‘My Dog is my Family’: Pet Owners Respond to Misinformation around Coronavirus

As the country battles with the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19), social media is flooded with misinformation around the highly contagious virus. One piece of misinformation which is harming the society in the most significant manner is about pets and animals spreading the disease caused by a coronavirus.

Getting influenced by it, many pet parents are abandoning animals in an attempt to keep themselves and their families safe. However, both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have denied any such claims.

“CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with Covid-19.”

Speaking to ANI about the current scenario of fear, Sudesna Sharma, the owner of a dog said, “What people need to understand is Covid-19 does not spread through animals like dogs. I have read news like people are abandoning pets just because they are scared of the spread. It’s absolutely unnecessary.”

When asked about how she is taking care of her pets in the tough times that the country is facing, Sudesna said, “Right now I am a bit overprotective about my babies. Clean diet and hygiene are what I am following. And most importantly ignoring remarks from people who are telling me it’s not safe to keep them.”

“Would your parents abandon you just because you’re sick? No right? It’s the same with them. My dog is my family and I would never abandon him,” said another pet parent Shreya Roy.

With a bounce in the cases of coronavirus, many cities are under lockdown which seems to be the only way to prevent the spread of the virus. But at the same time, it can pose a serious threat to pets and many pet parents are currently focusing on stocking up a good amount of food for their pawed family member.

“Safety sure is important but since dogs are safe from corona my attention is more towards stocking enough food for him in case of a complete lockdown,” Roy told ANI.

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Please note: This article is not edited by DogExpress Team!