One of the biggest problems there is the fact that everyone goes straight in and touches all the animals. I go there regularly to see what's going on and everytime I go, there are always at least 2 or 3 animals with ringworm.
Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection which is transferable to humans and other animals through contact. Although not dangerous and easily treated, it is annoying and can take a while to clear up, therefore risking being spread to other humans and animals. Children are normally the first to run over to the animals and touch them, and then go over and touch another. They could quite easily spread ringworm to 10 or 15 different animals whilst they are at the Souq and then take it home and spread it to the family as well.
Conjunctivitis can also be found in many of the persian-typed cats and kittens and this is also transferable to humans through direct contact. Again, not particularly dangerous and easily treated, but I'd still rather not catch it!
The animals are kept in small cages, with little to no food or water, out in the heat and are constantly poked, prodded and patted by everyone who goes past which is incredibly stressful. I've lost count of the number of times I've personally seen small children being handed bunnies and kittens that they then drop onto the concrete because they are scared of them!
There are also a number of animals there that are CITES registered animals and therefore must have CITES certificates to prove that they were obtained and imported legally. None ever do.
There are many things that are far from perfect with the Souq, and I hope that with enough emails being sent to Dr Hassan, maybe they will realise that things will need to change soon.
One of the biggest problems there is the fact that everyone goes straight in and touches all the animals. I go there regularly to see what's going on and everytime I go, there are always at least 2 or 3 animals with ringworm.
Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection which is transferable to humans and other animals through contact. Although not dangerous and easily treated, it is annoying and can take a while to clear up, therefore risking being spread to other humans and animals. Children are normally the first to run over to the animals and touch them, and then go over and touch another. They could quite easily spread ringworm to 10 or 15 different animals whilst they are at the Souq and then take it home and spread it to the family as well.
Conjunctivitis can also be found in many of the persian-typed cats and kittens and this is also transferable to humans through direct contact. Again, not particularly dangerous and easily treated, but I'd still rather not catch it!
The animals are kept in small cages, with little to no food or water, out in the heat and are constantly poked, prodded and patted by everyone who goes past which is incredibly stressful. I've lost count of the number of times I've personally seen small children being handed bunnies and kittens that they then drop onto the concrete because they are scared of them!
There are also a number of animals there that are CITES registered animals and therefore must have CITES certificates to prove that they were obtained and imported legally. None ever do.
There are many things that are far from perfect with the Souq, and I hope that with enough emails being sent to Dr Hassan, maybe they will realise that things will need to change soon.