Citizens express dismay over gov’t instructions to send pets to designated quarantine sites

AMMAN — The Ministry of Local Administration announced on Sunday that citizens who own specific types of pets should temporarily send them to designated quarantine sites.

In an official letter to local municipalities, the ministry has asked municipalities to reach out to citizens who own birds, cats and dogs so that their pets can be placed in quarantine.

“The pets will be housed in places especially designated for them as a precautionary measure to not transmit any infection to the public,” read the letter.

Although the ministry stressed that citizens will be subject to legal liability if they do not follow instructions, pet owners have expressed their opposition to sending away their pets on online social platforms.

“My cats could carry whatever type of disease there is and I still would not give them up. I need them for moral support and I also do not trust that they will be treated right,” said Sumaya Ishaq, an owner of two cats. 

Other pet owners said that while they do not plan on bidding a temporary farewell to their pets, they have taken precautionary measures to keep both themselves and their animals safe. 

“My dad cut up gloves and tied them around my dog’s paws as shoes so that whenever he takes him out for a walk we can make sure he has not brought anything back in,” said Maria Qudah on Twitter.