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Thousands Of Pets Were Left Behind Due To Corona Virus Outbreak And Lockdown, So These Volunteers Are Breaking Into Private Apartments To Rescue Them

Due to the ongoing deadly Coronavirus, thousands of pet owners can’t return to their homes after the Wuhan lockdown. Luckily, there are animal rescue groups that are doing just about everything to help the poor creatures that got left behind. Volunteers have reportedly had to break down doors and climb in through windows to get to animals left in locked apartments and houses. One rescuer estimates that approximately 20,000 animals are stranded in Wuhan, while others say the number is as high as 50,000. Fortunately, over 10 animal rescue groups are working around the clock to rescue the pets and bring them to safety.

More info: Wuhan Small Animal Protection Association | Compassion For Animals

It is estimated that tens of thousands of pets are left stranded in Wuhan

Animal Rescuers Are Breaking Down Doors Of Private Apartments To Rescue Animals Left Behind Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Image credits: Wuhan Pet Life Online

In China, a number of animal rescue groups are looking out for the pets left behind in Wuhan amidst the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Wuhan, the city that is considered to be the epicenter of the deadly virus outbreak, is home to over 11 million people and is currently under lockdown. Many pet owners have been prevented from returning home after leaving the town.

But 10 different animal rescue groups are working around the clock to save the animals

Animal Rescuers Are Breaking Down Doors Of Private Apartments To Rescue Animals Left Behind Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Image credits: Wuhan Pet Life Online

Volunteers from more than 10 different animal rescue groups are “racing against the clock” to rescue thousands of pets left behind in Wuhan, South China Morning Post reports. One veterinarian who wanted to remain anonymous has told the media that his rescue group⁠—Wuhan Pet Life⁠—has saved over 2,000 pets from all over the city since its lockdown.

The volunteers are breaking down doors and climbing through windows to get to them

Animal Rescuers Are Breaking Down Doors Of Private Apartments To Rescue Animals Left Behind Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Image credits: Wuhan Pet Life Online

“The pets were found in homes with no food and water. Their owners left their houses last month not expecting that they would not be able to return home,” one of the volunteers told Chinese media. “Pets are beginning to starve to death or die from thirst.”

The virus hasn’t been proven to transmit to animals

Animal Rescuers Are Breaking Down Doors Of Private Apartments To Rescue Animals Left Behind Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Image credits: Wuhan Pet Life Online

Although the virus hasn’t been proven to transmit from humans to animals, many people are rushing to buy masks for their pets. A veterinary epidemiologist for VCA Animal Hospitals has explained to a news outlet: “While pictures of Chinese dogs wearing face masks are showing up online, there’s no scientific evidence that these masks protect dogs from either infectious diseases or air pollutant. Dogs’ faces have a lot more variation than human faces do, meaning that a face mask designed to fit one type or breed of dog is unlikely to fit most others. Additionally, we cannot explain to a dog why we are putting something potentially scary or uncomfortable on their face.”

However, people can’t get back to Wuhan to their beloved pets

Image credits: SCMP

A leader of Wuhan Indigenous Cats group has told Chinese media that they were the first in Wuhan to provide such a rescue service after the lockdown, which came into effect on January 23rd. “We have served around 500 households so far, with 400 more to do. Our volunteers have cars. Depending on the owners’ requests, some cats are transported to owners’ friends’ homes or pet clinics for temporary stay,” the volunteer told South China Morning Post.

“[We] tried as much as we can to get into the private apartments to take pets out”

Animal Rescuers Are Breaking Down Doors Of Private Apartments To Rescue Animals Left Behind Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Image credits: Compassion For Animals

“We have helped more than 600 pets since last week. Most of them were left and locked in the apartment before the lockdown. It is very difficult to do that because we are not allowed to get into private apartments without permission. At the time, it is hard to prove that we are authorized. So we tried at least to feed them in well-secured communities. And tried as much as we can to get into the private apartments to take pets out,” Wuhan Small Animal Protection Association wrote on their Facebook on February 1st.

