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According to MailOnline, to reduce the spread of coronavirus, village officials in some Chinese cities have ordered citizens to get rid of pets, to stop keeping them or risk having them taken away.

As China tries different strategies to deal with the virus, some residential committees, companies and village officials in provinces have urged citizens to deal with their pets. Notices given to the MailOnline show orders from officials to dispose of dogs and cats immediately to prevent them from carrying the virus.

According to the MailOnline, China’s expert on infectious disease said the pets would need quarantine if they were exposed to patients with coronavirus. The World Health Organization disputes any claims that the virus can be passed onto cats or dogs.

Dr Peter J. Li, China Policy Specialist of Humane Society International, told the MailOnline that the organization had seen memos about banning and killing cats and dogs. He told the MailOnline, “This is not the right approach for local authorities in China to deal with the national crisis that can be traced to China’s out-of-control wildlife trade. Companion animals did not contribute to the outbreak of SARS in 2002-2003. They do not have anything to do with the Wuhan epidemic.”

Coronavirus has been linked to a food market in Wuhan and is connected to the global wildlife trade. China has temporarily banned the wildlife trade as the virus continues to spread.

Click here to sign the petition to ban the wildlife trade for good.

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You can avoid getting sick by reducing your dairy and meat consumption. Eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

Interested in joining the dairy-free and meatless train? We highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

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