Thousands of Hongkongers have volunteered to adopt unwanted hamsters after the government’s cull order on January 18, 2022. The direction applies to about 2,000 hamsters that were sold on and after December 22, 2021. Authorities said the hamsters would be tested for Covid-19 and “humanely handled” before they are killed.  Hamster lovers and animal advocacy groups have been alarmed that owners would panic and abandon their pets.