As a hamster sample from a pet shop tested positive for COVID-19 virus, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced on 18 January 2022 that in order to reduce the possible risk of COVID-19 transmission and protect the public Safety, in addition to the hamsters from the pet shop involved, the public is strongly advised to hand over the hamsters purchased at the end of December 2021 to the department for humane treatment.
Foreign studies have confirmed that in a laboratory environment, once hamsters are infected with 2019-nCoV, the virus can effectively reproduce and spread among the infected hamster groups, which will greatly increase the spread of the virus to humans or other animals. risk of transmission.
Written by: Life and Death Education Society
It may be a traumatic experience for a child to give up a beloved pet to the authorities for humane destruction. How can parents accompany their child to face parting?
(File photo/Photo by Ou Jiale)
Citizens described handing over the hamster as a helpless choice, and they felt uneasy after struggling for a long time.
Some parents said that the hamster was given to his son as a birthday present. The son still did not accept that the hamster would be destroyed humanely.
When bringing the cage with the rat.
The son "passed and robbed all the time when I walked in," and believed that hamsters also had life.
During the process of sending the hamster away, the son cried violently, crying, "Dianjie wants to send him away".
As a parent, seeing his son's reaction is "heartbroken".
Another parent pointed out that after her daughter learned that the hamster was going to be sent away, she "shouted" and even put a note with "Cangcang I love you" in the cage.
Some tips for parents
Adults feel helpless, and children can be even more overwhelmed.
Learning that a child was about to give up a beloved pet to the authorities for humane destruction, the Life and Death Education Society considers it a traumatic experience for the child.
I hope to take this opportunity to discuss some tips that parents can do.
1. A child's mental journey in the face of losing a beloved pet:
1. Do not believe in sending pets to humane destruction.
unwilling to accept the fact
2. Get angry, lose your temper, take back pets you want to give away
3. Sad, crying
4. Loss of appetite, decreased sleep quality, nightmares
2. Parents can refer to the following points to help their children face the grief of losing a pet:
1. Explain the reason for being separated from the pet.
Inform adults that they are unwilling, unhappy but helpless. For the health of their families, they can only follow the practice of experts.
You can say, "I can feel your reluctance to give up your beloved little hamster. I'm just as reluctant as you are. It's okay if you want to cry, and I'll be with you."
2. Listen more and speak less.
Listen carefully to your child's feelings, and show empathy that your family feels the same.
Deal with anxiety and comfort it.
Hug the child and give him a sense of security.
You can say, "You can tell how you feel, and I'll listen to you slowly; or draw a picture, or any other way to express your feelings, as long as you don't hurt yourself and other people or damage objects."
3. During the process, let them understand that family members can face difficulties together and reduce their loneliness.
You can say: "Although you won't see the hamster in the future, your concern for it will not disappear suddenly. You will still be sad for a while, and I will accompany you and go through the sad days with you."
4. Discuss with your child how to deal with the fact of separation.
Let the children express their inner love and remorse.
It may be suggested that the child take a picture of the hamster and make a card for the hamster.
Let the hamster know that the child loves it very much, and its short life brings him many happy moments.
Praise the child for what he did to the hamster and everything he did for it.
5. The concept of death (absolute, permanent, and irreversible death) is maturely understood by children around seven years of age or older.
They may have a lot of repetitive questions, and parents need to be patient because they are learning to lose the experience.
Give time and space to let the pain heal slowly.
The above are some suggestions from the Life and Death Education Society. You can help children face the grief of losing pets according to the actual situation and family culture.
Welcome everyone to respond, brainstorm and grow wisdom, and benefit the public.
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