3 cats and turtle rescued from Hong Kong residential complex days after fire

Several more pets have been rescued from the burned buildings of a residential complex in Tai Po, as animal charities continued to search for separated owners and expressed concerns that animals still trapped will have gone days without food or water.\nAuthorities said on Saturday that a sweep of two blocks where flames were first extinguished at Wang Fuk Court – Wang Yan House and Wang Tao House – found no human remains, but three cats and a turtle were rescued and passed to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).\nThe city’s largest animal charity said on Friday afternoon that 243 animals had been recorded as “affected” by the fire, with 92 found as of that morning. It did not have a breakdown on how many were alive. The rest remained unaccounted for.\n“At this stage, our greatest concern is that the pets at Wang Chi [House] have been without food and water for three days and nights,” the SPCA said on Saturday, referring to the only block out of the estate’s eight buildings that was unaffected by the inferno.\n\nBut residents have been unable to return home to fetch their pets given the entire complex has been blocked off, as rescuers concentrated their efforts on the other seven buildings.\nThe SPCA said it was currently coordinating with the Fire Services Department and police in hopes of finding a safe way to rescue the animals.\nOn social media, residents have called for any officers or rescue staff who may be able to enter the building to help find their pets, which included dogs and cats that needed medication.\nResponding to the Post, an SPCA spokeswoman added: “For animals that have not been directly affected by the fire, it is still important that we reach them soon, as after three days, they face the risk of starvation, dehydration and missed medication for those with chronic health conditions.\n“Also, fear and stress can trigger further medical issues, so the sooner we can reunite them with their owners, the better.”\nThe SPCA has called on Wang Chi House pet owners to call their hotline at 9503 6229 to make themselves known, while other Wang Fuk Court owners that had yet to register with the society should call 6040 6624.\nThe spokeswoman said animals that had been exposed to smoke or heat could be suffering from severe respiratory issues, burns or wounds that could require immediate attention, and it was vital for them to receive care as soon as possible.\nAs for rescued pets, she called on caretakers to pay close attention to symptoms that could make a late appearance.\n“Even if pets appear fine, smoke inhalation and toxic gas exposure can cause delayed symptoms, sometimes only showing up 24 to 48 hours [later] or even several days after the fire,” she said.\n“Burns and skin lesions might not be immediately apparent under the fur.”\nCommon signs to watch for included coughing, fast and shallow or laboured breathing, or panting – open mouth breathing – in cats.\nOther symptoms to watch for included red eyes, burns or soot on the face, skin redness, scabbing, sudden hair loss, lethargy, weakness or fainting.\n“We recommend that all rescued pets be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible, even if they seem healthy,” she said.\nAlong with the SPCA, a number of animal charities have been regularly posting online in an attempt to connect owners with their lost pets.\n