Reports on Rescuing and rehoming abandoned dogs in Hong Kong

Project Report | Aug 27, 2019
Looking ahead to the autumn

By Sally Andersen | Founder and Chairperson

We have quite a few slightly older puppies who miss out on adoption events if the weather means they can't be outside, and one of them was chosen today from the Homing Centre today. Salad has been with us for some time, during the awful outbreak of disease which meant all puppies needed to be quarantined. Once things had settled we had those in Salad's group tested for any signs of the distemper virus, and happily all were negative so we could safely let them mix, and be put up for adoption

I can hardly believe it will be September on Sunday as the months have sped by and it's almost autumn. It's been a good year for adoptions so far, although never high enough to make a dent in the number of dogs we have to look after, especially at our Tai Po Homing Centre. There are so many that I'm convinced will be with us for just a short time before being adopted, but I'm wrong too often. Timing and luck are everything in the game of life, as well as just being in the right place at the right time.

As you'll know if you follow us on social media, September means the beginning of the fundraising season, and unfortunately due to the current upheavals in Hong Kong we won't be able to hold our traditional Peak to Fong event in November. We're looking at alternative venues that aren't public areas, but for now we're concentrating on "Bohemian Pupsody" which is taking place at the Aberdeen Marina Club on Saturday 21st September, with guest hosts Vita Starkin and DJ Barry Gold.

These fundraising events are hugely important to us and we're obviously extremely disappointed that the biggest one of all won't be happening, at least in the form of the walk from the Peak to Lan Kwai Fong. That means we're relying more than ever on the one big evening event that will be taking place, and asking that you help by donating prizes for the auctions, or even better by buying tickets and being there on the night to show your support.

The Earlybird discount runs until 1st September, so you have the rest of the week to get your friends together to make up a table.
Please visit our website https://hongkongdogrescue.com/event/charityparty/sponsors/ for all details, including ticket purchase.

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Jun 3, 2019
Off to an amazing start

By Sally Andersen | Founder and Chairperson

We started the month of June with lots of happy adoptions, the first being puppy Kibble at Tai Po who has his own lovely family now as well as another dog to play with. Kibble's adult lookalike relatives, Ivory and Tusk, are still waiting to be chosen, and they are only a year old so the perfect age if you want a young dog but not a puppy.

Long-termer Tai Po dog Dapple had her adoption confirmed by one of our regular volunteers after a trial period with ex-HKDR Plum. As with so many I remember Dapple from her puppy days, so I'm very happy that the long wait for a home is over for her now.

New pug Twiglet was the first Ap Lei Chau dog to leave the Homing Centre, followed by poodle Twizzle. Schnauzer Hopper, who was surrendered only yesterday, didn't have to wait more than a day before being taken to his new home for a trial with one of our ex-HKDR dogs, so he's a very lucky little dog.

I decided to send a couple of the Ap Lei Chau adults to Concordia Pet Care in the afternoon, and it seems it was the right decision for Freckles as he was adopted from there. French bulldog Peppa wasn't as lucky so she is still waiting, but puppy Jerry was also chosen to go home.

Freckles, Twizzle and Twiglet were all part of the group that arrived at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre just one week ago, and if everything goes as expected there will be some more coming to us on Sunday. Watch this space for news and updates.

I do need to mention that we sadly lost one of our poodles today as well. It was coincidental that Debbie wasn't very well and had been due to go to a foster home so her health issues could be sorted out, but it seems she picked up and swallowed a piece of rubber while out on a walk. At least that's what we assume since she vomited it up, then subsequently collaped and couldn't be revived, even though she was rushed to Acorn. Dr Joe said he didn't think her death was caused by her illness, and we will never really know but have to assume the piece of rubber was to blame. Although whatever she swallowed wasn't from the Homing Centre, it's a strong reminder to make sure there are no little bits of anything lying around that can be swallowed and lodge in a dog's throat. Make sure balls are the right size for your dog too, as if too small they can also be swallowed (ask any labrador owner) and that toys don't have bits that can be detached or chewed off.

Ivory and Tusk are still waiting

It was a long wait but Dapple is finally in a home

Bye sweet Twiglet!

Freckles was also a short-stay dog

Twizzle only came to us a week ago

Lucky pup Jerry was adopted at Concordia Pet Care Adoption Day

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Mar 5, 2019
Always puppies and more puppies

By Sally Andersen | Founder and Chairperson

We were back at AFCD today to take out the four new baby pups that arrived over the weekend, luckily a bit older than the seven real babies so able to eat by themselves. They really tucked in when given their dinner and it's always good to see puppies devouring their meals as lack of appetite is the first sign that something's wrong.

There was good news about one of the puppies taken for fostering on Sunday as little Dobby's adoption was confirmed. He was one of the group of seven from the illegal breeder/hoarder, and from his looks and size I'm guessing there's shiba inu in there somewhere, but who knows.

There was another slightly older non-fluffy that we had put together with Dobby, and although both were
scared on arrival at our Homing Centre they are quite different now and very happy. Iris shared photos of Cotton holding and licking her hand, and I also saw her playing with the other puppies. Cotton is also a smaller sized mixed breed, although we have no idea what that mix could be.

The two remaining fluffy pups from the group went to Acorn today to have their blood re-checked, as they had tick fever, or something causing anaemia. The conditions at the place they escaped from are so bad that there isn't a dog or puppy that's totally healthy and we know many die before they can be rescued. This ongoing situation is really upsetting as there's nothing we can do until we find out where the place is.

As always we have so many lovely and healthy adults waiting for homes, and please do visit our Tai Po Homing Centre to meet them (see map below). Many adopters are swayed by the cuteness of puppies, but in terms of behaviour, looks and size when you choose an adult you know exactly what you are getting. A lot of our dogs are only a year old so you still have a full lifetime to share.