a beach sign, and the Oikawas speculate that he may have ridden the wave in.

“Maybe he rode on it, a surfing dog, perhaps,” said Oikawa’s husband, Yuki. “We’re so incredibly happy to get him back.”

It is these kinds of stories that made us want to get involved, put our love of animals into action, and find a way of honoring our Japanese Veterinary Partners who are from these regions and out there in their communities saving lives every day, just as many of you do here in the U.S.

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