A woman plays with a cat on a street in Cairo, Egypt on June 1, 2020. Fears that pets can transmit COVID-19 virus have led many owners to abandon dogs and cats, said Ahmad Shurbagy, owner of a nonprofit animal shelter, HOPE Egyptian Baladi Rescue and Rehabilitation, in southern Cairo. TO GO WITH: "Feature: Pets abandoned in Cairo amid COVID-19 spread" (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
by Marwa Yahya
CAIRO, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Fears that pets can transmit COVID-19 virus have led many owners to abandon dogs and cats, said Ahmad Shurbagy, owner of a nonprofit animal shelter, HOPE Egyptian Baladi Rescue and Rehabilitation, in southern the capital Cairo.
"Foreign dog breeds like Dobermans, Labradors, German shepherds, and golden retrievers, Siamese and Ragdoll cats have been seen roaming in the streets of Cairo without food and shelter," Shurbagy told Xinhua.
HOPE shelter, which hosts 350 strays in normal days, has received additional 13 pets in the past month. Shurbagy expressed his inability to welcome more animals due to the shortage of supplies and workers as well as the lack of space.
"At least eight cats and dogs are left outside the shelter gate every day recently in miserable conditions," Shurbagy added, noting he helped some to be transferred to other sanctuaries.
There are two veterinarians and 13 workers in the shelter, and nobody was infected by the virus, he emphasized, saying "we feel safe around the pets."
A post which went viral on Facebook on Monday for a Siamese cat with six newborn kittens has promoted the animal activists to launch campaigns "keep pets home is safe."
"Pets looked after at home are highly unlikely to spread any disease, but they could be dangerous when abandoned on the streets," said Ahmad Ghareeb, a veterinarian at Animals Lovers clinic in downtown Cairo.
"Awareness is still required among people," he said, suggesting keeping dogs and cats at bay during this pandemic.
Egypt Health Ministry announced that there is no data or evidence that dogs or cats could transmit the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19 infection.
Egypt has recorded 29,767 cases and 1,126 deaths according to official statistics on Thursday.
Egypt has imposed precautionary measures since mid-March including the closure of schools, sports clubs, and entertainment activities that keep the families at home for most of the day.
Meanwhile, some families believe that keeping their pets at home will help their kids happy and kill the long lockdown time.
"The pet owners should enjoy a kind of responsibility regarding their animals," said Wael Lotfy, a man in his forty, while walking with his golden retriever, named Loola, in one of Heliopolis street, eastern Cairo.
"I can't abandon my seven-year-old dog. He is part of my family," he said, adding Loola has helped his four-year-old boy to feel better after his nursery has been closed.
It is a big challenge to keep the dog at home for long times because all dogs like to go out, he pointed out, noting "my family became more vigilant, washing our hands more frequently and sanitizing everything."
Lotfy highlighted that the welfare of animals should not be harmed until more evidence about the virus appeared.
