If you are looking to add a furry friend to your family, your first stop should be one of the numerous shelters across Hong Kong! There are many, many, MANY reasons you should adopt and not shop, but guest blogger, Kopal of @adoptdontshop shall just reiterate a few of those reasons below.
First and foremost, you’re saving a life. A animal adopted from shelter or rescue is getting a second chance at a good life. You might not know where they are coming from or what their story is, but the day you get them home, you will be giving them a new one.
Also, you will stop the terrible racket that is the breeding industry. While not all breeders are awful, it is a profit-making practice, and many dogs are used just to create puppies that can be sold for exorbitant prices. This is especially bad for breeds such as French bulldogs or pugs which have been bred for their looks and have terrible health conditions including breathing difficulties, hip and spine issues and other allergies. Similar things can be said for cats. Just read the news about the huskies or imported cats and dogs in cages.
It is also great on your pocket! While there are minimal costs for adoption, it is nothing compared to the cost of buying a dog or cat. In Hong Kong, a pet can cost tens of thousands of dollars, versus adoption which costs between 2 and 5 thousand dollars. You can use all the money you save to buy goodies for your new pet!
To make your adoption journey easier, here is a complete list of all the adoption agencies, shelters and rescues in Hong Kong from where you can adopt your new pet.
Catherine's Puppies
Catherine's Puppies, founded by Catherine Lumsden in 2015, opens daily between 11am-4pm.
They host regular adoption days at various locations across Sai Kung, including Centro and Pet Central. Address: Ho Chung, Sai Kung
Contact: Whattsap 6799 7530 for enquiries or email catherinespuppyhut@gmail.com
Website: www.catherinespuppies.com
Facebook: catherinespuppies
Instagram: @catherinepuppies
Guard For Stray Welfare Association
HK Homeless Dogs
Home for Homeless Dog
Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR)
Hong Kong Paws
Hong Kong Saving Cats and Dogs Association (HKSCDA)
House of Joy and Mercy
Kelly Animal Shelter
Kirsten's Zoo
Lifelong Animal Protection (LAP)
Love Adopt Animal Society
Love Fluffy Home
PAWMISELAND
Paws United Charity
PGRS Life
Rescue Centre for Abandoned Pets (RCAP)
Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation (SKSFF)
Society for Abandoned Animals (SAA)
Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
TAILS Lantau
Tobby's Friends Adoption
Villa Kunterbunt (VKBL)
Whiskers N Paws
And if it is overwhelming, which this process very much can be, a good place to start is to follow the instagram account, @adoptdontshop - they collate a number of dogs available for adoption currently! Also join the facebook groups Hong Kong Foster Pawrents and Hong Kong Dog Owners for more information.