Fleeing (Japan) with your Fuzz

Wonderful news!
...in an odd and possibly inappropriate way.
Perhaps it would be better said as reassuring news.

We got word back from my regular pet transport company about fleeing Japan with my ferret.

In response to my most basic question of "are you even able to move pets out of Japan right now?" I received the following answer.

We have but it has been, as you can imagine, very hectic and agents are at or nearly at capacity.

Far better than nothing given the devastation visited upon the shipping ports and airports.

In response to the possibility of a quick exit, the answer was not surprisingly, not so concrete.

Although possible, it will be hit or miss on short notice.

So, yes, it is possible. It can be done!

But before you leave, you can't just LEAVE.
Not if you plan to take your fuzzy with you.
There are several USA based pet transport companies, regardless of which one you choose, the official documents for entry into the USA will not be different. The official entry documents are decided by the USA government. For ferrets, as of this point in time, there are only two documents required for entry from Japan to the USA.

Papers needed previous to departure with a ferret.
1) International health certificate endorsed by AQS, Animal Quarantine Service. (Usually, a regular "local" vet signs a specific health document. This health document is then sent to a "larger area" vet who is part of AQS. This signature is the one that is necessary for export/import. AQS officials are usually assigned to manage certain areas only so your AQS may be different than the one covering my area.)
2) A current rabies certificate

The health certificate needs to be within 10 days of departure.
Rabies vaccinations need to be over 30 days and less than 1 year.
Please note the date stamps required.

Customs is extremely strict about the dating of official papers. There is no such thing as "close enough" or "one day over? sure you're fine". Your fuzzy will be sitting in customs-limbo for an unprecedented amount of time. Possibly even shipped back to Japan? Or in the case of an expired Rabies vaccine, put down on the table!?

I am not saying that is official customs procedure. I myself am not sure as I am obsessively careful with dating my papers. What I am saying is do not underestimate customs - they are an official office of government and will follow whatever rule is in their book regardless of how outdated or ruthless it might be.

If you are smart and staying informed, you know these earthquakes are not over yet. It's not too late to look for a vet that can give you the rabies shot and sign the necessary documents.

Here is a general summary of what needs to be done now, what can be done now if you are considering completely leaving Japan with your ferret in the case of an emergency.

＊Locate the nearest airport you might be able to depart from.
＊Figure out how you will get there with your ferret.
＊Be direct and ask your current vet if they know what an International Health Certificate is and are they licensed to officially sign one. (This is not likely.) If not, ask how you can get this done.
＊Assemble the documents necessary for export ready.
＊Have the documents on hand in with your ferret evac kit.
＊Check the dates! Keep the documents updated regularly.


Please note all the information provided here is only in regards to ferrets leaving Japan and entering America. Importing your fuzz into a different country will require different papers as designated by that country's animal import/export regulations.

Cheers and stay safe, Stay Informed!
More updates and rewrites on this topic in the near future.

All translations copyrighted and owned by myself.All copyrights of their respective owners. No part of this web site may be produced, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.
Thank you for helping us out!

Dooks, Hisses, and Tweets

Finally got to the point where there is some real collective action being taken as there is now more information being collected and dessimated from stable sources.

Where are they? Online, naturally.
And just as naturally, in Japanese.
To that end we dookfully request that if you want to help and have a twitter account to please please please retweet this information.
Often.
As often as you can.

Please tweet/post these no matter where you live. The hashtags (words preceded by the #) make the post/tweet searchable by ANY search engine. The Japanese language of the tweet just makes the info more readable by the native Japanese speakers who are the ones that need this information. Even if you can't read it, someone reading your tweets may be able to read it and pass the info to someone who needs it.

The most important thing is to keep tweeting the info ESPECIALLY in Japanese. The more you tweet it, the more the info stays in circulation and the more chances there are that it reaches the people/animals in need.

The two separate tweets are as follows:

【拡散希望】 行方不明のペットを探しですか。ＵＲＬで登録下さい。http://bit.ly/dEiFnJ, http://bit.ly/goePGN, http://tiny.cc/f0saz, http://bit.ly/fR1cJF, #311pet #jishin

【拡散希望】 迷子を見かけた知っている人ですか。ＵＲＬで登録下さい。http://bit.ly/dEiFnJ, http://bit.ly/goePGN, http://tiny.cc/f0saz, http://bit.ly/fR1cJF, #311pet #jishin

Many Dooks and Thank You's!! (^_-)-♪


All translations copyrighted and owned by myself.All copyrights of their respective owners. No part of this web site may be produced, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Thank you for helping us out!

