Covid-19 has infected more than 100,000 people and killed more than 4,000 and counting. It’s not just humans that are impacted by the spread of this pandemic.
Animals in Wuhan, the city that triggered the virus, have died or are at risk of dying after residents evacuated their homes in the wake of lockdown.
“Many pets have been left behind in apartments in Wuhan when residents evacuated. Also in other areas such as Beijing, Dalian, Xi’an” said Wendy Higgins, director of international media at Humane Society International.
“Estimates are impossible, but we do know that in Wuhan, for example, animal activists have assisted with animals in upwards of 1,000 apartments. So, the numbers nationwide will be significant,” she added.
The primary risk faced by animals is starvation. Residents who were forced to leave their pets behind usually left enough food and water to last them for a few days thinking they will be able to return soon.
After a month they evacuated, most of the residents did not return to their homes. Vshine Animal Protection Association, China-based animal welfare, and environmental organization Partners with Humane Society International estimated the number of pets left behind in apartments in Hubei cities are in the tens of thousands.
“Things can get worse if the epidemic remains uncontrolled,” said Deng Fang, chief of staff for Vshine Animal Protection Association.
Vshine has received at least around 400 calls for help in the city of Dailan alone, and they have helped save around 380 dogs and cats that were left behind, said Fang.
Source: CNN