Pet-friendly refuge offers safe haven

Takaoka eventually found sanctuary at the Ryunosuke Animal Hospital in Kumamoto. The facility temporarily converted classrooms in its veterinary nurse training school into a refuge for displaced residents and their animals, offering separate spaces for dog and cat owners so families could stay united during the crisis.

Hospital director Ryunosuke Tokuda noted that while conventional shelters often ban animals over concerns regarding noise, hygiene, and allergies, pets are cherished family members who provide critical comfort during emergencies.

Lessons from past disasters

The hospital first established its pet-inclusive shelter program following the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, when numerous residents faced similar hardships finding accommodations that accepted animals.

Following this week's disaster—which has claimed at least 36 lives and left thousands without power and water—the hospital quickly mobilized again. Around 26 evacuees and their pets were sheltered at the facility during a recent visit by Reuters. Expressing her gratitude, Takaoka shared that while she hopes to return home soon, she is relieved to keep her dogs by her side, emphasizing that they are "just like family" and she intends to remain with them every step of the way.