Devastating earthquakes hit Venezuela on June 24 injuring and displacing thousands. The search continues for missing people and pets with some miraculous stories of survival.

Hospitals and rescue centers are overwhelmed with the number of injured and missing people and pets, so a local restaurant has stepped up to offer a safe, air-conditioned space for people and pets in need of care.

McDonald's in Caraballeda, Venezuela, is operating as a makeshift hospital and pet rescue center while also still providing food. People are finding comfort and care under the golden arches and are forever grateful. 

Locals are referring to it as "Hospital McDonald's". Earthquake survivors in need of triage or in search of a missing pet can get the help they need. 

According to the Associated Press, veterinarian Angel Matute and 70 other veterinarians, doctors, students, and volunteers from Barquisimeto arrived in Caraballeda to help survivors and "set up shop" in McDonald's. 

Matute helps coordinate pet rescue missions and has so far helped rescue 140 animals and treated 60 more. The team plans to remain in the area and hopes to reunite more families with their pets. 

One of the grateful pet owners is Gabriela Alves who was desperately searching for her six-year-old dog named Buddy in the rubble of her former home. She checked daily at Hospital McDonald's to see if her dog was found while also returning to the rubble to call and search for Buddy. 

After eight days of searching and not finding him, Alves started to lose hope. But she returned and continued to call his name and suddenly heard a bark and spotted his white ear in the rubble. She called for help and rescuers were able to save him. 

Buddy licked the face of his rescuers as he was deposited into the arms of his mom. She hasn't let him go since. He was brought back to Hospital McDonald's where he was examined and treated. 

Alves said, "Right now, with all the tragedy of the earthquake, it’s one positive thing in all the bad." 

Check out the rescue video below.

Join us in helping earthquake survivors by sending crucial aid now. Our partner, Greater Good Charities, is mobilizing emergency relief, including food and critical aid supplies, while assessing needs with organizations on the ground. Help distribute emergency packs and food to communities who need it most.