DONATIONS for Japan ANIMALS

Finally some donation sites popping up.

THE ANIMAL RESCUE SITE has direct and credible online donation abilities.

The Humane Society International (HSI) is now prepared to accept donations for the welfare of animals affected by the recent disaster in Japan. Secure donations can be placed to their International Disaster Fund. (Paypal, in addition to credit cards, are accepted.)

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) finally has a fund specifically dedicated to fund rescue efforts in Japan. Accepting secure online donations through credit cards only.

PETA is also finally on the ground in Japan and offering help. Onsite donation abilities.

CARE2.com has a a collection of links for donating offsite.

A group of 3 local JAPAN animal welfare societies have created this site for donations. Credibility not assured.

FBCusa, the largest importer of American home products, food stuffs and various necessities for the foreigner in Japan has also opened up donations for pets. FBC is offering a way for you to purchase items that will go directly to shelters and those they identify with needs.

Global Animal Foundation functions like a Red Cross for animals, distributing donations to established and vetted animal rescue organizations worldwide. Donations received during the ongoing crisis in Japan will be donated to Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue & Support (JEARS), a coalition of three animal rescue groups that are on the ground providing rescue and supplies to animal victims of the earthquake and tsunami. (Paypal, in addition to credit cards, are accepted.)

Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support (JEARS) is a collaboration of three established and registered no kill animal rescue NPOs in Japan. The intention behind the creation of JEARS is to coordinate rescue and support efforts for animals in crisis due to the March 11 Earthquake and Tsunami in Northern Japan.

MANY ways to donate including tax deductible donations for US citizens.


Finally, there is WorldVets.org (the non-human version of Doctors without Borders). They don't specifically have a donations for the Japan Earthquake fund, but they are on the ground working in affected areas.


Cheers and see you again! (^_-)-♪


All translations copyrighted and owned by myself.All copyrights of their respective owners. No part of this web site may be produced, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Thank you for helping us out!

Ferret Foster 4 Japan in USA

Passed on to me by a friend on FB,

"Ferret Rescue Texico Ferret Rescue in Texico, NM is currently fostering ferrets of servicemen and others in Japan.
Contact us if any Fert needs fostering.
Texicoferretrescue.org"

Phone: 575-309-6225
If no answer, leave message. Your call will be returned ASAP.
Contact us by email: fertrescue atsign aol.com




Cheers and see you again! (^_-)-♪


All translations copyrighted and owned by myself.All copyrights of their respective owners. No part of this web site may be produced, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Thank you for helping us out!

EVAC FERRETS in JAPAN (rev)

Being that you are living in Japan, the most important thing to remember is that you have to be able to carry your supplies ON FOOT.
At best, you might be able to use your bicycle if you have one, but given what a strong earthquake can do to the roads, much less a tsunami flooding the streets, it's best to prepare as if you will have to carry your supplies ON FOOT.

First, assemble your kit.
# a week's supply of food and water in sturdy, resealable containers (rotate every two months). About 2 Pet bottles of water, 1 minimum.

# 2 weeks' supply of medicine in a waterproof container

# a strong, secure cage big enough for your ferret to move around

# a card with your ferret's name, photo and a written description, your emergency contact information and your veterinarian's name and contact information (attach this card to your pet's carrier)

# a drip-type water bottle, preferably that can be hung from a cage. Small size is recommended. Evac areas quickly become bacteria breeding grounds. The more often you change in CLEAN water, the better.

# two stable, non-breakable food dishes preferably ones that attach to the cage as your ferret will quickly become cage-crazed from being cooped up and will look for anything to "play" with.

# small blanket or tube-sack and a toy or two

# a harness-type leash with bell and ID tag attached to the collar

# piddle pads for puppies and indoor dogs, also known as oshikko sheets

# liquid dish soap and disinfectant WIPES

# disposable garbage bags - make sure they are the ones for YOUR area. Often piddle pads are consider "paper" and are to be disposed of in moeru gomi bags. Check with your local shiyakusho on how to dispose of piddle pads and buy the accordingly appropriate bag.

# a basic first aid kit with bandages, medicine droppers, small scissors, surgical tape, tweezers, antibiotic cream, alcohol wipes, protective gloves (for you), iodine prep solution, and a couple of small splints (popsicle sticks or waribashi - disposable chopsticks - can be used in an emergency.) VSI Pet Care products produce a very nice compact Ferret First Aid kit that you can purchase online from the Ferret Depot. If they won't send one to Japan because of the liquid contents, have them send it to a relative/friend and then have them send it to you. (Express preferably.)

