In the wake of the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month, volunteers have turned their attention not only to rescuing survivors but also to addressing the urgent needs of displaced and injured pets. As the coastal state of La Guaira begins the arduous process of recovery from the June 24 quakes, animal rescue organizations and veterinarians have been working to reunite pets with their owners, provide medical care, and support animals left vulnerable by the disaster.

The earthquakes, which caused widespread destruction and loss of life, also left many pets separated from their families or orphaned. Nieves Peña, director of the animal rescue group Mi Primer Rescate, described the critical shortage of resources in La Guaira, the hardest-hit area. She explained that many residents who escaped the disaster brought their pets with them but lacked food and shelter for the animals amid the destruction. “Everything is closed, everything is destroyed. There’s nowhere to buy dog food,” Peña said. Her organization, based in Valencia, immediately dispatched teams to La Guaira following the quakes to treat injured animals, distribute supplies, and create a network of foster homes.

Veterinary professionals from across Venezuela have also joined relief efforts. Dr. Ludeimar Rosendo, who traveled from Barquisimeto, has treated or performed surgeries on nearly 700 animals at a temporary clinic set up in La Guaira. She noted the vulnerable state of many animals due to the trauma of the disaster, changes in environment, and exposure to disease.

Stories of reunion and survival have offered glimmers of hope amid the devastation. In La Guaira, Osdalys Santana’s two young children were rescued from their collapsed eighth-floor apartment, but the family’s two dogs were missing for days. While Santana and her son were hospitalized, their dog Luna was found beneath the rubble and placed with a foster family. Online postings helped reunite Luna with her family, bringing relief during a painful time. “Ever since Luna came into our lives, she’s been like another daughter,” Santana said. Her other dog, Canela, remains missing.

In another remarkable case, a family dog named Toby may have helped save a trapped child’s life. Toby, injured but determined, repeatedly returned to a specific spot amid the ruins of a collapsed building in La Guaira. Residents eventually discovered 11-year-old Kenger García unconscious beneath the rubble; he had survived for more than three days. Toby’s identification through social media and return to the family was facilitated by Mi Primer Rescate. “Toby was truly the one who helped save his owner,” said García’s aunt, María Sandoval.

For many residents, including volunteers like physiotherapist Andrea Villasana, care for animals provided emotional respite during a difficult period. Villasana recalled how a frightened puppy she helped rescue became a symbol of hope for locals. Passersby offered food and affection, their spirits lifted by the presence of the dog amid the widespread loss and devastation.

As Venezuela continues to rebuild, efforts to protect and care for the country’s displaced pets underscore the broader challenges faced by communities coping with the aftermath of the earthquakes. Volunteers emphasize that supporting animals is an integral part of the recovery, addressing both physical and emotional needs in the disaster’s wake.