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Jade Lee-Duffy

What do you want for Christmas? A new bag? The latest iPhone? Or an adorable  kitten? There are hundreds of cute and cuddly animals around Hong Kong  waiting to be adopted.  
Lifelong Animal Protection (LAP) 
www.lap.org.hk
Formerly called Lamma Animal Protection, the licensed charity has  about 80 animals, mainly dogs and cats,  available for adoption in foster homes. 'LAP has a network of about 100 fostering homes, but they are not active all at one time,' says vice-chairman Jen Chan. 'We don't have kennels or a shelter, so the money we earn is spent on  medical bills, the animals' welfare and daily operations.'  
In order to start the adoption process, potential pet owners are required to fill in a questionnaire, but applicants might remember to tell the truth.  'There are questions in the form to trick them,' Chan explains. 'But if everything sounds reasonable ... an adoption could be almost instant, unless [the animal] needs to be desexed or have a formal medical procedure.' Taking home a lovable Lassie or Persian costs HK$1,500, including vaccinations, desexing and microchipping.  
Hong Kong Alley Cats
www.hkalleycats.com
Hong Kong Alley Cats (HKAC) last week rescued a white cat in Clearwater Bay  that was found wandering around some  wheelie bins where a scratching post, litter box and unopened food had been left. 'It had  cat flu, so maybe that's why it was abandoned. But it doesn't matter if we find them sick or healthy, we will treat them,' says Michelle Temple, co-founder of HKAC. 
'There are so many animals to choose from [in Hong Kong] because of the  [number] that have been abandoned.' 
A HK$1,000 adoption fee covers basic desexing, vaccinations and any other medical costs up to the time of adoption.   
Hong Kong Dog Rescue
www.hongkongdogrescue.com
Established by Sally Andersen  in 2002, the self-funded  organisation has  about 200 dogs in Tai Po and Ap Lei Chau. It also desexes dogs over the age of six months.
Protection of Animals Lantau South
www.pals.org.hk
The Protection of Animals Lantau South  is made up of  volunteers who  in 1998 started to rescue and rehome dogs and cats around South Lantau and Discovery Bay.  All the animals have been desexed, dewormed and vaccinated. 
Society for Abandoned Animals
www.saa.org.hk
The Yuen Long-based  charity was established in 1997 by a group of animal rights activists. Their  20,000-square-metre facility features a cat activity room, outdoor playground for dogs, rabbit room and animal medical centre. They also look after  farm animals.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals  
www.spca.org.hk
This was the first animal welfare charity in Hong Kong,  starting in 1921. It has  up to 200 animals available,  from dogs, cats and rabbits, to hamsters and terrapins.



They are cute, cuddly and ready for adoption this festive season