Turkey earthquake: Animals still being rescued two weeks later

On February 6, 2023 a powerful earthquake hit Turkey. And rescue operations have been underway since, even during a second earthquake on February 20. However, it is not just people who have been rescued, as animals are also still being pulled from the rubble.

According to People magazine,

"Over two weeks after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey’s central southern Gaziantep — killing over 40,000 and causing widespread destruction in Turkey and Syria — animal rescuers are still finding pets in the debris to save."

Animals are still being rescued following the February earthquake in Turkey

Since the initial earthquake on February 6, Humane Society International has been working to help save pets lost in the rubble. With a team of rescuers that includes veterinarians, they have been helping to pull cats, dogs, and more buried underneath the buildings. It is an effort that we can all get behind. And it is one that did not stop even when another massive earthquake hit on February 20.

Among the injuries and issues that the rescuers are seeing we have pets dealing with dehydration, cuts, malnutrition, bruises, and more. None of this is surprising, especially when you think about the fact that these pets are being pulled from rubble that has been there for weeks at this point.

It is clear that rescue operations will continue as they are still hearing cats meowing and dogs barking even weeks later. Of course, it is not just the pets that are being found in the rubble that they are helping. Instead, they are also rescuing animals that they are finding on the streets. Any animal that is being found in Turkey is being helped by Humane Society International and the animal rescuers on site.

According to the Humane Society International Director of Animal Disaster Response, Kelly Donithan,

"It’s hard to estimate how many animals have been impacted by this disaster, but the numbers are certainly high. It’s clear that for the people here who have lost everything, to know that their pet companions are safe means a lot, and it is humbling for our animal rescue work to be so welcomed by the people we’re meeting in Antakya."

We truly appreciate the work that both Humane Society International and the animal rescuers on site are putting in to helping not only the people of Turkey, but also the animals of Turkey. It is clear that they are doing everything they can to help save lives.