https://www.scmp.com/rss/323788/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A pet-friendly hotel in southwestern China has drawn fierce online criticism after recommending dog meat restaurants to a traveller staying with their dog. On March 27, a social media user surnamed Chen described a disturbing stay at a hotel in Guizhou province. Chen said they had booked a pet-friendly property for a trip with their puppy, but was taken aback when the hotel sent them an official message recommending local attractions, including the town’s dog meat speciality. The message, which... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348646/public-outrage-china-traveller-pet-friendly-hotel-receives-text-recommending-dog-meat-eateries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348646/public-outrage-china-traveller-pet-friendly-hotel-receives-text-recommending-dog-meat-eateries?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese woman who sacrificed her job and life to get revenge on a neighbour who poisoned her pet dog to death has shown her face publicly for the first time. After her beloved pet dog Papi, a 13-year-old white West Highland Terrier, was poisoned and killed in a children’s playground in her residential compound in Beijing in 2022, Li Yihan has dedicated her life to defending the animal’s rights. Police found a 65-year-old man surnamed Zhang, who lived in the neighbourhood, to be the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348683/chinese-woman-whose-pet-dog-was-poisoned-killed-neighbour-sacrifices-job-cause?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348683/chinese-woman-whose-pet-dog-was-poisoned-killed-neighbour-sacrifices-job-cause?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 06:00:08 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong pet owners have called for environmental authorities to place rat poison in boxes instead of hanging them in transparent bags, with one owner saying his dog had to visit the veterinarian three times in recent months after accidentally consuming pellets that spilled from broken bags onto the pavement. In response to queries by the South China Morning Post, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said rodenticides were used “only when warranted”, and had adjusted the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3348934/rats-versus-pets-hong-kong-dog-owners-want-rodent-poison-boxes-not-bags?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3348934/rats-versus-pets-hong-kong-dog-owners-want-rodent-poison-boxes-not-bags?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:00:13 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang “Pet spirit money” in various currencies has emerged as a burgeoning trend, with many promoting “luxury dog funerals” that include paper servants and companion pets, as well as unique paper offerings such as salmon, tuna, steak, Wagyu beef and dried chicken. In China, holding funerals for loved ones and burning joss paper have long been revered mourning traditions, originally intended to express remembrance and respect for the deceased, as well as to convey the hope that they will thrive in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348735/wagyu-joss-paper-rise-pet-spirit-money-luxury-farewell-ceremonies-take-china-storm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348735/wagyu-joss-paper-rise-pet-spirit-money-luxury-farewell-ceremonies-take-china-storm?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A young Chinese woman has spent an eye-watering 12,000 yuan (US$1,700) to enrol her six-month-old Samoyed in a dog kindergarten due to her busy work schedule. The woman opted for a package that includes personality testing, behaviour training, social activities and even a school bus for pickup and drop-off. The woman, who uses the pseudonym Taotao, was born in the 1990s, and is based in Shanghai. She said that due to a lack of time to provide enough companionship, she enrolled her six-month-old... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347706/china-woman-spends-us1700-enrol-dog-school-personality-testing-training-company?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347706/china-woman-spends-us1700-enrol-dog-school-personality-testing-training-company?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 01:00:07 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang The tale of seven dogs from China allegedly fleeing captivity from a dog meat restaurant won hearts globally, but the reality has recently come to light, taking an unexpected turn. Local media and official fact-checks later revealed that the German shepherd in the video was in heat, attracting the other six dogs who followed it. This dramatic and heartwarming story began with a video captured by a road user in Changchun, Jilin province, northeastern China, showing seven dogs walking along a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348152/great-escape-great-reunion-plot-twists-china-viral-video-7-dogs-homecoming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3348152/great-escape-great-reunion-plot-twists-china-viral-video-7-dogs-homecoming?