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

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

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 ?

POST

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

Karen Klinck 4 years ago

Reminds me of New Orleans after the hurricane.

7points

Cecilia Garcia 4 years ago

Laws were changed after Katrina.

1point

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Night Owl 4 years ago

Heros. I hope they won't get in trouble with the police (or the government)

4points

Cynthia Sterling 4 years ago

I'm so happy these animals are being rescued :-)

3points

Anggi Santika 4 years ago

Most likely because the owners left for Chinese New Year holiday and didn't expect to not be able to go home. Wuhan was locked down 1 day before Chinese New Year holiday began. A lot of people already went for holidays. And also there are those in quarantine..

3points

deanna woods 4 years ago

These people are doing some amazing work and I'll bet that the pets' owners are very happy to know that their pets are safe and being taken care of. I like Bored Panda and think that it is a wonderful website, the only problem is all the ignorant people who enjoy being trolls, being rude and negative, or take every opportunity they can to have a political debate. Maybe if we stop downvoting them and feeding them with aggravated comments they might stop saying these horrible things they say. That is just a suggestion. I will probably get downvoted and that is okay.

3points

Meeow 4 years ago

More video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvCmYk_f1uw Thanks to these people go around people houses and saved these fur babies.

1point

Demi Zwaan 4 years ago

They wouldn't be able to stop me from going back home to my pets. I'm not leaving them to starve. If those rescuers can get there, so can the owners (unless they are sick or dead obviously).

1point

Janine B. 4 years ago

It's China. I'm afraid they would be able to stop you. That's what it makes even more sad.

3points

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Chris Watson 4 years ago

In places like China... disobey??? You disappear!

1point

M O'Connell 4 years ago

I think you fail to understand the seriousness of an infectious-disease quarantine.

0points

Jude Mignacca 4 years ago (edited)

Please please everyone try to google a web address to donate to any organization rescuing in Wuhan and in China anywhere! There is a web address listed a the end of this article: furryangelshaven@163.com

0points

Karen Klinck 4 years ago

As of 2/25, over half of China is on lockdown, and heaven alone knows how their pets are faring. I can only hope there are more rescuers, and that t

0points

Jude Mignacca 4 years ago

Please everyone, try to google where you can donate to organizations that are rescuing. This article has a web address: furryangelshaven@163.com.

0points

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DC 4 years ago

From a european point of view, I generally see the chinese government - now and before - is actually chosing to "play the hard game" or "take serious actions" and showing compassion towards any individual seems to be against their so-called communist partie's principle, as taking hard knocks, psychologically seen, can replace achieving anything. And this sucks big time. I am (we are) lucky to live somewhere we can tell our government to go f**k themselves if they required us to leave alone pets or helpless family members - which, essentially, is what a pet is. A cat is the most beloved cousin of 25 millionth degree ... or so...

0points

Joe Bloe 4 years ago

At least there are some asians left that respect nature and animal life, instead of the brainwashed and bought masses of the Chinese Communist Party that would kill their own mothers for a dollar

0points

Cecilia Garcia 4 years ago

How ironic, many Chinese started throwing their cats out the windows when the rumors started about being transmitted from animals to people. The article showed dead cats all over the sidewalk, the humane society had to scramble to stop them. But as a devoted dog and cat lover, I don't understand eating them.

-1point

Katinka Min 4 years ago (edited)

Aww man, a dogs worst nightmare: the owner just leaves, never returns and they die a slow death. I just don't get it: Corona is not nearly as deadly as the flue. Why is there such crazyness gogin on?

-1point

Iva Kazalova 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Al Jones 4 years ago

Many (if not all) the owners will have had zero choice. And imagine trying to defy an authoritarian regime in the midst of a huge virus outbreak. It's too easy to judge sometimes.

9points

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Jeff Requier 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 4 years ago

Yes, it is, they are risking themselves to help others, that's the literal definition of a hero.

25points

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sharron lynn parsons 4 years ago

What ? this is about saving lives, it is what the pet owners want, are you heartless ???

11points

John C 4 years ago

Don't feed the troll, folks.

9points

Candice Ravel 4 years ago

You're an a*****e. The owners are pleading for rescuers to save their animals and as such are quite aware that they'll have to break in. Hope you don't have animals - you don't deserve them based on your comment.

7points

POST

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

Karen Klinck 4 years ago

Reminds me of New Orleans after the hurricane.

7points

Cecilia Garcia 4 years ago

Laws were changed after Katrina.

1point

Load More Replies...

Night Owl 4 years ago

Heros. I hope they won't get in trouble with the police (or the government)

4points

Cynthia Sterling 4 years ago

I'm so happy these animals are being rescued :-)

3points

Anggi Santika 4 years ago

3points

deanna woods 4 years ago

3points

Meeow 4 years ago

More video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvCmYk_f1uw Thanks to these people go around people houses and saved these fur babies.

1point

Demi Zwaan 4 years ago

They wouldn't be able to stop me from going back home to my pets. I'm not leaving them to starve. If those rescuers can get there, so can the owners (unless they are sick or dead obviously).

1point

Janine B. 4 years ago

It's China. I'm afraid they would be able to stop you. That's what it makes even more sad.

3points

Load More Replies...

Chris Watson 4 years ago

In places like China... disobey??? You disappear!

1point

M O'Connell 4 years ago

I think you fail to understand the seriousness of an infectious-disease quarantine.

0points

Jude Mignacca 4 years ago (edited)

0points

Karen Klinck 4 years ago

As of 2/25, over half of China is on lockdown, and heaven alone knows how their pets are faring. I can only hope there are more rescuers, and that t

0points

Jude Mignacca 4 years ago

Please everyone, try to google where you can donate to organizations that are rescuing. This article has a web address: furryangelshaven@163.com.

0points

Load More Replies...

DC 4 years ago

0points

Joe Bloe 4 years ago

At least there are some asians left that respect nature and animal life, instead of the brainwashed and bought masses of the Chinese Communist Party that would kill their own mothers for a dollar

0points

Cecilia Garcia 4 years ago

-1point

Katinka Min 4 years ago (edited)

Aww man, a dogs worst nightmare: the owner just leaves, never returns and they die a slow death. I just don't get it: Corona is not nearly as deadly as the flue. Why is there such crazyness gogin on?

-1point

Iva Kazalova 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Al Jones 4 years ago

Many (if not all) the owners will have had zero choice. And imagine trying to defy an authoritarian regime in the midst of a huge virus outbreak. It's too easy to judge sometimes.

9points

Load More Replies...

Jeff Requier 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 4 years ago

Yes, it is, they are risking themselves to help others, that's the literal definition of a hero.

25points

Load More Replies...

sharron lynn parsons 4 years ago

What ? this is about saving lives, it is what the pet owners want, are you heartless ???

11points

John C 4 years ago

Don't feed the troll, folks.

9points

Candice Ravel 4 years ago

7points

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

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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