Spenden
- Activities
- About NetAP
- Your help
- Education
- Media
In March 2011, a series of catastrophic accidents and serious incidents at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan shook the world. Large quantities of radioactive material were released and contaminated the air, soil, water and food in the surrounding land and sea areas. Around 100,000 to 150,000 inhabitants had to leave the area temporarily or permanently. Hundreds of thousands of animals left behind died.
In March 2011, a series of catastrophic accidents and serious incidents at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan shook the world. Large quantities of radioactive material were released and contaminated the air, soil, water and food in the surrounding land and sea areas. Around 100,000 to 150,000 inhabitants had to leave the area temporarily or permanently. Hundreds of thousands of animals left behind died.
NetAP immediately contacted local animal welfare organizations. Although Japan, as a modern country, would have been perfectly capable of looking after the welfare of animals in this exceptional situation, they were not included in the emergency plans. People were forced to leave their animals behind in the disaster area. They were usually told that this would only be for a few days, but this turned into weeks or months. The numerous promises made by the authorities to build reception camps for the animals were repeatedly postponed. Countless animals starved to death and died of thirst in the contaminated areas. The media’s interest in the plight of the animals was negligible. But the consequences for humans and animals were dramatic. Many animals were kept in tiny cages for months on end.
NetAP protested to both the government in Japan (Prime Minister Yoshikhiko Noda) and the Japanese embassy and publicly called on them to join the protest. Only with the help of international pressure were the local animal welfare organizations able to achieve small improvements. The petition was finally presented to the Japanese government. Thanks to this, people were allowed to return briefly to the restricted area to collect their pets, subject to many safety regulations. Unfortunately, not as many animals were collected as hoped, probably because too many people were afraid of the consequences of staying in the exclusion zone. Animal rights activists were still not allowed to enter the area to collect or feed the remaining animals.
We support local animal welfare organisations with (medical) advice and relief supplies.
