Thurs 8th Feb: The last of the breeder poodles freed

While waiting for the last of the home breeder poodles to arrive I received this message "Besides the 5 poodles, she also found there are a few black pups in cages covered with newspapers hidden at the backyard. The daughter said they were originally reserved for her father's use for ritual ceremony on the CNY eve but now are waiting to be taken back by the supplier" and naturally agreed to take the puppies too.  For anyone who doesn't know, eating dogs is illegal in Hong Kong but it still goes on in the New Territories especially during the winter months, and black is the favoured colour. Of course across the border in Mainland China, and in many other countries, dogs are openly sold for meat, but then so are many animals worldwide, as well as mammals such as whales and dolphins.  This is why I chose to stop eating meat decades ago, and subsequently dairy too, because as an animal rescuer I couldn't reconcile loving some and eating others.

It was a long and stressful day for the poodles

However, back to the dogs, I was told they would come after lunchtime so had planned to take them first to AFCD and then on to Acorn.  I guessed the poodles would either not be licensed or have expired licenses, and I needed to sort that out.  I arrived at the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre at two o'clock and waited for the van to come, and waited, and waited.  I had to cancel the three o'clock Acorn appointment so was then thinking I could at least get to AFCD by four thirty when they close, but the dogs didn't arrive until ten minutes before that time.  Even before looking in the van, I sent a message to AFCD letting them know I was coming with the dogs, and headed off to Pokfulam.

The AFCD staff were very helpful, and we started with the puppies (only two of which turned out to be black and all very sweet), then moved on to the poodles, all females and clearly the same family as the others we had taken in from the same breeder.  Only one of them was licensed, the oldest at seven years, two had no microchips and two had pet shop microchips but no registered owner.  Pet shops sell unsold puppies back to the breeders once they have passed a certain age, and so the cycle continues.

All poodles and puppies will go to Acorn on Friday and we will have to wait and see if they have heartworm, as the others from this breeder did.  Hopefully at least some will be lucky, and of course the puppies are too young to be infected.

It seemed appropriate that today was Syrup's big day

Syrup was the last of the three big puppies previously from this breeder's home to be adopted, and she left the Tai Po Homing Centre today with her new family.

I brought the four "meat" puppies back to Lamma, and one of them who is slightly older will be sent to Tai Po after her vet check and vaccination on Friday.  The pups were given worming tablets, sprayed with Frontline and fed a big meal, and as they are all very friendly they will be at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday.  They may not be first-time lucky, but I think they are very lucky anyway.

Continuing with the Year of the Dog collaborations:

Chinese New Year Wishing Knots

From now until 28 February, you can buy these lovely hand-made Wishing Knots with  100% of the proceeds going to HKDR, providing animals in need with much-needed help in the New Year and beyond!

These sets will be available for sale at the Pet Expo HKDR booth S11-12 this coming Friday to Sunday.  Each bracelet costs $50, $100 for a pair. 


HKDR will also be having a Charity Sale at Lee Tung Avenue on 23 & 25 February, plus a Chinese New Year Charity Walk on 25 February (Sunday) to raise some much-needed funds for the dogs in need! Please stay tuned for further details.