Thurs 8th June: Ownership complications

Some dog stories are very complicated, and made more so by the vague laws regarding dog ownership in Hong Kong.  I suspect this came about because when the rules were made there weren't that many dogs and few, if any, breeders and pet shops here, so now they often hinder instead of helping.  A dog license is valid for three years which is stated very clearly on the form, yet ownership is for ever according to AFCD.  By that I mean that even if a license is years out of date, the person named as the registered owner still has rights over anyone else.  I have in the past asked if this has ever been challenged in court (answer no), because it often results in the dog being held at AFCD in limbo for a very long time or creates complications which don't help anyone, least of all the dog.  I have previously been tempted to be the first person to take this matter to court when I've felt that it was unfair, but fortunately the matter was resolved without having to do so.

NOT available for adoption at this point

There are currently two cases ongoing which involve dogs that are stuck in a no-man's-land, both of which we could easily find new homes for but are unable to help due to the ownership laws.  One has been at AFCD for a long time, while the other one came to us today as a result of the owner being evicted from his home by bailiffs.  I had been approached by the lawyers handling the case and asked if we could help the dog, who would also be made homeless once the property was taken back, and as  it was a small-sized one I said we could take it.  However when the dog, a very lovely little white boy, was brought to our Homing Centre today it came with the warning that the owner refused to surrender it and on no account could we re-home. There were two alternatives, one being to send the poor dog to AFCD to be held in exactly the same hopeless situation as the other small dog currently there, or take it in and see what we could do to resolve the case.  Naturally we chose the latter, and this could be the time for me to set a legal precedent by challenging ownership.  In the meantime at least this particular dog can enjoy the companionship and daily walks that the one being held at AFCD cannot.

Sweet Wonka

We were once again without a van today (and also on Friday) but I really had to get to Pokfulam to take out a Stanley Barracks dog that had been waiting for a long time (one of those who hadn't been approved for re-homing while the vet was on leave), as I was told he wasn't well.  This dog is the brother of Crunchie, who was lucky enough to leave AFCD just before the month-long delay and who was subsequently adopted.  I also knew there were three puppies that had arrived since my last visit, so I asked Kathy in the office if she could come with me to help get them all out and into a Gogovan.

Crunchie, same style, different colour

It was particularly lucky that this van driver is a dog lover, because the Stanley Barracks dog really wasn't well and was suffering from acute diarrhoea, which became more than apparent throughout the drive to Acorn.  Thankfully there was a waterproof cover in the back and there were no complaints from the driver, and of course both Kathy and myself are very used to such things.  I ended up calling the new dog Wonka, not because of his dodgy stomach but because it seems that one of his back legs must have been broken at some point, and he also has entropian in one eye.  Still, he's a young boy, not more than a year old, and as sweet as his brother Crunchie, so I hope he won't have to wait too long to find a family to love him.

One of the 3 new and lovely breeder dogs

The three new breeder dogs Carla, Harper and Kimberly (two collies and a golden retriever) were waiting at Acorn after having gone there for their health checks, and I was so happy to hear that they were all clear of heartworm and in good health other than minor things like ear infection. They are lovely dogs, really very sweet, and I can't imagine they will be with us for very long at all.

We have many incredible supporters, and I'm thrilled to be able to say that the TNR volunteer who had run out of funding can get back to business thanks to the generous offers made.  This is something that really has a direct effect on the stray dog situation and saves hundreds, if not thousands, of lives, so thank you.

Run Allan, run!

We had a great volunteer dog walker at Tai Po today, unfortunately just temporarily, but Instagrammer Allan Dixon was at the Homing Centre from morning until closing time.  We are in need of more weekday "Allans", strong and tireless volunteers, so if you can help out by coming to walk the dog please check out the details and application form on our website www.hongkongdogrescue.com.