Venezuelans search for animal companions lost in the quakes

Hundreds of pets displaced by Venezuela's devastating earthquakes are still waiting to be reunited with their owners or adopted by new families, one month after the twin disasters killed thousands and left tens of thousands homeless.

Cats, dogs, turtles and even a goat were among the animals left without homes after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck within a minute of each other on 24 June.

The quakes killed more than 5,000 people, injured around 17,000 and displaced over 23,000 residents in the worst-hit coastal state of La Guaira.

As families continue to recover from the disaster, many have been visiting temporary animal shelters in search of missing pets.

"When the earthquake happened, we ran out and she stayed behind. I haven't been able to find her since that day," said 42-year-old Raquel Ramos, who has been searching for her cat, Mia.

Ramos, who was with her young son in the Tanaguarena neighbourhood when the earthquakes struck, said she deeply regretted leaving the cat behind.

"I'm going to other shelters to see if I can find her," she said.

At a state-run shelter in La Guaira, dogs roam freely in open areas while cats are housed in cages. The facility has taken in 326 animals, around 50 of which have already been adopted.

Seventeen-year-old Astrid Ugas had planned to adopt one cat after her own pet lost its companion during the disaster. Instead, she left with four kittens.

"I want to help everyone who needs it," she said.

Rescuers recently found a cat alive beneath the rubble of a collapsed building nearly a month after the earthquakes, raising hopes that more missing pets may still be alive.

The animal was rescued from an area where six residential buildings, ranging from 12 to 17 storeys, had collapsed.

Veterinary teams treated the cat before transferring it to a temporary shelter set up inside a McDonald's restaurant, which had also served as an emergency outpatient centre after the quakes.

"We've treated about 50 animals a day, including dogs, cats, turtles, and someone even brought a goat," said volunteer and veterinary student Yanier Veliz.

At another shelter, several rescued cats have given birth and are caring for their newborn kittens while awaiting permanent homes.

Veterinary student Amanda Gonzalez said many owners had already been reunited with their pets.

"The reunions have been very emotional. Everyone ends up crying," she said.

"These are animals they thought were gone forever. When they discover they're here, they're overjoyed—and so are we."