Animal-loving HK ignorant about abandoned pets

Four out of five people care about animal welfare in Hong Kong, but most are ignorant of the problem of unwanted and abandoned pets, according to a survey commissioned by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

SPCA executive director Chris Hanselman said it was encouraging to see 84 per cent of the 1,000 respondents believed only responsible owners should be allowed to keep pets, and 81 per cent say all animals deserve protection, compassion and respect.

However, most had little understanding of the problem of abandoned pets, which traditionally reaches its peak early in the new year.

The society estimates 40,000 dogs or cats are dumped in Hong Kong every year, with only six per cent of them later placed in new homes. About 30,000 are put down.

Despite the scale of the situation, those who guessed at the number being dumped each year gave an average estimate of 7,200.

'Most people have no idea about the problem, the community should be better educated. We believe that the final solution is public education, promotion of responsible ownership and desexing of animals,' Mr Hanselman said. 'The SPCA has made it clear, through our no-kill policy, that we will not destroy any fit and healthy animals in Hong Kong simply as a means of controlling the population.'

The SPCA has been calling on the government and pet owners to do more to tackle the problem of unwanted animals.