The VNUA's Pet Rescue Centre always has members available ready at short notice. — VNA/VNS Photo Ánh Dương

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam National University of Agriculture (VNUA)'s Pet Rescue Centre doubles as a shelter for abandoned pets in Hà Nội, giving them the love they crave.

Established in 2016, the VNUA Pet Rescue Centre has garnered help from many students with a shared love for animals.

"I was not that fond of pets before I joined the centre," said Trần Thu Huyền, a group member, "I joined because I want to have more experience as a vetenarian, but my love for the little animals just grew and grew, and now it's been two years!"

Huyền and her friends workspace is in a rented 20sq.m old room, where rescued pets are treated and taken care of. Although the conditions are far from a standard pet clinic, the centre always tries their best to help abandoned and injured pets.

"Our parents initially did not agree with our work," said Huyền. 

"They said that it's dangerous and time-consuming. We then tried to balance work and study, and our parents finally realised the impact of the work that we're doing."

Huyền then recalled a time when she rescued a cat, whose owner posted details online searching for help.

"The kitten was suffering from petrol burns and was breathing weakly." said Huyền. 

"We put burn gel on the cat and rushed back to the centre.

"The poor cat could not even sleep well due to the injury, but we managed to heal it and in a week the cat was running and moving normally again."

As a large number of abandoned pets are rising in the capital, the centre has never been busier. However, the group admitted that they have been struggling with funding and pet food supplies.

Huyền added: "Outside of the fund that comes out of our own pockets, we also asked for donations from pet stores and clinics, as well as benefactors.

"But then the pandemic comes and the support dwindled, the pet food store that sponsored us also closed down due to COVID. Until now we have not been able to find a new supplier."

Dương Thị Thùy Linh, another centre member said: "Before COVID-19 work at the centre was not that busy.

"But due to university closing down and moving to e-learning, many members have returned to their hometown and can only support work online.

"We are the few people that still work at the centre, and sometimes we have to stay there until 10pm to take care of the pets."

Despite facing multiple issues, Huyền, Linh as well as the remaining members never wants to the centre to close.

"These poor pets was abandoned by their owners, we don't want to repeat that tragedy again. If we give up, who will take care of them in these troubled times?" said Huyền. — VNS