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Pets

Pets
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Pets. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A photo of Axle circulating on social media (left) and a screenshot from the viral video showing the moments before the dog was fatally beaten in Sadanga, Mountain Province. Photos: Handout
The Philippines

Brutal dog killing in Philippines sparks outrage, calls for tougher protections

Viral footage of Axle the dog’s shocking death has galvanised the country’s animal activists to demand harsh legal repercussions.

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Viral stories

Japan security guard’s bond with cat moves many; museum honours feline’s memory

Animals

When did domestic cats arrive in Europe? Much later than previously thought

Trending in China

Labrador lost on China beach found 1,500km away 3 months later, reunited with owner

‘Lazy’ canine called September wanders off with another dog, is found after exhaustive search; develops more ‘willing’ temperament as result.

A Labrador in China which wandered off in August has been found in November, 1,500 kilometers away from home. Photo: SCMP composite/163.com
Trending in China

China 3-legged puppy, destined to be put down, becomes effective SWAT police dog

Crime-fighting canine forms special emotional bond with his ‘comrade’ handler who also has leg problems; pair share sense of ‘hardship’.

Animals

What is ‘hobby dogging’? Trend of training imaginary dogs ridiculed online

‘Hobby dogging’, where dog lovers train with imaginary pets on the end of leashes and harnesses, has taken off in Germany.

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Trending in China

Chinese woman’s pet alpaca dies from cold after groomers fail to dry it properly

Animal from species regarded as ‘pet celebrities’ online is considered adorable and intelligent, was left overnight with damp fur.

A Chinese woman took her pet alpaca to a pet shop for grooming, but due to the negligence of an employee the animal’s fur was not properly dried, leading to its death from hypothermia. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
Trending in China

Elderly China woman tearfully hugs pet duck killed by car, mourns loss of companion

Many recognise that the duck had become the woman’s emotional anchor and spiritual support.

New Openings

Hong Kong new openings, from new music venue Tides to a pet club in West Kowloon

Italian pasticceria Cova reopens in Pacific Place, a new pickleball venue offers four indoor courts, and pets come first at WestK Pet Club.

South Korea

South Korea’s growing crisis of illegal puppy sales on YouTube spark concerns

One advocate group claims many animals are bred in poor conditions, with dogs kept in cramped, unsanitary cages and bred repeatedly for profit.

Livestreams of pet sales on YouTube. Photo: Youtube
Sustainability

Is your pet’s dinner harming the environment as much as driving a car?

Your pet’s diet harms the planet more than you think – but there are ways to minimise carbon footprint while keeping your cat or dog full.

A dog looks out of a car window. The pollution created from the meat that dogs and cats consume in the US is equivalent to the pollution created from driving 13.6 million cars for a year, according to one study. Photo: AP
Crime

Letters | Donkeys slaughtered for their skin is a tragedy on multiple levels

Readers discuss the illicit trade’s damage to animal, human and environmental well-being, and how the city can have both halal and pet-friendly restaurants.

Trending in China

Outrage in China over release of 1,100 cats into reservoir in ‘life release’ ritual

Paddleboarders battle to save terrified felines as they struggle to swim during ‘Buddhist’ ritual; animal protection staff say many perished.

Trending in China

China pet owners honour Dog God, offer food, bless by placing leashes in incense ashes

Pet lovers flock to country’s only pagoda dedicated to canines, in search of protection, good fortune, health for their animals.

Growing numbers of young pet owners in China are visiting a unique mountain pagoda to bless and bring good health to their dogs. Photo: RedNote
Trending in China

China blogger claims stray cats are bled by illicit blood bank for pet clinics

Woman says extraction process sees cats hung upside down to make sure every last drop of blood is drained from their bodies.

A blogger in China has exposed an illegal market in animal blood, claiming that stray cats are bled and their vital fluid sold to pet hospitals for high prices. Photo: Douyin
Viral stories

Turkish man pays US$240 in ‘cat support’ to ex-wife, highlights new divorce trend

Legal first sees well-being of felines taken care of until they die; legal experts say payments cannot be considered alimony.

China jobs

Who’s hiring in China? Pet care and advanced manufacturing stand out

Advanced manufacturing and ‘modern services’ led the way in job creation in third quarter, report says.

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Trending in China

Chinese man quits ‘great job’ to provide therapy dogs which help autistic, depressed people

Animal therapy pioneer persists in face of opposition from his father to build a pioneering service that uses dogs, cats for healing.

A man who launched the Paw for Heal programme in China in 2012, now has more than 300 service dogs which help children with autism, people with depression and the elderly. Photo: SCMP composite/health.ycwb.com
Trending in China

Dog driving mobility scooter goes viral; China owner says pet can also skateboard

Clever canine that can start and stop specially modified vehicle using its paws is pulled over by police; owner gets verbal warning.

Trending in China

Explainer | Why Tibetan New Year offers feast for dogs and divinatory significance of food choices

Canine custom sees dogs choose from array of delicacies symbolising what future holds; owners must show reverence to animal throughout.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

A perfect purr-scription? How ‘pet doctors’ can help Hong Kong hospital patients

Hospital Authority to allow palliative care patients to spend time with pets and already has volunteer animals to comfort those in need.

Patient Fung spends time with “Dr” Goofy at Caritas Medical Centre. Photo: Sun Yeung
Animals

Dogs flying in cargo hold count as baggage, top EU court rules

A passenger’s pet, Mona, was lost after escaping from an aircraft, prompting a dispute over compensation from the airline.

Mona escaped while being taken to the plane and was never seen again. Photo: Facebook/buscandoamona
Animals

Does your dog want to play all the time? Why that could be a bad thing

Some dogs’ excessive play and attachment to their toys is similar to behaviours exhibited by human addicts, and could be just as damaging.

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Some pet toys in Hong Kong have chemicals that can cause allergies: watchdog

But Consumer Council says 97 per cent of tested dog toys comply with migration limits stipulated in European safety standard for children’s toys.

Animals

Have you lost a family pet? How to talk to your children about it

Honest conversations with no euphemisms, sharing the grief and recalling good memories can help children heal and understand a pet’s death.

If your family pet is dying, help your children come to terms with it by using clear language, allowing them to grieve and leaving room for closure. Photo: Reuters
China property

China’s property managers pivot to elderly and pet care amid real estate woes

Management firms explore new income streams as homeowners demand fee cuts amid falling property prices.

Some property management firms in China have been looking into new areas of growth, including offering grocery shopping services for a fee. Photo: Reuters
Trending in China

China dog risks life to save owner from snake, gets bitten, is recovering

Caring canine steps in after venomous pit viper appears in garden, owner drives for hours to get hands on snakebite medicine.

Hong Kong economy

Letters | What Hong Kong must do to truly harness the pet economy’s potential

Readers discuss a proposed scheme to allow pet dogs in restaurants, increasing accountability in the bureaucracy, and museums in deficit.

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