Mon 22nd April: Never-ending surrenders

 It seems that most people have no idea what working in animal rescue is like, judging from the number of requests we receive from dog owners asking us to find a new home for their four-legged family members.  There seems to be an assumption that it's really very easy to re-home adult (mongrel) dogs, never mind that there are literally thousands of them in the many shelters across Hong Kong, not to mention at AFCD Centres.  

Why would we still have around four hundred at our Tai Po Homing Centre, even including a lovely and friendly labrador, if adopters were pouring through our doors looking for such dogs?  Even super-sweet and young Gabby, with her amazing personality and short stubby legs, can't attract more than fleeting interest before becoming just another dog that nobody wants.  How can people be so callous in their abandonment of a loyal and loving dog, a family member that has done nothing wrong other than to be surplus to requirement when things change?

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Today was more about such surrender requests than adoption enquiries, and the worst of all are from people who adopted puppies from other organisations but then expect HKDR to take them in as adults. Can these people have any idea what it's like to receive these emails, the ones that say how sweet and lovely the dogs are but the family are moving/leaving so the dog needs to find a new home?  I so often regret checking emails before going to bed and seeing surrender forms, and the various excuses for abandonment.

To everyone who wants to dump their dog(s), please pay a visit to our Tai Po Homing Centre and see what the situation is, especially during heavy rain.  Choose the place where you think your dog(s) can fit in, and will be happy.  I can guarantee there is no such magic welcome for any poor dog that arrives confused, scared, and wondering what they have done wrong. 

Adoption is for life, and barring the very few genuine cases, there is never a reason to give up on a dog that has no choice or options.  THINK before you adopt.

Sat 20th April: Saturday round-up

 Is it a coincidence that the top three dogs in this photo selection found homes today?  It does seem quite funny, but maybe it's just how things worked out.

Goodbye sweet Belinda

They weren't the only lucky ones at Kennedy Town however, as Belinda also left today, while Eddie, who had been on a short trial, had his adoption confirmed.

Eddie had his adoption confirmed

Also passing their trial with the resident cats, Belgian shepherd puppies Nancy and Nolan has their permanent status confirmed.  This was a wonderful result for the Tai Po team, because these two are going to be very large and active dogs, and they have found the perfect home for all of that energy. 

Nancy and Nolan heading home

We know that at least a couple more dogs will be picked up from our Kennedy Town Homing Centre on Sunday, and hopefully there will be more visitors coming to meet the many more available dogs and puppies.  The rain might be heavy at times, but nothing closes our doors, not even a Typhoon 10! 

Please remember to complete the questionnaire if you're interested in adopting any of our dogs or puppies.  This isn't a commitment from either side to agree to adoption, it's just the first step in helping us to find the perfect match for you and your home/family.  The form is at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/, and it's available in either English or Chinese.  Please give as much information as you can in the space allocated.  Thank you. 

Weds 17th April: More newbies at Kennedy Town

Today's new arrivals 

 As usual, the few dogs that we were expecting today turned out to be double the number, so there were eight new arrivals at Kennedy Town, and with two more still to come.  At least these dogs are young and very sweet, so if you're interested in adopting please start by completing the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/. 

The earlier intake 

All of the dogs will be heading off to Acorn on Thursday morning for their routine health checks and vaccinations, so although they won't be at the Kennedy Town Homing Centre for most of the day we have many others for you to meet.

Enzo and Echo 

Some dogs left Kennedy Town, including mini pinschers Enzo and Echo, as well as gorgeous terrier type Freckles.

Freckles 

In addition, the shiba puppy Danno, who had to have his front leg amputated, has also been adopted by his foster home. 

We still have quite a collection of shibas available for adoption (including Riku), although this breed may not be suitable for some homes due to their strong personality.  That's why it's important to start with completing the questionnaire so we can try to match the dog with the home, making both sides happy.

We're getting ready to move out of our Elgin Street space, which has been our shop, office and Red Dog Centre for the past two years.  The dogs and office will be squeezing into the small space at North Street, Kennedy Town, while the merchandise that remains unsold will have to go to the warehouse, to be used at any upcoming events.  If you want to take advantage of the special prices on all of the many items on sale now, please hurry to 22 Elgin Street, Soho, any weekday between 10am and 6pm.

Mon 15th April: 4 more incoming

Coming on Tuesday - 1 year old 

 Just as a quick update, in addition to the four dogs that arrived on Sunday (three of whom had medical issues), we have another four coming in.  Happily this group appear from the photos to be young and healthy, but as they aren't with us yet I will have to go by the photos we were sent. 

Coming on Tues - 4 years old 

Coming on Tues - 1 year old 

I also want to thank everyone who donated towards the costs for the recent arrivals.   They have all been to Acorn now for their initial health check and assessment, and appointments will be made for the next stage for the three who need further treatment.  

