BOGOR, Indonesia 鈥 Four-year-old Indonesian pit听bull Gledis was home alone for two days without food when a group of volunteers found her.听听
She is among many pets left behind when their owners tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and were hospitalized or placed in isolation.听听
With more than 3.7 million confirmed cases and over 100,000 deaths, Indonesia is battling one of the worst coronavirus epidemics in Asia.听听
The 鈥淎D-19 program鈥 launched last month by rights group Animal Defenders helps pets left in limbo while their owners deal with coronavirus infections.听听
The pets picked up by Animal Defenders usually get a checkup before going to an existing animal shelter. The AD-19 program has in the past month added 40 dogs and four cats to more than 160 guests already at the shelter.听听
Founder Doni听Herdaru听Tona听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 ($8,340) to run each month. No donations or payments are accepted from owners.听听
Concerns about virus transmission from animal to human also complicated the situation and meant many pets were abandoned, Mr. Doni said.听听
Veterinarian Magda听Rumawas听said people should not be overly worried and recommends COVID-19 patients in self-isolation keep pets by their side to ease anxiety.听听
鈥淭hey 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,鈥 Ms. Magda said.听听
The AD-19 rescue mission is tailored to the needs of pet owners, and includes bathing, feeding and the cleaning of cages.听听
鈥淲e will do everything according to the owner鈥檚 request,鈥 said Mr. Doni.听听
Usually听pets are returned to their owners upon their recovery. But in some cases, owners do not return.听听
鈥淭he scariest part is our mobile phone is mostly filled by reports of owners who had passed away, and their pets are abandoned,鈥 said Mr. Doni. 鈥斕Heru听Asprihanto/Reuters听听
