LOS ANGELES, May 2, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Humanitarian rescue and recovery efforts in Japan have been unprecedented in the wake of the recent catastrophic earthquake and tsunami. But while the vast majority of relief efforts have focused on humans, thousands of abandoned, injured and frightened animals have been left out of the equation. These poor animals have tragically been left behind to starve, die from their wounds, or perish due to radiation exposure emanating from the Fukushima Dai Ichi Nuclear Power Plant.
But with LAST CHANCE FOR ANIMALS, there is hope. The non-profit animal advocacy organization has been leading the charge in northern Japan's nuclear exclusion zone to rescue the vast majority of animals left behind in the ruins. These rescue teams are penetrating as deep as Okuma, Tomioka, and Naraha, and at times coming within 3 miles of the damaged nuclear reactors. Continually checking their radiation levels, the LAST CHANCE FOR ANIMALS team members have proven that rescuers can enter these zones and return hours later, not only with truckloads of rescued animals, but also free of meaningful levels of radiation exposure. In fact, every rescuer who has since returned to the U.S. has received more exposure to radiation on the flight back than they received on the front line.
WATCH VIDEO:
Click here to see the scope of work that LAST CHANCE FOR ANIMALS is doing in the field: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mAjyaX9Hzw
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY:
Rescue teams from LAST CHANCE FOR ANIMALS have gone deep into the rubble where no other humans have dared to venture to save lost, lonely and injured animals from the nuclear exclusion zone. These brave animal lovers are currently available for interviews to share their first-hand accounts, including the tragic consequences these animals would have faced without their intervention.
"LAST CHANCE FOR ANIMALS has been the difference between life and death for many of these animals," stated Chris DeRose, President of LCA. "We're very proud of our organization's heroic rescue efforts to save the lives of these former pets."
ABOUT LCA:
LAST CHANCE FOR ANIMALS (LCA) is the national animal advocacy organization dedicated to investigating, exposing and ending animal exploitation. Established in 1984, the non-profit organization focuses on ending animal-based experimentation (vivisection) through education and non-violent civil disobedience. Over the decades, LCA has broadened its focus to include all areas of animal abuse, including the fur industry, factory farming industries, wildlife management, stolen pets for research, and product testing on animals. LCA advocates conscious and informed lifestyle decisions and is committed to disseminating truthful information about societal animal abuse in order to improve the manner in which animals are treated worldwide. For additional information, visit www.lcanimal.org.
Additional footage and artwork is available upon request.
CONTACT:
Nikki Pesusich
Coterie Media
818.788.7650
nikki@coteriemedia.com
Chris DeRose
LCA
310.271.6096 x-23
derose@lcanimal.org
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The following pictures are available for download:
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