Spaniel (black & white), male: Google, 8 years old

He only has one eye and the other isn't functioning well. He also has blood in urine and faeces.

Terrier (cream), female: Greta, 1 year old

Missing one paw and left eye seems to have issue.

Poodle (brown): Georgia, 2 years old

Front leg bent outward causing limping.

To donate:

FPS ID / 轉數快ID: 0374595

Payme QR code in comment

Alipay QR code in comment

Bank transfer: HSBC 741-263776-838 (HKDR Ltd)

Donation over $100 can have tax-deductible receipt issued on request.

Thank you!

Gringo is fully healtky

Shiba coming on Tues - 2 years old 

Fri 12th April: Coming up for a busy weekend

This labrador is 4 years old 

 I wasn't planning on writing a blog today but I'm so happy about some of the adoptions that I wanted to share the good news. We also have new small dogs coming in soon, as well as a labrador from AFCD, and hopefully Saturday will be busy at the Upper House adoption event so we'll be able to squeeze all the newcomers in.  

Lots of our small dogs will be here on Saturday

Patsy is a happy girl! 

Patsy was one of the happy adoptions, especially as she had already been in two foster homes and we really wanted her not to have to move again.  She's such a sweet girl and she's fitted in perfectly with her new family, so it's wonderful news.

Nancy 

Nolan 

Also not dogs that are easy to find suitable homes for, the two Belgian shepherd (Malinois) puppies, Nancy and Nolan, will be heading off to a wonderful new life on Saturday.  All they have to do is get along with the cats and their adoption can be confirmed.  Be good puppies!

Please be sure to complete the adoption questionnaire if you're interested in meeting any of our dogs, including those going to the Upper House event on Saturday, or the Whiskers N Paws puppy party on Sunday.  The questionnaire isn't a commitment to adopt (on either side) it's just the starting point in the process.

www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/.

Weds 11th April: Stand by for incoming.....

This adorable puppy only has half a front leg

 Yes, we have new small dogs coming, as well as four puppies who will be going straight to foster homes. You'll be able to follow at least two of the puppies on Instagram @why_i_foster, so keep a lookout for those posts.  

The small dogs are mostly young "no breed" adults, but one appears from the photo to be a tiny terrier-type puppy with half a front let missing, so we'll be needing a foster home for that one.  

If you can foster any of our dogs or puppies that need to be in a home for one reason or another, please complete the form at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/, or if you have already done that and have been in touch with Cindy before, please email her at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com. 

We have another puppy needing the same front leg amputation, and he's the ex-breeder shiba inu now called Danno. 

Bambi is a very lucky girl 

Happily three dogs have left the Kennedy Town Centre so at least that's created a tiny bit of space, and hopefully the new arrivals will find homes pretty quickly.  One of those leaving is Erica, a miniature pinscher, and if all works out well in her foster homes she should be able to stay forever.  

Harley heading home 

The other two are Harley and Bambi, so they have just started their new lives as family members.  

Charming young Enzo is available 

Remember we still have lots of small and medium-sized dogs available for adoption at our Kennedy Town Homing Centre, and you can start the process by completing the form at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/.

I know I shouldn't get excited about potential adoptions, but we have some Tai Po Homing Centre dogs who have appointments with prospective families coming up, and I can't help but build up hope that everything works out. 

Sun 7th April: A Sunday round-up

Marlon and Spud 

 Although there were no adoptions at today's regular Puppy Party that takes place every Sunday at Whiskers N Paws, two puppies were held back at our Kennedy Town Homing Centre because they had an appointment with their new daddy-to-be.  The lucky pair were shy Spud and outgoing Marlon, and I'm sure they're going to have a wonderful life together. 

Small-medium Renee with her frosted sugar lips

To see the other puppies still waiting for home please take a look at the photos by Jimmy Tsang, a long-term regular volunteer photographer who has been helping us for so many years with his wonderful shots  Puppy Adoption Day 7th April 2024.

Dimple and Flora weren't able to come today, but you can follow them on Instagram @foster_tails_hk.  These are two adorable youngsters who had previously been adopted together but subsequently came back to us.  

Willie will be having lots of fun

I'd already said that Willie the Weimaraner had been adopted, so this is his going home photo.  His new family already have dogs, one of whom was adopted from HKDR, so Willie will have lots of fun with them.

Well done Seth!

The best news from Tai Po was confirmation of "no-breed" Seth after a short trial with the resident dog.  These are the adoptions that make me really happy, in fact they make all of the Tai Po team happy. Please ask us about the many other sweet and friendly dogs that deserve to be in real homes rather that at the Homing Centre.