Fukushima pets abandoned by their owners after the nuclear accident that followed the tsunami in the Japanese city last year are in danger of freezing in the cold winter condition, WESH.com reported on Friday.

The pets, mostly dogs and cats, that were abandoned in the Fukushima nuclear accident exclusion zone are now struggling with the extreme winter condition and they all could die from freezing if they’re not rescued as soon as possible.

Last December, some animal welfare groups were allowed by the government to enter the evacuation zone to save abandoned Fukushima pets in the upcoming winter weather. However, there were still a number of dogs and cats left in the area to date according to a report by Yasunori Hoso of the United Kennel Club of Japan, and they are in danger of hypothermia if not rescued in the couple of days.

Some of the 150,000 people who left Fukushima exclusion area area pleading to rescue their pets since March of last year, but the government only allowed the search last December.

More than 100 dogs and cats are believed to be still roaming in the area because of the found footprints in the snow and rescuers are running out of time.

Watch a video report by WESH.com here. (Warning: Graphic Images)