- Title: Indonesia animal-lovers help pets left behind by coronavirus
- Date: 16th August 2021
- Summary: BOGOR, WEST JAVA PROVINCE, INDONESIA (AUGUST 10, 2021) (REUTERS) A VOLUNTEER FROM ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUP 'ANIMAL DEFENDER' BATHING A FEMALE PITBULL NAMED 'GLEDIS', SIGN ON FENCE READING (Bahasa Indonesia): "BEWARE OF FIERCE DOG" VARIOUS OF GLEDIS BEING BATHED VARIOUS OF ANIMAL DEFENDER FOUNDER, DONI HERDARU TONA, LOOKING ON VOLUNTEER TAKING GLEDIS OUT VARIOUS OF ACTIVISTS PUTTING GLEDIS INTO CAGE VARIOUS OF ACTIVISTS CARRYING CAGE INTO CAR (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) SISTER OF COVID-19 PATIENT AND DOG OWNER, HERLINA KURNIAWAN SAYING: "My younger brother was treated for dengue fever two days ago, but when he did a PCR test he was tested positive for COVID-19. And he was thinking about the dog because he said the dog hasn't eaten for two days." GLEDIS AT THE VETERINARIAN GLEDIS BEING CHECKED GLEDIS VARIOUS OF VETERINARIAN, MAGDA RUMAWAS, CHECKING GLEDIS AND CLEANING ITS EAR (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) VETERINARIAN, MAGDA RUMAWAS SAYING: "A lot of people who are tested positive for COVID-19 asked me what should they do with their dogs? It would be good if the dogs are there to accompany the owners during self-isolation because they can keep the people entertained, and they can help to reduce stress, which is good, But my advise is, do not hug and kiss the dogs because it (the dog) may carry the droplets with coronavirus. That doesn't mean the dog is sick but it can be a carrier, therefore it is not advisable for the healthy people to hug the dogs."
- Embargoed: 30th August 2021 02:59
- Keywords: COVID-19 evacuation pandemic pets shelter volunteer
- Location: JAKARTA, PARUNG, BOGOR, INDONESIA
- City: JAKARTA, PARUNG, BOGOR, INDONESIA
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA001EQJ2N2F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Four-year-old Indonesian pitbull Gledis was home alone for two days without food when a group of volunteers found her.
She is among many pets left behind when their owners tested positive for COVID-19 and were hospitalised or placed in isolation.
With more than 3.7 million confirmed cases and over 100,000 deaths, Indonesia is battling one of the worst coronavirus epidemics in Asia.
The "AD-19 programme" launched last month by rights group Animal Defender helps pets left in limbo while their owners deal with coronavirus infections.
The pets picked up by Animal Defender usually get a checkup before going to an existing animal shelter. The AD-19 programme has in the past month added 40 dogs and four cats to more than 160 guests already at the shelter.
Founder Doni Herdaru Tona has been selling homemade food and clothes for cats and dogs to raise cash for the care of the unsupervised pets.
His shelter costs about 120 million rupiah ($8,341) to run each month. No donations or payments are accepted from owners.
Concerns about virus transmission from animal to human also complicated the situation and meant many pets were abandoned, Doni said.
Veterinarian Magda Rumawas said people should not be overly worried and recommends COVID-19 patients in self-isolation keep the pets by their side to ease anxiety.
"They can keep people entertained and they can help to reduce stress, which is good. But my advice is, do not hug and kiss the dogs," Magda said.
The AD-19 rescue mission is tailored to the needs of pet owners, and includes bathing, feeding and the cleaning of cages.
"We will do everything according to the owner's request," said Doni.
Usually pets are returned to their owners upon their recovery. But in some cases, owners do not return.
"The scariest part is our mobile phone is mostly filled by reports of owners who had passed away, and their pets are abandoned," said Doni.
(Production: Adi Kurniawan, Heru Asprihanto, Angie Teo) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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