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese man who was spotted riding a modified electric bicycle powered by his pet dog has faced online allegations of animal abuse. A video clip that went viral online shows the man from eastern China’s Jiangsu province riding on the modified bike on a road on March 16. The bike’s battery had been removed and a reined golden retriever was running under the seat. The dog’s mouth was also muzzled. The man also has a stick in his right hand, with which he seemed to whip the dog. The video was... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347125/chinese-man-modifies-electric-bike-uses-dog-power-source-draws-animal-abuse-criticism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347125/chinese-man-modifies-electric-bike-uses-dog-power-source-draws-animal-abuse-criticism?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 01:00:12 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A recent development in this story has revealed that, following a further investigation, the dogs did not escape captivity. For a detailed account, please read “Plot twists in the viral ‘great escape’ and homecoming video of 7 dogs from China”. Seven stolen village dogs in northeastern China captured the hearts of millions online after breaking free from thieves working for a dog meat shop and embarking on a journey home together, igniting calls for stronger animal protection laws. On March 16,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347595/heartwarming-tale-7-china-dogs-escape-captivity-garners-230-million-views-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347595/heartwarming-tale-7-china-dogs-escape-captivity-garners-230-million-views-online?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:09:28 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung A hamster was caught hitching a ride on a bus from Central to Sha Tin on Sunday morning, ending up in the custody of a Hong Kong animal welfare group. The golden brown Syrian hamster was spotted by a passenger and is now being looked after by the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Photos and videos circulating online show the tiny passenger tucked into a corner on the KMB bus, seemingly overwhelmed by its surroundings. It was later placed in a translucent plastic... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347478/rodent-trip-swinging-time-hamster-hitching-ride-bus-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347478/rodent-trip-swinging-time-hamster-hitching-ride-bus-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 09:43:34 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Some Hong Kong residents planning to leave the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with their pets because of conflict in the Middle East are considering flying to other countries rather than returning home due to the city’s 120-day quarantine requirement for cats and dogs. The pet owners called on authorities to relax the “excessive” quarantine rules for Dubai, saying the requirement had made returning to Hong Kong unfeasible. In a reply to the South China Morning Post, the Agriculture, Fisheries and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347441/hongkongers-uae-urge-rethink-home-citys-120-day-quarantine-cats-dogs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347441/hongkongers-uae-urge-rethink-home-citys-120-day-quarantine-cats-dogs?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 04:00:19 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A pet shop owner from southwestern China discovered an abandoned cat with a note and cash, uncovering an elderly person’s final, loving gesture for their pet. On March 7, the woman surnamed Sun, who runs a pet shop in Chuxiong, Yunnan province, found a grey pet carrier outside her shop. Hearing a kitten meowing, she opened it to find a tabby cat surrounded by cat food. “I was furious, thinking an irresponsible owner had abandoned it,” Sun said. But as she looked closer, she found a crumpled... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346210/china-pet-shop-owner-finds-dumped-cat-touching-note-and-cash-elderly-facing-surgery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346210/china-pet-shop-owner-finds-dumped-cat-touching-note-and-cash-elderly-facing-surgery?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A game centre in China has come under fire after it used real hamsters as prizes in its claw machines to attract customers. The venue, in a shopping centre in Shenzhen in southern China’s Guangdong province, was reported to have filled a machine with hamsters, instead of the normal plush toys. Its actions triggered an online backlash, with many people accusing the outlet of animal abuse. According to online footage, the hamsters cowered in the corner of the machine. Clips also reportedly showed... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346084/china-game-shop-slammed-using-live-hamsters-claw-machine-now-utilising-fish-turtles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346084/china-game-shop-slammed-using-live-hamsters-claw-machine-now-utilising-fish-turtles?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan An internet user in China has exposed on social media that he found 62 pet carcasses on a 300-kilometre stretch of expressway after their owners tied them to the outside vehicles during the Chinese New Year travel rush. In his viral video released on February 25, the blogger Wu Jiayou said he encountered the carcasses on the road while he was driving from Leshan in Sichuan province to Chongqing, southwestern China, according to a report by the Yangcheng Evening News. About eight of the animals... