What the Hey! Stop Abandoning Pets

The pandemic of Coronavirus shows no sign of abating. While we must exercise precaution in such a situation, some people seem to have taken social-distancing to inhumane heights by abandoning their pets. 

Amidst the many rumours floating around, one of them is that your beloved pets can infect you with the COVID-19, which is completely untrue.     

"The strain of Coronavirus in dogs is completely different to that of humans and so are the Coronavirus vaccinations that are often used on pets. So, a dog or cat cannot infect you. Even the Indian Veterinary Association has specified that humans cannot contract COVID-19 from pets. However, there may be a risk of the animal getting infected if it comes in contact with a human who has tested positive for this virus," says Dr Vikash Kumar, veterinary physician and consultant, Pet & Vet Clinic. 

 

He adds, "Even if an animal that has not been vaccinated bites you the likelihood of you getting infected with COVID-19 is nil. You are not at risk of contracting this from your pet at all. If there was even 1 per cent chance of such a thing happening, veterinarians all over the world would have been the first to contract this virus! So, DO NOT abandon your animals and instead keep them safe in such times, after all they are like your family."

If you see an abandoned animal...

With 242 active cases of COVID-19 in the country at the time of filing, deserting your pet because of a rumour is not only morally reprehensible but also against the law.   

"Abandoning an animal is an offence under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and amounts to cruelty. If COVID 19 came from animals, it was from stressed and immunocompromised bats or pangolins in wet markets where they are killed and sold, NOT from dogs and cats who live in our homes. In Maharashtra, our State Animal Welfare Board has passed an order informing people that house pets can’t give them COVID-19. If you see an abandoned dog, immediately call your local society for the prevention of cruelty to animals or animal husbandry office so that they can take the animal to the nearest NGO. Follow up with the officers and render all the help you can to animals in distress in this difficult time," says Ambika Hiranandani, lawyer and member of the State of Maharashtra Animal Welfare Board.

Dr Vikash adds, "Nobody can abandon a pet on a whim. We have the animal welfare board and many NGOs that are working towards this. In fact, Smt Maneka Gandhi herself spoke in a recent interview that animals cannot transmit Coronavirus. So, do not believe factually incorrect Whatsapp messages on this issue that are just causing mass hysteria. Do not abandon your pets and report those who do."