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SCMP Reporter

How should the pet trade be regulated?
 People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia-Pacific  supports the proposed grading system for Hong Kong pet shops, but reminds readers that the best way to stop the cruelty rampant in the pet industry is by simply refusing to buy animals, or anything, from pet shops that sell live animals ('Demand to tighten up regulations for pet shops', May 5).
 The 'pet' industry treats animals like mere money-making commodities and the animals pay the price. Most animals sold in pet stores come from mass breeding mills, where they are constantly confined in tiny, filthy cages and are deprived of proper nutrition, veterinary care, and attention. Conditions at many pet stores are not much better.
What is more, every time someone buys an animal from a pet store instead of adopting a homeless animal from a shelter, the shelter's animal loses a chance of getting a home and will likely be put down.
 Please, help stop these tragedies by shopping for your companion animal's supplies only at stores that do not sell animals and by adopting animals from shelters if you are ready to add a companion to the family. Never buy animals from pet stores. To learn more, visit  www.HelpingAnimals.com.  
Rebecca Chui, campaign co-ordinator, Peta Asia-Pacific
How can we better protect our birds?
 I refer to the report, 'Redevelopment threatens sites for house swifts and barn swallows', on April 30. It is possible that the swallow and even sparrow's nests will vanish one day. 
 The government should pass the necessary legislation and lay down environmental rules to stop these nests from being disturbed or spoiled. There should be adequate protection for birds. There must also be better education so that people will understand more about birds and the need to look after them. 
Paul Yim, Sha Tin
What do you think of the city's quality of life?
 I refer to Gary Brand's  comments (Talkback, May 2). I am aware that the pollution in Hong Kong is often higher than what is considered acceptable but have never heard that it was several times that which the World Health Organisation  considers safe.
He says the city is 'without a serious museum'. However, there are countless museums in Hong Kong. Mr Brand needs to get out more often.
Hong Kong is just as good as any major city when it comes to holding or hosting cultural events.
I am not much of an artist in any sense of the word but I might agree with Mr Brand about the artistic community. Here's hoping the West Kowloon Cultural District will help change that.
The only problem I have with smokers - I am a non-smoker - is when people break the  rules and no one tells them to stop. Our taxis are safe, usually clean and reasonably priced. If you insist on getting your 50 cents back I'm sure the driver would give it to you. Try taking a taxi in many other cities. As far as my wife and I are concerned we live in one of the best places in the world.
Greg Green, Fanling
 Quality of life can mean different things. It can refer to the standard of living and whether or not  residents have enough money to get what they want.
Cities like New York, Hong Kong and Paris are regarded as rich. People there enjoy good living conditions and have an excellent education system.
 We also have to look at whether  citizens are satisfied with their lives, if they think positively about things. In poor countries you can have people in cities who do feel that way.  Although  people there do not have cars, TVs and computers, they are still able to smile. A city like that has  spirit and I think that is more important.
Edison Cheung Fu-ho, Sha Tin
What do you think of the Victoria Park pool plan?
 I refer to the report, 'Loss of outdoor pools opposed', on May 6.
 The outdoor Victoria Park swimming pools will be replaced by an indoor one.
It is good that people will be able to swim indoors with fewer pollutants, as there is a lot of traffic nearby.  
 Residents have complained that the government plans will mean that they can no longer sunbathe. However, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department  has said that with the new pool people will 'still be able to enjoy the sun's rays' through the glass ceiling.
 However, I do think the department should keep at least one pool open.
R. Hau, Kowloon Bay
On other matters...
 You would think that Now TV  would have learned something from what made PCCW,  its parent company, slip and stumble and fall from grace, which is that in today's transparency-driven world, the power has shifted to us, that is, the public and consumers.
 'We' are now bringing down banks, credit card companies, music companies and even governments.
 Now TV is run with the type of arrogance that will not be tolerated.
This modus  operandi might have worked 20 years ago when Star TV  was launched and then sold to Rupert Murdoch  to much fanfare and with 'boy wonders' being 'created' overnight. It is a different world today.
 We consumers do not like being scammed. We don't like 'customer service' that rarely works. We don't like Now TV sales people ringing our doorbell at 8.30 at night to 'brief' us on some new so-called improvement to pay-TV.
 When Now TV's only comeback about suddenly  charging for the Australian TV channel is to mention that it's only another HK$12 a month, or whatever, they completely miss the point.
 We are not talking about money. We are talking about the principle. Perhaps that's a word those running Now TV and PCCW do not understand.
Hans Ebert, Mid-Levels



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