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3345296/dozens-pet-corpses-found-china-highway-likely-caused-unsafe-transport-owners?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3345296/dozens-pet-corpses-found-china-highway-likely-caused-unsafe-transport-owners?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:00:10 +0000 Ying Xia Ying Xia Public awareness of animal welfare on the Chinese mainland is at an all-time high. The country now has the world’s second-largest pet population, estimated at 430 million in 2024 and growing strongly. The cultural shift was on full display last year when the justice ministry solicited public feedback on its legislative plans. In a massive show of support, an online survey pushing for anti-cruelty legislation attracted over 4.2 million votes, with 96 per cent voting in favour. Yet despite rising... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3344884/quiet-revolution-animal-rights-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3344884/quiet-revolution-animal-rights-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A young Chinese man who offered cat-feeding services during the Chinese New Year reported earning 160,000 yuan (US$23,000) over the holiday. The sizeable earnings generated by the feline feeding enterprise have highlighted that there is significant demand for such services. Huan Cong, born in 1991, and based in Shanghai, is a professional in the pet-care industry who has specialised in door-to-door cat feeding services for nine years. During this year’s Spring Festival, he and four employees... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344581/chinese-man-earns-us23000-holiday-week-through-cat-feeding-services?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344581/chinese-man-earns-us23000-holiday-week-through-cat-feeding-services?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:00:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A panda in China which would not let go of a mobile phone a tourist accidentally dropped into his enclosure has been dubbed a ‘smartphone addict’ by online observers. On February 22, a visitor accidentally dropped their mobile phone while filming the giant panda, Qingling, at the Dujiangyan Panda Base in southwestern China’s Sichuan province. The three-year-old panda grabbed the phone as if it were his new toy. He played around with it and even held it in a way that looked like he was taking a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344599/quirky-china-panda-wont-return-phone-talented-piglet-spared-dinner-affordable-gold-rush?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344599/quirky-china-panda-wont-return-phone-talented-piglet-spared-dinner-affordable-gold-rush?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 06:00:11 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang As feline companions, cats have woven themselves into the fabric of modern Chinese life, appearing in homes, cafes and even fashion shows. But what you might not know is that their appeal is rooted in ancient times. In fact, bringing a cat into the home and raising it as a pet once followed rituals similar to marriage in ancient China. Scientists have revealed that the earliest domestic cats appeared around 1,400 years ago during the Tang dynasty (618-907), arriving in China from Central Asia... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3343351/ancient-chinese-process-bringing-cat-home-raise-pet-was-similar-marital-contract?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3343351/ancient-chinese-process-bringing-cat-home-raise-pet-was-similar-marital-contract?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying A dog suspected to have been poisoned was found dead in Hong Kong’s New Territories on Sunday, the fifth such case in the past week, according to police. The force on Sunday said that between February 16 and Saturday, it had received four reports involving the discovery of five dead dogs suspected to have been poisoned in an open space on Liu Pok Road in Lok Ma Chau. The latest case had been classified as “cruelty to animals” following a preliminary investigation, but no arrests have been made... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344276/5-dogs-found-poisoned-death-hong-kongs-new-territories-single-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344276/5-dogs-found-poisoned-death-hong-kongs-new-territories-single-week?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:49:06 +0000 Kyodo Kyodo Shibas are popular worldwide as a breed of hunting dog from Japan, but for tourists deplaning at Hagi-Iwami Airport in Masuda, Shimane prefecture, the dozen or so canines greeting them are like little rock stars. “So cute!” the visitors exclaim, smiling while petting and snapping photos of the alert, playful dogs known for their foxlike faces. Their owners explain that the city is the breed’s birthplace. Tracing their pedigrees back reveals that nearly all of these dogs descend from Ishi Go, a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344003/where-does-shiba-inu-hunting-dog-come-learn-about-japanese-breeds-birth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344003/where-does-shiba-inu-hunting-dog-come-learn-about-japanese-breeds-birth?