The Ukrainian Embassy to China has clarified a situation involving a Ukrainian woman, Anastasia Zinchenko, who is refusing to leave Wuhan without her pet dog.
“The embassy has repeatedly asked the Chinese authorities to allow Anastasia to fly out of Wuhan together with her dog. However, due to the unprecedented quarantine measures, the Chinese authorities did not consent to the evacuation of the pet animal. The reason: Anastasia lacks documentation necessary for taking the dog out of the country,” the embassy said on Facebook.
The procedure for taking pet animals to and from China is the exclusive prerogative of the country’s authorities. Chinese veterinary officials strictly control whether a pet owner has the necessary package of documents, including vaccination records. Absence of such documentation is grounds for denying travel with a pet.
“Under these circumstances, we offered Anastasia a list of kennels in Wuhan where she could place her dog temporarily until the coronavirus situation in the city becomes safe. Ms. Zinchenko refused, saying she was planning to get a veterinary clinic to prepare the necessary documents,” the statement said.
On Feb. 17, the embassy sent a request for permission to evacuate citizens, also asking to consider a possibility of moving Zinchenko’s dog out of the country in light of the updated package of documentation.
The embassy was also unable on this occasion to secure permission despite numerous phone calls with veterinary officials and requests to make an exception for the dog.
Permission for Zinchenko’s evacuation was granted.
“We proposed again to our compatriot that she evacuate herself, and in regard to the dog we asked the Chinese side once again to make an exception and allow its removal. However, that permission was not granted. Eventually, Anastasia refused to undergo evacuation without her dog,” the embassy said, adding that it would continue to maintain contact with the woman and provide her with all necessary assistance.
