US Military Family Doesn’t Want to Leave Pets Behind!

March 17, 2011 by
Mariaelena Rodriguez Geoffray and Bella

I saw a link to a note on Facebook for a desperate plea from a military family being evacuated from Japan today and are being told they cannot take their pets with them. Do you have any contacts that could help them get their pets out or knwo they will be safe until they can be put on a plane to join their family?

URGENT!

A Tehachapi, California family who is active duty military in Japan needs help evacuating their pets along with the family. Here is the message that was received from the family. You can feel the desperation this family is feeling as moment by moment their choices for bringing their pets back to the US deteriorate.

“There will be nobody to fly my animals if I’m gone by tomorrow. Anyway, I have an appointment for the animals to get their health certs at 1:30 my time and I’ll be searching for any flight that can take animals for tomorrow. I don’t leave until 6:30 pm so I have time to spare at the airport. I can’t believe this is really happening. The military flights wont fly animals unless I’m on PCS orders. I’m not, we’ve lived here too long now.” DOES ANYONE HAVE MILITARY OR GOVT CONNECTIONS TO HELP? Our military families in Japan need our support. They should not have to leave their pets behind in an evacuation!

More from the military family:
[..] this is breaking my heart! It’s only me and my kids. My husband isn’t even here to help out. The animals know something is going on. I’m quickly running out of options.

I have no idea how to get in contact with those [organizations]. I could just hang out at the airport and hope for the best?

I’m flying Singapore Air. They do not fly animals at all. They gave me the number to PetMovers. Unbelievable! I’m at Yokota Ab, I will be at Narita Airport tomorrow, 18 March. I just emailed Heart-Tokushima.

I just got off the phone with American Airlines…..they told me they would not fly animals today anyway. It’s too cold! It must be 7-8 degrees c. ???!!! He told me to try Fed Ex.



UPDATE
I have confirmation that both Japanese Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support along with WorldVets have reached out to her and are hoping that they can reach a solution that will allow for peace of mind when she leaves with her children on Friday (Japanese Time). The situation at this point is that NO airline will fly animals out of the country from her location due to the weather which is very cold and in some places it is even snowing hampering rescue and relief efforts for sure but at the same time making it unsafe and against airline policy to fly animals. The temperature outside must be above a certain cutoff point in order for animals to fly cargo this is for their health. The family being in a desperate situation and being forced to leave while she is in country alone with her children and the pets is overwhelming for her. My last communication from her was that she is desperate to find a an airline that will fly the 2 dogs and 2 cats when she leaves and not have to leave them behind even if there are promises to get the animals to her and that they will be cared for in the interim.

I feel like the only way to get them out at this point is via private plane or transport that would allow the dogs and cats to be in cabin (crated) so they can be in the temperature regulated area with the family. I don’t know that either the private plane or transport will be found in time to help this family.

There are likely other families begin forced to make the same decision. Leave because the military is evacuating them and because it is an evacuation and not change of orders they are being forced to leave their pets behind. If the base is evacuating there will be no one left (or possibly a very minimal support staff) that will be able to watch the animals until other arrangements are made. Its not like they can ask their neighbors or friends to keep them for a week or two until things have calmed down no one will be left. Please continue to keep this particular family and all the families being evacuated and forced to leave their pets behind whether military or private companies.

As more information becomes available if it becomes available I will update. I have messaged the family but wanted to post to give anyone still awake tonight the ability to reach out to their contacts.


If you can help transport the 2 dogs and 2 cats along with the family please contact me and I will put you in touch with the family. 

twolittlecavaliers{@}gmail.com

Filed Under: Paws for Japan

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says
    March 17, 2011 at 4:08 am

    I have a friend who has a FB friend in Japan who has offered her kennel to any needy dogs. I'll see if I can find the link….
    Marg (not sure what to click on in the 'Select Profile” option)

  2. Dana says
    March 17, 2011 at 4:13 am

    I am told these two organizations are accepting as many animals as possible especially in your situation – mark messages urgent or call call call. Good luck.

