KUMAMOTO, Japan — Weeks after a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck southwestern Japan, hundreds of families are still waiting for the return of pets that disappeared in the chaos.
Authorities in Kumamoto said 272 reports of missing dogs and cats had been filed by Aug. 25, following the July 28 earthquake. Of those cases, 129 animals had been found and returned to their owners, leaving 143 cases still unresolved at the time of the latest count. That means fewer than half of the reported missing pets had been reunited with their families.
The reports were handled by animal shelters and health centers across the region. Kumamoto City accounted for 64 cases, while the prefectural government handled another 208 reports from other municipalities. Some of the animals counted among the 129 recovered pets had initially been taken into protective custody as strays before authorities determined that they belonged to families searching for them.
Terrified pets fled as the earthquake struck
For many owners, the disappearances happened in seconds.
In Yatsushiro, resident Kazunobu Matsubara said his parents were looking after their black female toy poodle, Kuromi, when the violent shaking began. The dog became extremely frightened and eventually escaped through a gap in the home’s front door.
The family reported Kuromi missing to police and health authorities and distributed flyers while continuing their own search.
“We feel like a member of our family is missing,” Matsubara said, describing the emotional toll of the disappearance.
Kuromi’s story is one of many illustrating how quickly frightened animals can flee during a major disaster.
Rescue efforts continue beyond government agencies
Authorities and private organizations are continuing efforts to locate animals that remain missing.
Japan’s Environment Ministry and Kumamoto Prefecture established a dedicated online system for information about dogs and cats rescued in the disaster area. The platform allows people who have taken in an animal to post information, while owners can search for possible matches and contact rescuers directly.
Kumamoto City has also maintained a consultation service for residents dealing with missing pets, evacuation-related pet problems and other difficulties caused by the disaster.
The prefecture has additionally established a pet relief headquarters with the Kumamoto Veterinary Medical Association and Kumamoto City. The program includes temporary boarding arrangements for disaster-affected dogs and cats whose owners cannot immediately care for them.
Volunteers step in as searches continue
Non-government organizations have also joined the effort.
V-Cats Japan, a veterinary-care team with experience responding to the 2024 Noto earthquake, has been working in Kumamoto to search for animals and provide medical assistance. Its efforts have included installing cameras and traps to help locate frightened animals that may be hiding or avoiding people.
The broader response reflects a growing recognition in Japan that disaster recovery must account for pets as well as people.
Earlier in the aftermath of the earthquake, The Japan Times reported that private shelters, volunteers and online communities were scrambling to locate animals that had bolted from their homes after the quake.
Another case captured widespread attention when 25 cats trapped inside a damaged shopping mall were rescued after the earthquake and a subsequent explosion. The animals were safely transported to Hiroshima for care.
The difficult lesson from Kumamoto
The missing-pet figures highlight a less visible consequence of major earthquakes.
When buildings are damaged, doors and fences fail, electricity and communications can be disrupted, and families are forced to evacuate, frightened animals can easily become separated from their owners. Even after the immediate danger passes, locating them can be difficult.
The Kumamoto response has therefore evolved into a combination of government databases, animal shelters, veterinary assistance, volunteer search teams and community networks.
But for the 143 unresolved cases recorded as of Aug. 25, the disaster is far from over.
Every recovered dog or cat represents a family reunion. And for the owners still searching, the hope remains that an animal that disappeared in the confusion of July 28 could still be found and brought home.
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