CityU launches Covid tests for pets

City University is launching a Covid testing scheme for small mammals including cats and dogs to give pet owners in Covid hotspots peace of mind and reduce animal abandonment.

Starting next Monday, testing for pets will focus on cats and dogs, with plans to adapt tests for other species.

The test, which costs HK$450, will be available from Monday to Saturday through online booking.

The university plans to work closely with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to identify and provide quarantine and professional treatment for small mammals with Covid-19.

It also plans to provide support for pet owners who test positive for Covid-19 and need to ensure their pets are well cared for while they undergo quarantine.

University president Kuo Way said: "Next to animal welfare considerations, it is clear that pets are very important to the emotional well-being of the people of Hong Kong.

"These efforts will reassure the community and further strengthen their view on the experts' Covid-19 strategy."

Duncan Hockley, executive director of the university's Veterinary Medical Center, said: "This is an important issue for the many pet owners in Hong Kong, and we are working hard to ease their anxieties by ensuring their much-loved pets receive world-class care and emphasize that there is never a reason to abandon a pet."