Venezuelans search shelters for pets lost in earthquakes

Survivors of Venezuela's June 24 earthquakes are searching animal shelters for pets lost in the disaster, while hundreds of animals wait to be reunited with owners or adopted.

The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck within a minute of each other. The source says they killed more than 5,000 people, injured about 17,000 and left more than 23,000 homeless in La Guaira, the worst-hit state. Cats, dogs, turtles and a goat were among animals displaced by the disaster.

In the coastal city of La Guaira, north of Caracas, shelters have taken in animals found after the quakes. Raquel Ramos, 42, said she has been searching for her cat Mia since fleeing with her young son when the earthquakes hit in the Tanaguarena neighborhood. She said she had not been able to find the cat since that day and planned to visit other shelters. Tanaguarena is now described as rubble, like many places along the coast.

A state-run shelter has taken in 326 pets, with about 50 adopted. Astrid Ugas, 17, had planned to adopt one cat to keep her own cat company after its partner disappeared during the earthquakes, but instead took in four kittens.

Rescuers also found a small black cat alive in the ruins almost one month after the disaster, raising hopes that other animals may have survived. The cat was found in a destroyed area where six housing complexes of 12 to 17 stories had collapsed. Vets treated the animal at the site before taking it to an improvised shelter in a McDonald's that had also been used as an outpatient center after the quakes.

Yanier Veliz, a 20-year-old veterinary student and volunteer, said the shelter had treated 50 animals a day, including dogs, cats, turtles and a goat. Veterinary student Amanda Gonzalez said many people who visit the shelter have been reunited with their pets and that the reunions have been emotional. Some cats at the shelter have also given birth and are caring for newborns there.