    Japan Cat Network http://www.facebook.com/pages/Japan-Cat-Network/374489592033
    Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK) http://www.arkbark.net/?q=en%2F

  3. Susie Atherton says
    March 17, 2011 at 4:14 am

    I am Mariaelena's friend in California. If anyone has info on the kennels in Japan (anonymous poster above) please post your information on my Facebook wall note here:

    http://www.facebook.com/notes/susie-atherton/us-military-pets-in-japan-need-our-help/197690223585079

    Mariaelena is monitoring this public page, and others are posting ideas on how to get her pets on a plane when they leave the country on Friday. Thank you, caring pet lovers!

  4. Anonymous says
    March 17, 2011 at 4:43 am

    Posted your plea to JEARS and WORLD VETS.

    Am a Military Wife, not sure what the restrictions are. Praying for you all! I hope someone can help with these sweet furkids.

  5. Anonymous says
    March 17, 2011 at 4:59 am

    Have you tried Animal Land Pet Movers? They move pets all over the world. 1-877-379-8625. http://Www.petmovers.com

    You're in my prayers!

  6. Anonymous says
    March 17, 2011 at 5:00 am

    I handle all of the domestic and international travel plans for our clients at my veterinary office in California. I'm used to sending military families TO other countries (not trying to get them back in the US). I'd come get your pets myself if I could! I know pets fly into Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL) why can't they fly them out as long as you have the health certificates you should be fine – ???)You can try contacting companies here in the US that specifically transport animals (private companies). Airborne Animals is excellent 1-888-773-5767 or 1-908-684-1844 or [email protected] If they can't help they might know who can. Otherwise, is it possible to work with the Japan animal rescue and support network to somehow “board” them at a shelter until you can make further arrangements? Wish I could do more. You're in my thoughts! ~D

  7. Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support says
    March 17, 2011 at 5:26 am

    Thank you so much for this post. The rescue crews at Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support have been notified in an urgent message of this post. Do you have any further contact information about the family in question? Please upload it here:http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=208301172515718 as soon as possible and we will do our very best to help. Also, if you could spread the word to people leaving the country in this kind of situation that we exist and that we CAN HELP, please do. Another reputable organization that is doing similar work is Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK). They can be contacted at http://www.arkbark.net. Please help us keep these animals from being abandoned in this emergency.

    Thank you,
    Meagan Kaiser
    Volunteer- Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support

  8. Anonymous says
    March 17, 2011 at 5:37 am

    Cathy King here from World Vets. We have a vet tech in Japan who will be flying back to the US (through california)on tuesday the 22nd (on Delta). Keep us posted. If the animals are still in the Tokyo area over the weekend we can try to make arrangements to get them on her flight. We are in contact with several of the local rescues in Japan as well. We will also have a vet there on friday who would help out. They are up north right now, but could back early to help coordiante this. please keep us posted and we can try to help if you havent found any options by the weekend. we'll work on some other options too. good luck! you can email us at [email protected]. Cathy King DVM PhD, CEO World Vets

  9. Anita says
    March 17, 2011 at 5:38 am

    PLEASE GO TO Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support on Facebook. We are doing on the ground rescues and are operating shelters. We have also been notified of the situation. We are going to try to get in touch with the family as soon as possible! Meagan Kaiser is the contact person who has already posted on this board. We will help!

  10. Rachel says
    March 17, 2011 at 5:39 am

    What about Baghdad Pups? http://www.spcai.org/baghdad-pups.html? They're a civilian organization dedicated to bringing active military's dogs and cats whom they've bonded with back and fly them back to their human companions in the States. I'm sure that under the circumstances perhaps they're considering a trip to Japan? I don't know about Kennels though…

    And there's also World Vets (worldvets.org) an international crisis non-profit that would probably be willing to hold the dogs until the flights can be arranged…

  11. Anonymous says
    March 17, 2011 at 5:59 am

    Felissa-I have numbers and contacts from JEARS. I need them to contact me if they can via email or phone. How can I give you that info privately?
    Anita Posey

  12. Anonymous says
    March 17, 2011 at 6:01 am

    You can call me directly at 080-3210-7237. Anita

  13. Anonymous says
    March 17, 2011 at 6:13 am

    We have put her in direct contact with rescuers. Please know that we are doing all we can to help. Anita@JEARS

  14. Felissa Hadas says
    March 17, 2011 at 4:32 am

    Both organizations have now been reached out to. It has been over an hour since any update from the family. I know this story was picked up by their hometown news station so they were being interviewed and were still trying to make phone calls.

