Cat found in a container arrived from China faces deportation from Chennai Port, PETA opposes

On February 17, a stowaway golden-white cat was found inside the container of toys that arrived from China at the Chennai Port. Though it looked a bit weak, the cat was otherwise unharmed. 

After the Chennai quarantine facility favoured sending the pet back to its suspected country of origin--which was yet to be established--PETA's India manager of veterinary services, Rashmi informed the Port trust authorities that it was scientifically established that cats could neither contract nor transmit the coronavirus.

Quoting the American Veterinary Medical Association, the PETA said, "Multiple international health organisations have indicated that pets and other domestic animals are not considered at risk for contracting COVID-19."

Pointing out it would difficult to ascertain at which point the cat had entered the container, PETA said that it was highly unlikely that it would have survived
the 10 to 20-day journey from China to Chennai without food and water.

PETA said since the ships heading for Chennai from China get docked in several places like Singapore and Colombo where the goods were offloaded
from containers, the cat could have found its way into the container at any of these stopping points.

Opposing its deportation, PETA expressed fears about the survival of the cat in China, where they were killed for meat or fur.

It also apprehended that the cat would be subjected to cruelty upon its deportation to China and PETA promised to find a permanent home in India for it after necessary tests were completed.