Roaming animals are a common sight in what's now the no-man's land around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant wrecked by the quake and tsunami that hit Japan last March.
They're managing to survive in the ghost towns within the 20-kilometre nuclear exclusion zone around the plant.
Ten months after the disaster that unleashed the world's worst nuclear accident in a quarter of a century efforts are underway to reunite as many as possible with their owners.
The United Kennel Club Japan is housing more than 250 dogs and 100 cats it's rescued from the contaminated area.
UKC Representative Director Yasunori Hoso says catching the abandoned animals is no easy task.
SOUNDBITE: UKC Representative Director Yasunori Hoso saying (Japanese):
"While they used to be friendly, as more and more time goes by they become more and more distrustful of us. At first they had a sort of 'where did everyone go?' attitude but now, after a few months have passed by, they keep a certain distance away and then run."
The UKC tries to trace the original owners of the animals it brings to its shelters.
Some are unable to take back their pets because they're not allowed in the temporary housing they now call home.
Some, like this resident still looking for his cat, are making risky forays into the exclusion zone with food.
SOUNDBITE: Unidentified resident saying (Japanese):
"I just want it to stay alive, so I try to come once a month to leave food. I just want my cat to stay alive and that's why I do it."
Japan's Environment Ministry says about 2, 400 square kilometres of land around the Fukushima plant, about the size of Luxembourg, may need decontamination.
Not every abandoned animal has managed to survive the ordeal.
For those which have the future is still very uncertain.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
