In the event of a disaster or crisis, our foremost priority is to save ourselves and our families. And if you’ve owned pets you’d know they are family too.

While a majority of people choose the easy option of letting their pets go, there are others who refuse to leave them, no matter what. In fact, there have been instances when humans grabbed their pets first before everything else in the toughest times.

1. When migrant workers in India chose to walk hundreds of miles back home, with their pets, amid the coronavirus lockdown.

2. When people of Beirut did not forget about their pets after the massive blasts and went searching for them in the wreckage.

View this post on Instagram

Call for SEARCH PARTY Photo shows happy reunion from yesterday search! Our hearts go to all the people who were affected, go to all those who lost people, those who were injured and those who lost their homes. But there are also the animals that need help. Many pets were lost or injured during the explosion and they still need help. Animals Lebanon team has been on the ground since yesterday organizing search teams for all the displaced pets during this horrific disaster. We got countless reports of helpless people who lost everything they have including their pets. We want to help as much as possible and we know many people who also want to help. If you want to join our search party please meet us: The team is on the ground today too! Gathering point – Hawa chicken Ashrafieh Time – 2 pm Many more volunteers are needed!! If you want to join the search team send us your number to contact@animalslebanon.org and we will coordinate Bring your mask, water, solid shoes and cage carriers / leashes if you have. And if you can help with car or motorcycle to move the animals. STAY SAFE #lebanon #majorexplosion #ALreacuesearchteam #reacueaearchteam #animalwelfare #animalslebanon

A post shared by Animals Lebanon (@animalslebanon) on

View this post on Instagram

SEARCH PARTY – continued efforts Our hearts will always be with the people, those who got affected, those who lost people, those who were injured and those who lost their homes. But there are also the animals that need help. Many pets were lost or injured during the explosion and they still need help. People are calling on us daily to help rescue their own pets who got stuck or lost during the explosion Animals Lebanon team has been on the ground since day one organizing search teams for all the displaced pets during this horrific disaster. Over 200 volunteers have been with us on the ground, coming from all over Lebanon and we are so grateful for their amazing support! Our efforts have reunited over 70 animals with their guardians. So many of the guardians have been injured and were so happy to see their pets again. Search and Rescue will continue today. WE URGENTLY NEED VOLUNTEERS with MOTORCYCLES to help us move around the affected areas. Gathering point – next to Hawa chicken Ashrafieh/Tabaris – our tent is set up in the small garden after hawa chicken Time – 1 pm Contact us at contact@animalslebanon.org for help if: – You are looking for your lost pet – If there is an injured animal. we will cover the cost – You need food and supplies for your pet – You have found a pet that you believe belongs to someone To help us continue our mission please DONATE through PayPal – https://www.animalslebanon.org/get-involved/more-ways-to-give STAY SAFE #beirutblast #lebanon #searchandrescue #ALsearchandrescue #animalrescue #animalwelfare #animalslebanon

A post shared by Animals Lebanon (@animalslebanon) on

3. When a Kerala woman refused to leave her house unless her dogs, all strays or abandoned pets, were rescued too, during the 2018 floods.

BBC

Eventually, an animal rescue group had to be called in to relocate her and her family of 25 pet and stray dogs.

BBC

4. When a woman from Chennai chose to eat only once a day so that she could save enough for her 13 dogs amid the coronavirus lockdown in India.

TOI

5. When Texans refused to leave their pets behind in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

This woman carried her dog, Simba, on her shoulders as she was forced to evacuate her house in Houston.

Huffpost

And this man who carried his dog Bruce through flood waters.

6. When a hardware store owner in Massachusetts rescued his pet birds, after his building caught fire.

7. When the Japanese people chose to sleep in their cars with their pets in the aftermath of the 2016 earthquake as pets weren’t allowed into the evacuation centres.

Straits Times

8. When people of Australia took shelter in a car parking along with their pets amid the raging bushfires.

BBC

These instances prove that our bond with animals goes far deeper than just companionship and restore our faith in humanity.