https://www.scmp.com/rss/509668/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com 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 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 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 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words I refer to “Dogs to be allowed in up to 1,000 Hong Kong restaurants under new scheme” (February 3). The government’s newly announced plan to allow dogs in approved restaurants marks a meaningful shift: “pet-friendly” is going from a slogan to a workable public policy. Done well,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3343475/pets-or-no-pets-may-different-lifestyles-coexist-calmly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3343475/pets-or-no-pets-may-different-lifestyles-coexist-calmly?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 03:30:08 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong authorities are considering allowing a maximum of two dogs per diner into restaurants licensed under a new pet-friendly policy, with the permits possibly being granted only to larger premises at the outset. A day after authorities told lawmakers that they had no intention of setting limits on the number of dogs per customer allowed into restaurants, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said on Wednesday that the government was reconsidering the matter after receiving... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3343161/hong-kong-government-may-set-limit-2-dogs-diner-under-new-pet-friendly-policy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3343161/hong-kong-government-may-set-limit-2-dogs-diner-under-new-pet-friendly-policy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:17:25 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words Hong Kong’s urban identity is at a turning point. The expansion of pet-inclusive parks and the pilot scheme for pet-friendly restaurants are welcome steps towards becoming an animal-friendly city – but they sit uneasily alongside a largely animal-hostile framework. The Tai Po... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3342995/hong-kong-animal-friendly-should-be-default-setting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3342995/hong-kong-animal-friendly-should-be-default-setting?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 03:30:08 +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 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 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 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 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong’s environment minister has said that the city’s first batch of dog-friendly restaurants is expected to be approved by the middle of 2026, marking a significant shift in local dining regulations to bolster the “pet economy”. Appearing before the Legislative Council’s food safety and environmental hygiene panel on Thursday, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan outlined a series of measures from the latest policy address that aim to revitalise the catering sector. Under the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3341690/hong-kongs-first-dog-friendly-restaurants-could-be-opening-sooner-you-think?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3341690/hong-kongs-first-dog-friendly-restaurants-could-be-opening-sooner-you-think?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:03:45 +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 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 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Up to 1,200 dogs will be allowed to ride on most major rail lines in Hong Kong on March 1 for an animal protection charity’s annual flagship fundraising event, marking a historic first for the local train network. The Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said on Monday that the arrangement was for Dogathon 2026, scheduled to take place at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. The event is expected to attract more than 3,000 people to join a 5km (3.1-mile) walk with their dogs... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3338802/1200-dogs-allowed-travel-hong-kongs-major-rail-lines-fundraiser-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3338802/1200-dogs-allowed-travel-hong-kongs-major-rail-lines-fundraiser-event?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Jan 2026 11:29:15 +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 Letters Letters The recent seizure of 150 tonnes of donkey skins by Hong Kong customs is a stark reminder of a growing global crisis at the intersection of animal welfare, biodiversity loss and the erosion of rural livelihoods. The international trade in donkey skins is fuelled by strong demand for a traditional Chinese medicine known as ejiao, which is produced from the collagen extracted from donkey skin. The illegal trade poses an existential challenge to the donkeys as a species, and threatens the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3331875/donkeys-slaughtered-their-skin-tragedy-multiple-levels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3331875/donkeys-slaughtered-their-skin-tragedy-multiple-levels?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Nov 2025 03:30:10 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words The recent debate over permitting dogs in restaurants may seem a niche issue but highlights broader tensions between cultural sensitivities and evolving social norms in Hong Kong. Islamic teachings place profound emphasis on ritual purity, with dogs traditionally regarded as... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3331032/hong-kong-should-balance-dog-friendly-trends-cultural-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3331032/hong-kong-should-balance-dog-friendly-trends-cultural-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Nov 2025 03:30:08 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying One of the greatest wishes of Fung, an elderly patient hospitalised at Hong Kong’s Caritas Medical Centre for the past three months, is to see her pet cat, Silver. The internal medicine patient said it would be a “precious memory” if she could be reunited with her 13-year-old calico cat. “I miss Silver very much. My daughter will show me videos, but if I can see it face to face, I can hug and kiss it and say goodbye,” she said. “If we can have a final reunion, I can tell it to be obedient and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3329455/perfect-purr-scription-how-pet-doctors-can-help-hong-kong-hospital-patients?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3329455/perfect-purr-scription-how-pet-doctors-can-help-hong-kong-hospital-patients?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Oct 2025 00:00:19 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words The 2025 policy address, proposing a trial scheme to allow pet dogs in eateries, marks a long-overdue shift, recognising a change in the city’s social fabric. Yet, while this move is positive, it is reactive rather than proactive, a concession, not a strategy. If Hong Kong aims to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3327577/what-hong-kong-must-do-truly-harness-pet-economys-potential?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3327577/what-hong-kong-must-do-truly-harness-pet-economys-potential?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 03:30:09 +0000 Jiang Chuqin Jiang Chuqin Hong Kong has widened its recognition of veterinary health certificates for cats and dogs imported from mainland China, expanding from only Shenzhen to all regions across the border. Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department revealed on Tuesday that it was now accepting animal health certificates issued by official veterinarians from all customs authorities on the mainland. The city started recognising certificates issued by official veterinarians of Shenzhen Customs on June... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327352/hong-kong-accept-mainland-chinese-health-certificates-imported-cats-dogs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327352/hong-kong-accept-mainland-chinese-health-certificates-imported-cats-dogs?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Sep 2025 06:19:56 +0000 Faye Bradley Faye Bradley Just days before Christmas 2023, Lili Gleason, a 45-year-old homemaker in Hong Kong, was scrolling through Facebook when a post on the Lifelong Animal Protection (LAP) Charity page stopped her in her tracks: “600+ days and still counting … We’re not optimistic about getting Loyal and Pascal adopted unless a miracle happens and someone who doesn’t mind them being shy pops up. Would that be you?” Loyal and Pascal had been in the shelter for 760 and 600 days, respectively. Toilet trained, friendly... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3326925/digital-age-single-post-can-change-dogs-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3326925/digital-age-single-post-can-change-dogs-life?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 06:15:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial A legal amendment boosting the authorities’ ability to crack down on wildlife trafficking was seen as a landmark in enabling Hong Kong to shed its unwanted reputation as an international hub for the trade. The change to the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance in 2021 empowered law enforcement agencies to obtain documents relevant to their investigations, seize proceeds and impose tougher penalties. It was a breakthrough, allowing investigators to follow the money and target the bigger... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3326816/money-laundering-conviction-sends-right-message-wildlife-smugglers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3326816/money-laundering-conviction-sends-right-message-wildlife-smugglers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 22:45:08 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong The restaurant industry and pet owners have urged the government to map out clear licensing rules, especially on hygiene, as Hong Kong prepares to lift a 30-year-old ban on dogs in eateries. Simon Wong Kit-lung, chairman of the LH Group of restaurants and a dog owner, said the licence should explicitly define even basic points to avoid conflict. He said the primary responsibility for managing dogs should lie with the owners. They should have legal responsibility for their pets’ actions, he... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3326271/calls-clear-licensing-rules-if-dogs-allowed-hong-kong-restaurants?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3326271/calls-clear-licensing-rules-if-dogs-allowed-hong-kong-restaurants?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Sep 2025 04:48:31 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok A 26-year-old Hong Kong woman has been arrested for a third time in three months on suspicion of animal cruelty after a mummified cat was found in a North Point flat, a week after the remains of a dog were discovered at the same premises. The authorities received a report at around 4.30pm on Sunday from the female landlord, 39, of the property in The Consonance building on Jupiter Street, alleging suspected mistreatment of animals by a tenant. She was alerted by building security after a fire... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3325504/hong-kong-woman-arrested-twice-week-after-cat-and-dog-found-dead-flat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3325504/hong-kong-woman-arrested-twice-week-after-cat-and-dog-found-dead-flat?