  15. Dana says
    March 17, 2011 at 4:42 am

    These are the three main rescue orgs in Japan. I'm reaching out to them via their emails but don't know who to connect them with – please reach out to them too and see if they know if it's possible and who to contact for getting an animal out of Japan at this time.
    http://www.japancatnet.com/

  16. Felissa Hadas says
    March 17, 2011 at 4:54 am

    The only contact information I have for this family is her Facebook Profile you can see her full name on the photo caption above.

  17. Felissa Hadas says
    March 17, 2011 at 5:24 am

    To clear something up. The family is willing to pay whatever they need to in order to get the pets out. the problem is the airlines will not fly the pets as cargo because it is too cold and against regulations (its a safety issue for the pets if it is too cold). The military will not transport the pets for them. They are trying to contact shipping companies and organizations or kennels that are safe and can help them get their dogs and cats back home but with so little time left things have not been going so well.

  18. Felissa Hadas says
    March 17, 2011 at 5:49 am

    Dr. King (of WorldVets) – Thank you so much for your offer to help. I have passed it along to the family and I hope they can get in touch with you. I know you are working with JEARS so hopefully together something can be done. Thank you for reaching out to this family and offering your resources to help them.

    Love, prayers, and good thoughts to your entire team and everyone working with you all in trying to help the animals. We are all thinking of you and them.

  19. Anonymous says
    March 17, 2011 at 10:48 am

    Some new information I've found in the last hour or so:

    Voluntary evacuations within 50 miles of the plant

    Yokota base vet is now open from 7:30 am – 8 pm to accommodate vaccines & health certificates.

  20. Anonymous says
    March 17, 2011 at 11:18 am

    we have us airlines, if they could come in and fly the enimals out, and the family. It is time some of theae big airlines can pay back there customers by showing support to the peaple that need it, also, peta , and the humane society may have there say. who will feed the dogs. OR chance the starve..time for great action.. AIRLINES US. and a VET , ON BOARD.cathy fosdal

  21. Amethyst Moon says
    March 17, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    Oh I'm so saddened by this. I wish there were someway to help!

  22. Cokie the Cat says
    March 17, 2011 at 9:32 am

    All of you have warmed my heart tonight.

    {{{Japan}}}

    Cokie

  23. Felissa Hadas says
    March 17, 2011 at 10:12 am

    Anita @ JEARS thank you so much. I really hope that you were able to come to a solution that will give her peace of mind. I had sent all your contact information to her before going to sleep as it had been hours since hearing from her and felt there was not much I could do at that point. Other then share and hope she received the information in time.

  24. Pets for Patriots says
    March 17, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    Dog and cat evacuations are being organized for US military personnel and families: scroll down on this link of up-to-the-minute updates provided by Stars and Stripes:

    http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/earthquake-disaster-in-japan/up-to-the-minute-1.137957

  25. Two Little Cavaliers says
    March 17, 2011 at 11:31 am

    The issue is not that they in general will not the problem is the flights are jammed packed as is with everyone wanting to get out. So they can't fly in cabin even if an airline would agree and they could deal with Quarentine issues when the arrive in the US. The issue is the weather is making it UNSAFE for Pets to fly as cargo right now no matter what airlines. WorldVets have been contacted and are willing to have a Vet tech bring the dogs home to the US when they fly back but it will have to be a few days and can only hope weather will permit it.

  26. Anonymous says
    March 17, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    I am hoping that this may help
    http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-warden20110317-02.html

  27. browndogcbr says
    March 17, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    Hi Y'all,

    Since there is nothing we can do about the weather, we can only offer paw power and Human prayers that World Vets the and other agencies will be able to make arrangements for the safe uniting of these pets with their families as soon as weather permits.

