SYDNEY - For Chris Moysa, a Sydney
schoolteacher, the spread of coronavirus means long days at home
without company. But like scores of other Australians, Moysa now
has a new housemate after he adopted a cat named Fred.
"It’s just the companionship, having something around, makes
you smile, they do stupid stuff," Moysa told Reuters as he
strokes Fred, a white cat with black markings, who was looking
for a new home after being in and out of foster homes.
"They hang out with you, they don't judge you, the love is
unconditional so what's not to like."
Like in many countries, Australians have for weeks been told
to stay home to fight coronavirus.
The social distancing measures have helped slow the spread
of coronavirus in Australia, with the growth rate in new
infections falling by nearly two-thirds in a week.
But it leaves many people isolated and lonely.
To fill the void, Steve Coleman, chief executive officer of
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in
New South Wales, said many people have turned to animals.
“In the weekend just gone we saw almost a 300% increase in
the adoptions across our state, which is just terrific," Coleman
told Reuters.