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Sep 2025 13:04:25 +0000 Kevin Kwong,Tom Eves Kevin Kwong,Tom Eves Apple is a four-year-old long-coat Chihuahua who weighs 4.5kg (10lb) – twice as heavy as what is considered the preferred standard for the breed in terms of her size and age. And this morning, she is sporting a limp in her right hind leg. A trip to a veterinary clinic later reveals there is a ligament tear in her leg, most likely caused by being overweight. The diagnosis comes as no surprise to her owner who, by coincidence, has scheduled a swimming session for Apple at Paw by Paw – a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3323145/how-hydrotherapy-can-help-your-dog-lose-weight-recover-injuries-and-build-muscle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3323145/how-hydrotherapy-can-help-your-dog-lose-weight-recover-injuries-and-build-muscle?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2025 23:15:08 +0000 SCMP Reporters SCMP Reporters A bouncing Bollywood dance competition, a limited-edition sandwich that marries the best of Filipino and Cantonese flavours, and a cat festival where you and your furry best friend can hang out are just some of the best things to enjoy in Hong Kong this weekend. Read on for more details. 1. Hong Kong International Bhangra Competition View this post on Instagram A post shared by HK International Bhangra Comp (@hkinternationalbhangra) Feel the beat at an... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3322734/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-august-22-24-such-cat-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3322734/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-august-22-24-such-cat-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 02:45:07 +0000 Lorraine Chiang Lorraine Chiang Pet owners splurged on their furry friends as a cat expo opened in Hong Kong on Friday, spending thousands of dollars on products ranging from food to DNA tests for hereditary diseases and jewellery items made with feline hair. The three-day Hong Kong Cat Expo, which has been held annually since 2023, features more than 180 exhibitors and 380 booths at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, with some reporting brisk business. Among them was Hero DNA, which said that in the first five... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3320504/purr-fect-day-hong-kong-pet-owners-cat-expo-opens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3320504/purr-fect-day-hong-kong-pet-owners-cat-expo-opens?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Aug 2025 16:58:12 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Feline domestication is often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who were known to live alongside their cat companions and even worship them. The goddess Bastet, protector and symbol of fertility, is depicted with a cat’s head, while tomb walls bear images of animals that resemble our present-day pets. Millennia later, this year’s theme at the Hong Kong Cat Expo traces a direct ball of twine back to that long-ago time and place. The event, which debuted in 2023, will return from August 1 to 3... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3319520/hong-kong-cat-expo-returns-wan-chai-ancient-egyptian-theme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3319520/hong-kong-cat-expo-returns-wan-chai-ancient-egyptian-theme?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Jul 2025 04:00:08 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hongkongers are increasingly pampering their pet cats, according to a survey that estimates the local market is worth HK$2.4 billion (US$305.7 million) a year thanks to owners who spend an average of about HK$2,000 a month on their feline companions. The Exhibition Group, organiser of the Hong Kong Cat Expo 2025, said on Wednesday the annual market size had grown by 9 per cent against last year. “The cat market in Hong Kong has continued to expand, and the consumption structure has also become... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3319322/hk2000-month-cats-hongkongers-spending-more-feline-friends-poll-finds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3319322/hk2000-month-cats-hongkongers-spending-more-feline-friends-poll-finds?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Jul 2025 12:04:58 +0000 Olga Wong Olga Wong A Hong Kong pet shop owner has been arrested for the alleged theft of 35 of his customers’ cats which he used to repay debts to a loan company, with the felines estimated to be valued at more than HK$623,000 (US$79,870), the Post has learned. The owner, surnamed Chan, 44, had a shop in Hung Hom, which also offered consignment and pet-sitting services, a source said on Thursday. The source said Chan took out a loan of HK$210,000 from a company in August last year. The firm demanded repayment on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3316872/hong-kong-pet-shop-owner-arrested-alleged-theft-35-cats-repay-loan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3316872/hong-kong-pet-shop-owner-arrested-alleged-theft-35-cats-repay-loan?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:22:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Humans are not the only ones who experience heatstroke: our four-legged friends can suffer from it too. And with summers getting more intense around the world, they are at more risk than ever. The data speaks for itself, with the World Meteorological Organization confirming that 2024 was the warmest year on record. Hong Kong, too, sweltered through scorching temperatures in 2024, logging its hottest year since records began in 1884 – and this year is shaping up to be another summer of hot... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3315642/how-prevent-heatstroke-dogs-and-other-pets-summer-plus-symptoms-and-treatment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3315642/how-prevent-heatstroke-dogs-and-other-pets-summer-plus-symptoms-and-treatment?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Jun 2025 04:15:07 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong must tighten animal cruelty laws to prevent more dogs from being mutilated and dying while consumer demand for cropped tails and ears in pets makes such practices difficult to phase out, experts have said. The calls for urgent amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance on Monday followed the death last week of a two-month-old female Doberman puppy from infections caused by ear cropping. The puppy was found abandoned in Cherry Street Park near Yau Ma Tei with 8cm... