Animal rights activist have revealed a 'pets-in-the-post' scheme being run in China. Documented in the South China Morning Post, the story has caused widespread public outrage.
Several Chinese companies have been running schemes in which live animals are sent to purchasers via the mail system, a practice that is cruel and highly dangerous. In some cases, online vendors are selling 'lucky bags' as a gimmick, individuals picking the type of animal they want, be it cat, dog, rabbit etc., but they are given a surprise as to the type and colour of the animal. Some animals are sold for as little as $1.50 US.
The practice of selling or transporting live animals through the postal service is illegal in China. However, many are breaking the rules and authorities seem uninterested in cracking down on the crime.
Isobel Zhang, co-founder of ACTAsia, an animal rights group, said after learning of the story:
"It's not just the vendors who lack a conscience, but consumers too. Would you put a three-year-old child in a gift box?"
A spokesperson for the Szcat Animal Protection Volunteer Association, based in China, added in a statement to reporters:
"If people casually buy pets online simply because they are cheaper, how can you expect them to take due care of them? The often rough processing and handling of courier packages is not at all suitable for moving animals. It would be very frightening for them."
An online investigation into the pets-by-post practice found turtles, dogs, rabbits, hamsters and cats for sale online with prices ranging from $1.50 US to $155. Another site was selling puppies, including Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers, all of which would be delivered by post.
Tragedies involving animals and the Chinese postal service are not uncommon. In late 2020, 5,000 animals were found dead in a postal shipping depot. The dead animals included cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. Most were cramped in tiny boxes. It is thought that those shipping the animals did not properly assess at what time they would be shipped, meaning they were left without food or water or fresh-air for a considerable period of time. By the time the depot was opened, many of the animals were already dead,more had to be euthanised later.
[h/t: inkstonenews]
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