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 03:15:08 +0000 Mike Rowse Mike Rowse We live in an interesting time. It has become clear that many Hong Kong couples would rather have a pet than a child. Small families are now the norm: a 2022 survey by the Family Planning Association showed that childless families made up 43.2 per cent of the population, followed by one-child families at 27.4 per cent and two-child families at 25.2 per cent. Anyone still in doubt would have done well to attend the recent Hong Kong Pet Show, which attracted around 370,000 visitors over the four... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3342563/so-what-if-some-countries-have-fewer-babies-and-shrinking-populations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3342563/so-what-if-some-countries-have-fewer-babies-and-shrinking-populations?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 21:30:15 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The old saying “it’s a dog’s life” has come to mean pampering and luxury rather than misery. In those terms, the coming Year of the Horse is shaping up to be a memorable one for Hong Kong dogs and their owners. On March 1, for the first time, up to 1,200 dogs will be able to travel on most trains and some buses with their owners as part of a fundraising drive organised by the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a breakthrough that should lead to further lifting of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3342622/furry-friends-restaurants-big-step-towards-pet-friendly-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3342622/furry-friends-restaurants-big-step-towards-pet-friendly-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 22:45:07 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press This year, America’s Puppy Bowl is not just about puppies. Older dogs are getting some attention, too. There will be a halftime showdown between Team Oldies and Team Goldies, offering a showcase for senior dogs as a reminder that they also need adoption and love. “Everyone wants the puppy and, unfortunately, the reality of puppyhood is it’s tough,” says Victoria Schade, the event’s lead dog trainer and wrangler. “I think people don’t realise that until they’re deep in the thick of it. That’s the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3342490/puppy-bowl-xxii-aims-help-old-dogs-find-new-families-too?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3342490/puppy-bowl-xxii-aims-help-old-dogs-find-new-families-too?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 07:15:08 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong animal rights activists have called on the government to create a list of approved pets after an abandoned 85kg (187lbs) alligator snapping turtle was found eating fish in a New Territories pond. They also called on authorities to microchip turtles sold to the public, toughen penalties for letting pets loose in the wild and update the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance before pushing further ahead with a “pet-friendly” society. Bon Chan Chung-pong, founder of Turtle’s Inn, said... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3342724/call-tougher-animal-welfare-laws-after-invasive-turtle-found-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3342724/call-tougher-animal-welfare-laws-after-invasive-turtle-found-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 04:00:08 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Ricky Tam Wai-kit’s pet-friendly Uluru Cafe in Wan Chai was recently issued a grim ultimatum by Hong Kong food hygiene officers – a week-long closure if officers spotted one more dog in his restaurant, with another offence meaning losing his licence forever. “We like pets and animals, but this has made us a target for attack,” Tam said, adding that a neighbour had frequently complained to environmental authorities about pets in his restaurant. “I don’t understand why they have to weaponise the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3342526/hong-kong-barking-wrong-tree-dog-friendly-restaurants?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3342526/hong-kong-barking-wrong-tree-dog-friendly-restaurants?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:30:10 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang More than a decade ago, Chinese wildlife artist Li Weiyi rescued a dying wolf cub in the grasslands of southwestern China. Recently, the 2017 documentary Return to the Wolves, which chronicles her time with her wolf son, regained attention thanks to a commentary video by film influencer @bizhanfenghua. The topic has attracted an astonishing 2.8 billion views on mainland social media. In April 2010, while sketching in the Zoige Prairie in Sichuan province, Li came across a little wolf, only five... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3341708/story-china-woman-and-adopted-wolf-son-gains-renewed-fame-garners-28-billion-views-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3341708/story-china-woman-and-adopted-wolf-son-gains-renewed-fame-garners-28-billion-views-online?