News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Interviews with Dr. Ganzert available
Contact: Mark Stubis
202-677-4227
marks@americanhumane.org
TWO YEARS AFTER DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN,
DISPLACED ANIMALS STILL NEED HELP, HOMES
------American Humane Association Releases Impact Report,
Additional $130,000 in Funding and Ongoing Aid Effort for Animals and Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 8, 2012 — Two years after one of the most devastating disasters in recent
history, more than a thousand cats and dogs continue to languish in shelters unable to go home to their families,
and companion animals are still being rescued from many restricted areas hard-hit by the Fukushima catastrophe.
In advance of the second anniversary of the March 11, 2011 Tohoku earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster,
American Humane Association is releasing an Impact Report Update on the ongoing need and the intervention
efforts for the animals and families affected by the unprecedented event.
Immediately following the disaster, American Humane Association sent donations and a shipment of
supplies to relief agencies on the ground as they worked to shelter and save the lives of animals in jeopardy.
With the introduction, facilitation, and help of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, American Humane
Association traveled to Japan last year on an aid visit to Fukushima. AHA President and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert
made site visits, built bridges to local agencies and community leaders as they came to terms with the impact of
the events on March 11, and directed her humane intervention team to develop a long-term grant-making
strategy, along with a slate of community preparation materials and coping tips to protect children and animals.
In addition, American Humane Association has translated their famed disaster sheltering training curriculum into
Japanese for broad and continuing dissemination to the people of Japan. The information is based on techniques
developed by the charity’s renowned Red Star™ Rescue program, which has been involved not only in nearly
every major relief in the United States over the past century, including Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy, and
9/11, but major international relief efforts including rescuing horses on the battlefields of Europe during World
War I and the efforts to save and shelter animals following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
The Current Need, Future Preparation, and $130,000 in New Grants
“As of January 31 of 2013, the area shelter at Fukushima is housing 994 animals from the disaster scene
with a further 325 at the Miharu shelter,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane
Association. “These animals are still waiting to be reunited with their families or find a new forever home, and
we must help those who are helping them and other animals who are still being rescued from the nuclear zone. To
assist, we are providing an additional $130,000 in grants to agencies working on the ground. In addition, we have
provided critical – and we hope lifesaving – information that may help entire communities prepare for, react to,
and cope with future similar disasters. In this way we may not only provide comfort and aid to those now in
need, but better prepare for and perhaps lessen the impact of such situations going forward.”
American Humane Association continues to accept donations for the care of these unfortunate victims of
Fukushima. To view recent photos of the animals and the sheltering facilities as well as the new Impact Report,
please go online to www.americanhumane.org .
About American Humane Association
American Humane Association is the country’s first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to
protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of
virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we’re
also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society.
American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research,
education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help
make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.
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