# a first aid booklet with special CPR instructions for small animals.

# 1-2 extra cheap towels to change out bedding OR use in First Aid situations OR to use for cleaning. (The ones you often get as gifts for minor purchases or becoming a member of a supermarket, etc...)

# copies of medical records (including microchip number) with proof of rabies and distemper vaccinations, a recent photograph and your emergency contact information, in a waterproof container

# names and contact info of shelters, veterinarians, friends or family members who would be able to care for your ferret during an emergency (preferably located outside a disaster-prone area)

# a reusable chemical cooling bar (check veterinary supply and camping supply catalogs) and a small cooler. (Good luck with this. If you can find one, good. But be prepared to dump it as you try to juggle a ferret cage, a ferret evac kit, AND your own evac kit.)

# You should also have a supply of cash and YOUR PASSPORT.
After a major disaster, ATMs will probably be offline for some time - ATMs were out of order for weeks, even months in some areas after Hurricane Katrina!

Revised for Japan Conditions from the original Ferret Disaster Preparedness Kit.

☆.。.:*・☆.。.:*・☆.。.:*・☆.。.:*・☆

Now that you have that assembled some other things you might want to look into such as Pet Hotels.

The United Animal Nations offers a wonderful list of sites to search for pet-friendly hotels covering the USA, Canada, and International hotels.

Pet Hotels / Boarding in Japan.

☆.。.:*・☆.。.:*・☆.。.:*・☆.。.:*・☆

In a worst case scenario, you have lost your ferret.
Places to Post for Lost Ferrets:

A place where you can post the information sponsored by the Veterinarians Information Network.
It's all in Japanese so if you want to post, either send me a comment here (It won't post automatically. Confidentiality is respected.) or you can try google's web auto-translate.

FERRETS WORLD HELP on Facebook is a place to post and share SOS for ferrets (urgences, lost/found, etc... ) everywhere in all the languages.

☆.。.:*・☆.。.:*・☆.。.:*・☆.。.:*・☆

And again please, PLEASE share any other information, suggestions, or notifications of dead links.
As any expat overseas knows, the only one helping us is US.


Cheers and see you again! (^_-)-♪

All translations copyrighted and owned by myself.All copyrights of their respective owners. No part of this web site may be produced, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.
Thank you for helping us out!

EVACing pets in JAPAN

UPDATES on Ferret Food Recalls
Responses from Whole/Natural Prey Suppliers

Much to my disappointment, less than 20 hours after the first earthquake and tsunami waves, a reporter in the air reported spotting dogs left wandering around in the wreckage.

Japan is by far the far-most advanced? modernized? Asian country in terms of its attitude to non-human family members, but much like with Hurricane Katarina, animal companions are being abandoned at home to fend for themselves while their families flee to higher ground.

I will translate later today or this weekend, but this was posted for EVCing pets if u live in Japan:
http://pet-clinic.info/toppage/saigaijunbi.htm
#tsunami #pet #earthquake #emergency #evac

There is also a general disaster preparedness kit for FERRETS (list) compiled by the experienced members of F.E.R.R.E.T.

The American Humane Society offers a general list for disaster preparedness for general pets and livestock.

The ASPCA offers a general list for disaster preparedness for general pets.

The United Animal Nations also offers a general list for disaster preparedness for general pets. They also offer a wonderful list of sites to search for pet-friendly hotels covering the USA, Canada, and International hotels.

Pet Hotels / Boarding in Japan.

If you have lost your pet OR you have found a lost pet, here is a place where you can post the information sponsored by the Veterinarians Information Network.
It's all in Japanese so if you want to post, either send me a comment here (It won't post automatically. Confidentiality is respected.) or you can try google's web auto-translate.

FERRETS WORLD HELP on Facebook is a place to post and share SOS for ferrets (urgences, lost/found, etc... ) everywhere in all the languages.

May or may not have anything (so far nothing), but these are the two major Ferret Societies in Japan:
JFA (AFA counterpart in Japan)
IFS (International Ferret Society)


Please, PLEASE share any other information, suggestions, or notifications of dead links.
As any expat overseas knows, the only one helping us is US.

Cheers and see you again! (^_-)-♪

All translations copyrighted and owned by myself.All copyrights of their respective owners. No part of this web site may be produced, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.