Free pet clinics open for disaster victims in areas with few animal hospitals

Veterinarians of the Ishikawa Veterinary Medical Association have been touring the affected areas in a bus equipped with medical equipment to provide free treatment for pets. The mobile clinic is one of the few animal hospitals operating in the region damaged by the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

The service has been running in the northern Noto Peninsula since January 28. The bus is equipped to take X-rays and perform blood tests.

A special bus is available to take X-rays and perform blood tests.

On February 18, six veterinarians set up a tent in a corner of Wajima Junior High School, a designated evacuation center in Wajima City, to provide medical care.

The veterinarians checked symptoms, gave advice, and prescribed medicine. Examinations were available for dogs with heart disease and other pre-existing conditions.

A veterinarian conducts an examination on the bus.

On previous tours, the vets had treated pets that had fallen ill due to the stress of a change in environment during the evacuation.

One pet owner said, "Pets heal me just by being by my side. I am more concerned about my pet's health than my own, so I am very grateful for the help."

The association said many of the veterinary hospitals affected by the disaster are still unable to provide adequate care due to damage to their buildings and medical equipment. It says it will continue offering the free clinic through March, mainly on weekends.