    Hawk aka BrownDog

  28. Anonymous says
    March 19, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    World Vets is still working on this to help you and others in your situation. any updates? Cathy, World Vets

  29. Anonymous says
    March 20, 2011 at 6:40 am

    Thank you Cathy. I just got an update from my husband, who arrived home in Japan just after I left. He is home with the animals and back to work to help with the evacuation efforts. At this time all evacuations are voluntary. Thankfully, they are accepting pets on flights now! I'm so happy something was finally done about this issue. Unfortunately, I'm already gone. But, I have put my trust in my husband to take them with him IF and WHEN he must evacuate. Most of my worries about them being left alone are put at ease, I just wish they could have made it home with me. I'd love a reason to go for a walk with my dogs or to curl up on the couch with my kitties.

    I can only hope and pray that everything goes well in the Tsunami stricken areas and pets get reunited with their owners, and the ones that can't, get good forever homes. I'm willing to help in any way I can from California and of course when I return to Japan. Thank you for all you do.

    Mariaelena Geoffray

  30. Marianna says
    March 24, 2011 at 8:29 pm

    Mariaelena Geoffray (and others in her and her husband's situation for evacuating). If you can't take your pet with you, the group ArkBark (also mentioned at the beginning of these comments) sent me an email with the following information: Per another rescue request earlier, I took it upon myself to contact, among others, http://www.arkbark.net, who says they can make arrangements with people evacuating to take care of their pets until later when the owners can reclaim them (i.e., take them home, if it's in the US or wherever). Arkbark sent me the following info March 22, which everyone can use who are in the situation of leaving their pet behind:

    “Thank you for your offer of support… we are indeed trying to focus on taking in animals from foreigners that are leaving the country. We are issuing the following guidelines for pets coming to board at ARK:

    * Pets can be boarded at ARK for three months. If after three months we have no contact from the owner, those pets become the property of ARK and can be rehomed.

    * All pets will be vaccinated on arrival, unless a vaccination certificate is produced. They will also be checked by our vet for health conditions and neutered, unless this has already been done.

    * We ask people to bring animals here or have them sent by air to our nearest airport, Osaka Itami.

    * Animals will be boarded free of charge, but we would appreciate any donations.

    If you can help us get in touch with us, by email or phone we would be happy to help.

    Thank you,
    Chandra Sheppard on behalf of Elizabeth Oliver, founder of ArkBark

  31. marianna says
    March 24, 2011 at 8:32 pm

    And, according to a post on the fb page for Jears, the following Stars and Stripes articles details an updated policy about pets (it mentions 2 pets allowed, though a later post by someone with the military has since said that now the limit is 3. fyi):

    http://www.stripes.com/blogs/the-rumor-doctor/the-rumor-doctor-1.104348/do-luggage-limitations-apply-to-pets-for-families-leaving-japan-1.138564

  32. Marianna says
    March 24, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    Hello. I hope you and others find the following info useful, if and when an evacuation is done, and help is needed for pet caretaking: Per another rescue request earlier, I took it upon myself to contact, among others, http://www.arkbark.net, who says they can make arrangements with people evacuating to take care of their pets until later when the owners can reclaim them (i.e., take them home, if it's in the US or wherever). Arkbark sent me the following info March 22, which everyone can use who are in the situation of leaving their pet behind (& fyi, to Jears): “Thank you for your offer of support… we are indeed trying to focus on taking in animals from foreigners that are leaving the country. We are issuing the following guidelines for pets coming to board at ARK:

    * Pets can be boarded at ARK for three months. If after three months we have no contact from the owner, those pets become the property of ARK and can be rehomed.

    * All pets will be vaccinated on arrival, unless a vaccination certificate is produced. They will also be checked by our vet for health conditions and neutered, unless this has already been done.

    * We ask people to bring animals here or have them sent by air to our nearest airport, Osaka Itami.

    * Animals will be boarded free of charge, but we would appreciate any donations.

    If you can help us get in touch with us, by email or phone we would be happy to help.

    Thank you,
    Chandra Sheppard on behalf of Elizabeth Oliver, founder of ArkBark

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