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3314659/puppys-death-sparks-calls-hong-kong-quickly-tighten-animal-cruelty-laws?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3314659/puppys-death-sparks-calls-hong-kong-quickly-tighten-animal-cruelty-laws?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:30:12 +0000 Jiang Chuqin Jiang Chuqin Hong Kong’s environment chief has ruled out flexible quarantine arrangements, including at home, for imported cats and dogs, but will consider extending hours and increasing the number of checkpoints for pet transport from mainland China. Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan told a Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday that existing quarantine facilities were sufficient for imported pets, adding that the government would not consider altering the quarantine method for now due to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3314009/hong-kong-environment-chief-rejects-relaxed-quarantine-rules-imported-pets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3314009/hong-kong-environment-chief-rejects-relaxed-quarantine-rules-imported-pets?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Jun 2025 09:07:43 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Hong Kong Airlines is looking to expand a newly launched service that allows passengers to bring their pets into cabins to more destinations, as strong demand has led to bookings being filled until mid-November. In an exclusive interview with the Post last week, Hong Kong Airlines president Jeff Sun Jianfeng revealed plans to expand the carrier’s pet-in-cabin service and introduce family-friendly products that would benefit children and the elderly in a bid to woo customers as an... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3312629/hong-kong-airlines-expand-pet-cabin-service-bookings-full-till-november?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3312629/hong-kong-airlines-expand-pet-cabin-service-bookings-full-till-november?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Jun 2025 04:23:43 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Recently, three horses perished on Hong Kong racetracks in a week, including Liberty Island, a high-profile thoroughbred from Japan. Globally, the issues of drugs, fatal injuries, whipping,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3310605/cruelty-gambling-horses-hong-kong-must-end?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3310605/cruelty-gambling-horses-hong-kong-must-end?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 May 2025 03:30:08 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong veterinarians are reporting higher rates of poor health among online-bought cats and dogs compared with those purchased at physical stores, the Consumer Council has said, adding that it suspects nearly all internet-based canine sellers it had checked were involved in illegal smuggling or unlicensed breeding, among other issues. In a report published on Thursday, the city’s consumer watchdog said it had conducted a study alongside the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3310414/hong-kong-vets-report-higher-rates-poor-health-online-bought-cats-dogs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3310414/hong-kong-vets-report-higher-rates-poor-health-online-bought-cats-dogs?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 May 2025 04:19:48 +0000 Jiang Chuqin Jiang Chuqin Hong Kong will slash the quarantine time for cats and dogs imported from mainland China from the current 120 days to 30 next month, amid calls to ease travel restrictions for pet owners and reduce cross-border animal smuggling. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department revealed on Tuesday that the new rules would take effect on June 3. “Cats and dogs imported from the mainland that meet the relevant quarantine requirements and are accompanied by an animal health certificate issued... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3310216/hong-kong-cut-quarantine-cats-and-dogs-mainland-30-days-120?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3310216/hong-kong-cut-quarantine-cats-and-dogs-mainland-30-days-120?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 May 2025 13:42:22 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification The abrupt closure of Alliance Medical Group has once again sparked concerns over consumer protection for prepaid services. While the most high-profile case last year was the shutdown of fitness... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3309665/hong-kong-must-come-grips-risks-prepaid-service-contracts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3309665/hong-kong-must-come-grips-risks-prepaid-service-contracts?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 May 2025 03:30:07 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification It is not surprising that more than 281,000 Hong Kong residents left the city over the Labour Day weekend (“Hong Kong welcomes 213,000 mainland tourists as ‘golden week’ break starts”, May 1). But... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3309212/how-hong-kong-travel-agents-can-raise-their-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3309212/how-hong-kong-travel-agents-can-raise-their-game?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 May 2025 03:30:08 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Owners should be allowed to travel with their pets on more train routes and not be limited to weekends and public holidays, some commuters have said in response to Thursday’s launch of a trial scheme allowing them to take their cats and dogs on Light Rail services. At Siu Hong station on Thursday, about 10 volunteers from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Animals Asia travelled on the first Light Rail train to allow pets on board. To prepare for the first day of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3308664/pet-owners-welcome-new-hong-kong-light-rail-service-say-more-can-be-done?