“We have 35 dogs and 29 cats in my rescue partner’s apartment right now”

Animal Rescuers Are Breaking Down Doors Of Private Apartments To Rescue Animals Left Behind Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Image credits: Compassion For Animals

Bored Panda has reached out to Furry Angels Haven – an animal rescue group that’s saving pets in Wuhan. They say that the past few months haven’t been easy on them. “We have lots of vet, food, and dogs’ expenses to cover. We send our dogs overseas for adoption. We have partner organizations in Canada, USA, UK, Netherlands, and [France]. Some organizations help us cover the cost of the dog air ticket, but most of the time we have to cover that too,” one of the rescuers told us. Xenia Jones – the rescuer – has told us that one of the dogs pictured above was found wandering the streets of Wuhan, helpless and hungry. The other dog was left in a pet’s store. “His owner left him there and someone was giving him food,” Xenia told Bored Panda. “We have 35 dogs and 29 cats in my rescue partner’s apartment right now. It’s really hard as almost no one can leave their homes. Getting food for animals is not easy either,” the animal lover explains.

If you’d like to contribute to the efforts, use this email furryangelshaven@163.com to donate money to Furry Angels Haven.

People online were extremely appreciative of the volunteers’ work

Animal Rescuers Are Breaking Down Doors Of Private Apartments To Rescue Animals Left Behind Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

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Neringa is a proud writer at Bored Panda who used to study English and French linguistics. Although she has many different interests, she's particularly drawn to covering stories about pop culture as well as history. While not at the office, this Panda enjoys creepy movies, poetry, photography and learning how to play the piano.

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What do you think ?

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sharron lynn parsons 4 years ago

Thank God for rescue groups, otherwise the animals would endure, a slow terrible death, if my pets were in that situation, I would want rescuers to get to them, no matter the damage to my house, they mean the world to me !!!

34points

Human #1,232,867 4 years ago

The saddest thing is that their owner may just be dead.

18points

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Martatata 4 years ago

I agree with you it's really good that they're saving all the animals, poor things must horrible, but they should do the same for people too, we mustn't forget about the 17 year old with cerebral palsy that "endure(d) a slow terrible death" and despite his father's efforts to ask people to save him they've ignored his pleas and left him to die.. No human nor animal deserves the cruelty :(

8points

Sunzilla 4 years ago

Agreed. It's a terrible situation, and it's been going on for almost two months. Not sure how the groups are coping with all the requests. So glad that kind and determined people exist.

0points

Human #1,232,867 4 years ago

Thanks BoredPanda for opening the world eye's on what is happening here. This pet story is just the tip of the iceberg of the way CCP is managing the epidemic situation. So sad. So many life are already gone.

17points

Ananas 4 years ago

Those poor babies... these guys are heroes

10points

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sharron lynn parsons 4 years ago

34points

Human #1,232,867 4 years ago

The saddest thing is that their owner may just be dead.

18points

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Martatata 4 years ago

8points

Sunzilla 4 years ago

Agreed. It's a terrible situation, and it's been going on for almost two months. Not sure how the groups are coping with all the requests. So glad that kind and determined people exist.

0points

Human #1,232,867 4 years ago

17points

Ananas 4 years ago

Those poor babies... these guys are heroes

10points

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Thousands Of Pets Were Left Behind Due To Corona Virus Outbreak And Lockdown, So These Volunteers Are Breaking Into Private Apartments To Rescue Them

It is estimated that tens of thousands of pets are left stranded in Wuhan

But 10 different animal rescue groups are working around the clock to save the animals

The volunteers are breaking down doors and climbing through windows to get to them

The virus hasn’t been proven to transmit to animals

However, people can’t get back to Wuhan to their beloved pets

“[We] tried as much as we can to get into the private apartments to take pets out”

“We have 35 dogs and 29 cats in my rescue partner’s apartment right now”

People online were extremely appreciative of the volunteers’ work

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Neringa Utaraitė

Neringa Utaraitė