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:00:37 +0000 Lily Canter Lily Canter In a city obsessed with efficiency, optimisation and results, walking has rarely been focused on as a health intervention. Yet across Hong Kong, a quiet reframing is taking place. Increasingly, it is being described not as light exercise or leisure, but as a form of everyday medicine, one that supports mental health, recovery from illness and ageing well, without injury or pressure. Stephanie Lown, founder of hiking group Exploring Dogs, says walking offers a rare combination of movement,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3342052/how-walking-hong-kong-helping-cancer-recovery-and-mental-health?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3342052/how-walking-hong-kong-helping-cancer-recovery-and-mental-health?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 02:59:19 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press People use music to set moods and evoke positive memories. The right song at the right time can have similar effects on dogs. Pet owners, trainers and animal shelter workers sometimes use music as a training tool, a distraction from triggers, and to create a relaxing environment for dogs kept in kennels or left alone at home. But researchers say the effects vary based on dogs’ temperament, the setting, the type of tune and the volume at which it is played. Social media videos show dogs howling... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3342088/do-dogs-music-experts-weigh-how-it-affects-furry-friends-and-what-avoid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3342088/do-dogs-music-experts-weigh-how-it-affects-furry-friends-and-what-avoid?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:15:08 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Private jet holidays, cat litter boxes powered by artificial intelligence and human-grade fresh dog food inspired by char siu rice are all the rage at this year’s Hong Kong Pet Show, as exhibitors express confidence in the purchasing power of the city’s pet owners. Humans, dogs and cats jostled alongside each other on Thursday, the opening day of the expo at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, as furry friends decked out in outfits sampled treats like dried alligator and bully... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3341713/pawsitively-posh-hong-kong-pet-show-takes-luxury-new-heights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3341713/pawsitively-posh-hong-kong-pet-show-takes-luxury-new-heights?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:58:20 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press After back-to-back fatal train crashes sent shock waves through Spain, some good news arrived on Thursday: Boro, the missing dog, was found. Days earlier, Boro’s owner Ana Garcia issued a desperate plea to help find him after the dog bolted on Sunday in the aftermath of the high-speed train crash in southern Spain that killed at least 43 people. Garcia, 26, and her pregnant sister were travelling with Boro on the train that derailed. On Thursday, forest firefighters in southern Spain found the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340906/after-fatal-rail-accident-missing-dog-captivated-spain-found?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340906/after-fatal-rail-accident-missing-dog-captivated-spain-found?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 17:40:13 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times A declining number of dog meat farms in South Korea, driven by government efforts to root out the centuries-old practice of dog meat consumption, has raised questions about what will happen to the dogs currently in the system between now and when the ban takes effect in February 2027. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed that at least 468,000 dogs are currently kept on farms in cages nationwide, or at some 5,900 related businesses, including slaughterhouses,... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3340854/south-koreas-dog-meat-ban-leaves-half-million-lives-limbo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3340854/south-koreas-dog-meat-ban-leaves-half-million-lives-limbo?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:18:07 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Blanket draped over her shoulders and a bandage on her cheek, Ana Garcia issued a desperate plea: she needed help finding her dog, Boro. Hours earlier, 26-year-old Garcia and her pregnant sister had been travelling with Boro by high-speed train from Malaga, their hometown in southern Spain, to capital Madrid. The tail of their train car jumped the rails for reasons that remain unclear, then was smashed into by a train coming in the opposite direction that tumbled down an adjacent slope. At least... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340720/after-spanish-rail-disaster-search-missing-dog-grips-nation-he-family?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340720/after-spanish-rail-disaster-search-missing-dog-grips-nation-he-family?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:46:21 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A pet dog in China has been waiting outside his owner’s home for weeks, unaware of his passing. Refusing to eat or drink, the loyal canine has captured the hearts of countless social media users. This touching story, centred around the dog nicknamed Ah Wang, has drawn comparisons to the 2009 film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, inspired by a true story from Japan in the 1920s. In the film, the dog Hachi waits every day for its owner at a railway station for 10 years following his death, until the day it... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339621/unaware-owners-death-loyal-china-dog-waits-daily-corridor-his-return-moving-many?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339621/unaware-owners-death-loyal-china-dog-waits-daily-corridor-his-return-moving-many?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Harvey Kong Harvey Kong Animal welfare groups have criticised a Hong Kong pet shop for offering a cat rental service, calling the move unethical and harmful to the felines’ well-being. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said on Wednesday that it had sent staff to inspect the shop in North Point and reminded its operator to comply with the law. In a social media post – which appears to have been since removed – the Petbook pet shop advertised a “cat friend rental” service. It offered people... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3339892/animal-welfare-groups-slam-hong-kong-pet-shop-offering-cat-rental-service?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3339892/animal-welfare-groups-slam-hong-kong-pet-shop-offering-cat-rental-service?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:44:42 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse There are a few special words that will perk the ears of many a dog – “hungry”, “park” and of course, “T-R-E-A-T”. But a choice group of gifted canines appear to have a remarkable capacity for learning human vocabulary, to the point that they acquire language by eavesdropping the way young toddlers do. That’s according to a new study published on Thursday in the journal Science, which shows that some “gifted word learner” dogs already known to be capable of learning toy names through training... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3339244/rare-genius-dogs-learn-vocabulary-eavesdropping-study-shows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3339244/rare-genius-dogs-learn-vocabulary-eavesdropping-study-shows?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jan 2026 20:17:47 +0000 Natalie Wong Natalie Wong Illegal dog trapping and cat smuggling have become alarmingly common, with an animal rescue group reporting that it saved 351 animals in Hong Kong over the past six months – an average of two per day. As Paws Guardian Rescue Shelter, now in its 10th year, released a report on Tuesday detailing the condition of the animals it had saved over the past six months, its founder – who led most of the operations – told the Post how brutal recent cases had become. Founder Kent Luk Ka-chit said that in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3338969/hong-kong-shelter-saves-351-animals-6-months-trapping-smuggling-cases-surge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3338969/hong-kong-shelter-saves-351-animals-6-months-trapping-smuggling-cases-surge?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:30:18 +0000 Julie Zhang Julie Zhang Irina Zhou’s five-year-old cat has gained about a kilogram every year for the past three years. She knows the extra weight puts her pet at risk of obesity-related diseases and could even shorten his life. “My parents just can’t bear to see the cat go hungry,” the 29-year-old Zhou said. “If the weight starts to affect his health, I might consider trying weight-loss medicines for him.” The idea of using obesity drugs for pets drew public attention after Fosun Pharma’s unit Yao Pharma signed a... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3338820/meow-or-never-chinas-pudgy-pets-spark-race-weight-loss-drugs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3338820/meow-or-never-chinas-pudgy-pets-spark-race-weight-loss-drugs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:30:10 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese woman is facing a lawsuit after encouraging her pet dog to eat mutton rolls directly from a plate at a famous Beijing hotpot restaurant. The incident reportedly happened at a branch of Nanmen Hotpot, a Beijing-style hotpot restaurant brand, in the Chinese capital on December 16. A video posted by the dog-owning woman shows her encouraging her pet to eat directly from a plate. “Frankly speaking, I do not even know what the mutton rolls taste like because my dog has eaten them all. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3337613/china-woman-films-dog-eating-plate-restaurant-shop-vows-sue-after-brief-closure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3337613/china-woman-films-dog-eating-plate-restaurant-shop-vows-sue-after-brief-closure?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Jan 2026 01:00:10 +0000 Kolette Lim Kolette Lim At the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Singapore, it was yet another busy Monday as volunteers cleaned cages and leashed dogs for walks around the shelter. Squinty, a seven-year-old male crossbreed, stretched his hind legs – which were covered in partially healed burn wounds – in anticipation. The canine’s energetic jaunt belied his kidney disease, which required him to take daily fluids and supplements. The docile pooch is among many animals housed by the SPCA,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3338563/singapores-animal-shelters-struggle-costs-falling-adoption?