Hong Kong Poultry Slaughtered Due to Bird Flu

Health officials ordered the slaughter of all live poultry in Hong Kong's street markets on Wednesday after detecting one of the largest outbreaks of the bird flu virus in years.

The action comes after tests showed four markets had poultry infected with the H5N1 virus. It was unclear how many birds would be killed or how many were infected, but around 3,500 chickens were for sale by nearly 470 retail vendors citywide as of Tuesday night.

I understand why they are doing it and, really, the chickens were on their way to a dinner plate anyway.

But still...poor chickens.

Watch Out for Pet Food Prices

Food prices are rising fast. Just google "rising food prices" and you'll get a ton of articles re: how prices are rising, food security is at risk, the sky is falling, we're doomed, etc.

Here's an article about how pet food prices are rising too....in Hong Kong.

Panic over food supply shortages and rising prices have spread to pet owners who are facing 20 percent hikes to feed their pets.

Pet food prices have soared 10 to 20 percent since February.

But many people will bite the bullet for their animals.

What we find amazing time and time again is that pet owners would rather sacrifice buying food for themselves than food for their pets," said Peter de Krassel, director of Pets Central, which has four outlets in the city.

If only this love of animals could spread throughout the rest of China....

Photo by lisacat.