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3308664/pet-owners-welcome-new-hong-kong-light-rail-service-say-more-can-be-done?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 May 2025 07:02:40 +0000 Among the five best things we have found to do in Hong Kong this weekend is sampling Japanese ice cream and getting a taste of the city’s underground music scene. 1. Japan’s Harlow Ice Cream and Beyond Coffee Roasters at Snack Baby With the warmer weather this week, there is no better time to treat yourself to a scoop or two of ice cream. While Hong Kong’s Central neighbourhood has an abundance of ice cream parlours, this weekend you’ll want to head to Snack Baby on Hollywood Road to sample... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3307934/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-april-25-27-including-dog-run?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3307934/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-april-25-27-including-dog-run?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Apr 2025 09:18:07 +0000 Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Leung Chai-yan was our friend before she became a public figure. We knew her as our boarding school dorm mate and, later, neighbour with a unique sense of humour, a mercurial energy and a brilliance... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3306553/friends-who-loved-her-leung-chai-yan-was-kind-brilliant-and-brave?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3306553/friends-who-loved-her-leung-chai-yan-was-kind-brilliant-and-brave?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Apr 2025 03:30:07 +0000 There is something for everyone in Hong Kong this weekend – including your pet dog. Here are our five recommendations. 1. Help your dogs live their best lives Join fellow dog lovers at Joint Dynamics Pedigree on Saturday afternoon, April 12, from 3 to 5pm to learn the secrets to having a happy, healthy pet. A panel of experts will answer questions. Veterinary physiotherapist Charlotte Davies from Joint Dynamics Pedigree, behavioural veterinarian and founder of Paws for Thought Dr Isabella Luk,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3306123/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-april-11-13?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3306123/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-april-11-13?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:15:07 +0000 Elizabeth Cheung Elizabeth Cheung At least four dogs in a rural area in Hong Kong have died from suspected poisoning, prompting a police investigation. Police received a report at around 8am on Friday from a pet owner on Kwu Tung South Road in Sheung Shui who said two of his dogs had gone missing and four others were dead in suspected poisoning cases. The dogs’ mouths were open when they were found dead. In a reply to the Post, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said its inspectors had travelled to the scene at... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3305199/hong-kong-police-probe-deaths-4-dogs-suspected-poisoning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3305199/hong-kong-police-probe-deaths-4-dogs-suspected-poisoning?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Apr 2025 05:15:53 +0000 With a projected 23 per cent decline in Primary One students over the next six years, Hong Kong is grappling with how to manage the structural shift in its education sector. Recently, the Education Bureau announced that two schools would not offer subsidised Primary One classes for the coming academic year, highlighting the urgency of the situation. In contrast to local schools, international schools in Hong Kong are known for their small class sizes, personalised support and superior... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3304533/hong-kong-must-think-small-when-it-comes-class-sizes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3304533/hong-kong-must-think-small-when-it-comes-class-sizes?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Apr 2025 03:30:10 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu Hongkongers who buy a HK$99 (US$12.70) monthly pass will be able to take their pets on Light Rail trains on weekends and public holidays starting from May 1 under the MTR Corporation’s trial run of its new animal-friendly policy. The rail giant said on Tuesday that the new pass, which does not include the standard fare, would allow commuters to travel with one cat or dog in an enclosed carrier. Other pets are not allowed, and owners may only purchase one pass every month. The Light Rail network,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3303766/hongkongers-can-take-pets-mtr-light-rail-trains-weekends-may-1?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3303766/hongkongers-can-take-pets-mtr-light-rail-trains-weekends-may-1?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Mar 2025 06:30:56 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation noted concerns about allowing pets onto trains could result in odour problems and health issues, representatives of animal concern groups said after a meeting with the rail giant on Monday. Lawmaker Edward Lau Kwok-fan and representatives of 70 groups attended the meeting and said they suggested limiting pet sizes to 20kg and designating train compartments as solutions. The meeting was held after the rail operator and franchised bus firm KMB said last week that they... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3302743/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-worried-about-odour-health-issues-pet-friendly-rides?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3302743/hong-kongs-mtr-corp-worried-about-odour-health-issues-pet-friendly-rides?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Mar 2025 15:49:14 +0000