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3338563/singapores-animal-shelters-struggle-costs-falling-adoption?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Jan 2026 03:00:44 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A travelling cat in China has been humorously likened to a bus conductor after videos of him riding with ease with a truck driver went viral. The driver from northern China’s Hebei province, nicknamed Xiangzi, describes his eight-month-old tuxedo cat Jiaozi, which means “dumpling”, as his “best travel buddy”. In December, video clips of Jiaozi comfortably sitting alongside the truck’s front window with its paws on a handrail went viral on mainland social media. The two most popular videos on... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3337469/best-travel-buddy-china-kitten-famous-riding-truck-driver-owner-holding-handrail?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3337469/best-travel-buddy-china-kitten-famous-riding-truck-driver-owner-holding-handrail?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jan 2026 06:00:11 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu More Chinese travellers are pivoting from mass-market sightseeing to bespoke adventures to ring in the new year, fuelling a surge in demand for pet-friendly itineraries and winter excursions as service consumption defies a broader economic gloom. “Tailored travel is gaining traction,” online travel platform Fliggy said in a December 23 statement, citing a shift towards immersive “experiences that go beyond sightseeing”, favouring more memorable moments and personalisation. In particular,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3338357/chinas-service-sector-shines-holidaymakers-embrace-pet-travel-and-bespoke-adventures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3338357/chinas-service-sector-shines-holidaymakers-embrace-pet-travel-and-bespoke-adventures?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 06:00:22 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A Beijing man who hand-fed his pet snake when it was ill was bitten by the reptile and ended up having his thumb amputated. The incident was reported by China’s state media CCTV on December 18. The man, surnamed Huang, kept the long-nosed viper as a pet because he had been interested in snakes since childhood. Chinese folklore has it that anyone bitten by such a reptile, also known as a “five step snake” in China, will die after walking five steps. Not long ago, Huang’s snake fell ill and was... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3337492/chinese-man-hand-feeds-pet-snake-suffers-serious-bite-leads-thumb-amputation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3337492/chinese-man-hand-feeds-pet-snake-suffers-serious-bite-leads-thumb-amputation?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 01:00:10 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan The newlywed owners of a Shiba Inu dog famous online for its adorable smile, which was poisoned to death in a village in eastern China, have been accused of cashing in on its death. The six-year-old canine, Peppa, had been raised by the couple since it was three months old. It died recently after its owners took it to their hometown in rural Shandong province for a honeymoon, where it ate poison-tainted food on the road. The dog has a combined half a million followers on several mainland social... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3337031/china-owner-poisoned-smiling-shiba-inu-berated-exploiting-canines-death?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3337031/china-owner-poisoned-smiling-shiba-inu-berated-exploiting-canines-death?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Dec 2025 06:00:08 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong has seen an increase in applications to import pets after the city cut the quarantine period for cats and dogs from mainland China from 120 to 30 days. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) also said that a greater number of quarantine units at its new Kai Tak complex had further reduced waiting times for pet owners relocating to Hong Kong and hoping to bring their animals with them. The department said it received 291 applications for pet quarantine in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337803/shorter-quarantine-time-drives-rise-pet-imports-mainland-china-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337803/shorter-quarantine-time-drives-rise-pet-imports-mainland-china-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 02:00:12 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A yoga studio in Thailand has gone viral for providing visitors the unique opportunity to interact with puppies during their workouts, creating a truly stress-relieving experience. Chinese fitness influencer “Scarlett Johanfu” recently shared a video of her visit to a puppy yoga studio in Bangkok, which quickly garnered over 1.5 million likes on Douyin. In the clip, yoga mats are surrounded by adorable puppies as participants stretch and unwind. Johanfu gently pats the dogs between poses, with... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3337209/bangkok-puppy-yoga-studio-offers-visitors-comfort-and-stress-relief-us60-session?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3337209/bangkok-puppy-yoga-studio-offers-visitors-comfort-and-stress-relief-us60-session?