Thread by @WilliamYang120

On #HongKong's hamster rescue mission - "Social-media groups sprang up to prevent hamsters from being handed in, collecting the pets and connecting them with foster homes and prospective owners." wsj.com/articles/the-g…

"Some veterinarian nurses stayed up all night to make hamster care packages to distribute to animal adopters. Other volunteers searched for abandoned hamsters in city parks and around garbage areas."

"After seeing calls for help on a Facebook group dedicated to rescuing hamsters, she jumped in a cab to a government center, where volunteers sought to stop people from surrendering their pets."

“There are no words for my love of hamsters. They’re family,” said Ms. Heung. “When I didn’t have a single friend in preschool, hamsters were what kept me company.”

"Two of her four pet hamsters, Little Sis and Fatty Sis, are direct descendants of the original hamster couple she had many generations ago. She said she is drawn to their round eyes and quivering noses."

"When a mother and her two young children appeared at the center, carrying a small metal tin with a punctured cover so the hamster inside could breathe, she intervened."

“If you let us take it, we can bring it to a vet to check if it’s OK, and perhaps give it a chance to live,” Ms. Wong beseeched the family, while other volunteers clasped their hands and nodded vigorously.

"After several minutes, the mother agreed. The group heaved a sigh of relief and cooed over the silver-white creature shuffling around a bed of hay."

"Shortly after the government’s announcement of the cull, a group of enthusiasts spread word of plans to launch a nonfungible token to commemorate the doomed rodents and help raise funds for animal charities. The NFT’s name: Carries Hamsters, after the city’s leader, Carrie Lam."

“They cannot take them away from you unless you sign a waiver and give them permission to,” said Kim McCoy, founder of a local animal advocacy group. The culling order doesn’t take into account the bond formed between owners and their pets, he said.

"In Hong Kong, volunteer drivers took rescued hamsters to clinics. Others brought water and food pellets. In total on Thursday, they saved 15 hamsters at this one center alone."

"Kirsten Mitchell, founder of a Hong Kong animal-rescue charity, said in recent days she has received about 10 phone calls from volunteers offering to take in hamsters. One said she was willing to take hamsters 'en masse.'"

“What we’re advising people is if your hamster is not sick, don’t bring it out, don’t go on hamster playdates right now, leave your hamster at home where it’s safe,” she said. “It’s kind of in their own little quarantine.”