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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 19th January 2022
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Two thousand hamsters in Hong Kong to be culled
The measures have sparked backlash from animal rights campaigners and pet lovers.
The animals have been ordered to be euthanised following an outbreak of COVID-19.

Authorities in Hong Kong ordered 2,000 hamsters to be culled yesterday (18 January), after 11 hamsters in a pet shop tested positive for COVID-19.

After a worker at the Little Boss pet shop in Causeway Bay tested positive for the Delta variant of the virus, the animals were tested, and officials say that 11 hamsters were found to be infected. 

As a result of China's zero-tolerance COVID policy, Hong Kong has ordered approximately 2,000 hamsters to be put down, and has stopped imports and sales of the rodents. 

People who have brought a hamster from the Little Boss pet shop since 22 December 2021 have been ordered to hand over their pet to be euthanised. 

There has been a backlash from animal rights campaigners and pet owners against the measures. Hong Kong's local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals called the action 'drastic' in a statement issued on Facebook. 

The organisation commented: “The SPCA is shocked and concerned over the recent government announcement on the handling of over 2,000 small animals, which did not take animal welfare and the human-animal bond into consideration. 

“The SPCA sincerely hopes the AFCD will not take any further drastic action before reviewing its approach. The SPCA will urgently liaise with the AFCD to discuss alternative approaches. 

“We urge pet owners not to panic or abandon their pets.” 

A petition on change.org, entitled 'Stop the Government from Wrongfully Euthanising Little Boss' Small Pets', has reached over 26,000 signatures so far, with the number of signatories continuing to increase steadily. 

Members of a group named 'Hong Kong the Cute Hamster Group' on the Telegram social media app have been contacted by almost 3,000 volunteers willing to temporarily take care of unwanted animals, as reported by reuters. 

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Voting opens for BEVA Council

News Story 1
 Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.

There are five candidates standing for four available places on Council. They are:

  • Alexandre Triguino
  • Angela Jones
  • Beth Bryant
  • Holly Rees
  • Hugh Somerville
Full profiles for each candidate can be found on the BEVA website. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Milk recalled over presence of veterinary medicines

Graham's Family Dairy has issued a recall for its semi-skimmed milk due to the presence of veterinary medicines in the product.

In a risk statement, the Food Standards Agency said the presence of the medicines, including penicillin, make the milk unsafe to consume and 'may be a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to antibiotics'.

Customers who bought the product are advised to return it to the store of purchase for a full refund.