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 08:00:13 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof A newly opened shopping centre in Malaysia has reversed an attempt to brand its indoor space as pet-friendly after an online backlash, a reaction that underscores the sensitivities around dogs in public spaces in the Muslim-majority country. Sunway Square Mall in Selangor, which opened on December 12, said on Thursday that pets are banned from its enclosed retail areas. Instead, pets are allowed at a designated outdoor zone and supervised routes through a car park in the mall’s basement. The... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3336945/malaysia-uproar-over-malls-pet-friendly-policy-forces-u-turn?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3336945/malaysia-uproar-over-malls-pet-friendly-policy-forces-u-turn?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 10:59:58 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A pet cat in China which became trapped in the drum of a running washing machine for several minutes has survived with minor injuries. A video posted on December 5, by his owner, who goes by the online handle @jiemodaxiaojie, went viral, amassing 217,000 likes and 20,000 comments. The owner from eastern China’s Jiangsu province said she was shocked to discover her pet cat inside the washing machine while taking clothes out of it. The cat, nicknamed Jintiao, was in the drum throughout the running... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3335704/cat-china-survives-after-trapped-running-washing-machine-suffers-just-red-nose?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3335704/cat-china-survives-after-trapped-running-washing-machine-suffers-just-red-nose?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 06:00:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A woman from southwestern China, who has been battling social anxiety, has gone viral after spending three years overcoming her fears by “crashing” around 100 wedding banquets of strangers to collect leftover food to feed over 120 stray cats. The woman, known as Xuanxuan, hails from Baoshan, Yunnan province. Previously, she struggled with social anxiety while working part-time as a video editor. In the winter of 2022, she began rescuing stray cats that she found shivering outside, and gradually,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3335564/china-woman-social-anxiety-gathers-leftovers-100-banquets-feed-120-stray-cats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3335564/china-woman-social-anxiety-gathers-leftovers-100-banquets-feed-120-stray-cats?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Dec 2025 06:00:10 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The killing of a pet dog in the northern Philippines has ignited widespread outrage and reopened debate on the country’s weak animal welfare protections after disturbing footage of the incident went viral online. The video shows an American Bully named Axle being beaten with a wooden plank in the remote town of Sadanga in Mountain Province, prompting an outpouring of grief from animal lovers and a wave of calls for authorities to strengthen enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act. Closed-circuit... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3336109/brutal-dog-killing-philippines-sparks-outrage-calls-strengthen-animal-welfare-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3336109/brutal-dog-killing-philippines-sparks-outrage-calls-strengthen-animal-welfare-law?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Dec 2025 13:12:25 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A special bond that was formed between a museum security guard and a black cat that died last year continues to move countless people online. The feline called Ken-chan visited the Onomichi City Museum in Japan’s Hiroshima prefecture for the first time in 2017, during a special exhibition themed on cats. He tried to enter the museum but was gently stopped by the guard, Sadao Umayahara. Instead of repelling Ken-chan, Umayahara patiently bent down to block his way. The cat also seemed to enjoy... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3334092/japan-security-guards-special-bond-cat-moves-many-museum-honours-felines-memory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3334092/japan-security-guards-special-bond-cat-moves-many-museum-honours-felines-memory?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Nov 2025 08:00:10 +0000 Reuters Reuters Whether they are Siamese, Persian, Maine Coon or domestic shorthair, there are hundreds of millions of cats living with people around the world. However, despite cats’ popularity as pets, the history of their domestication has remained difficult for scientists to decipher. A new genome study is providing some insight by determining the timing of a key milestone in feline domestication: the introduction of domestic cats into Europe from North Africa. Domestic cats are believed to have arrived in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3334498/when-did-domestic-cats-arrive-europe-about-4000-years-later-previously-thought?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3334498/when-did-domestic-cats-arrive-europe-about-4000-years-later-previously-thought?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:15:07 +0000