Sat 17th March: Open every single day of the year

We are open every single day of the year, no exceptions.

From my perspective Hong Kong seems to enjoy endless Public Holidays, with Easter coming up just after we have seen the end of Chinese New Year.  I don't take holidays and neither do our Homing Centres, as once again I'm being asked the same question:  will you be open over Easter?  Yes, we are open every single day of the year, and that includes all weekends, Public Holidays and even typhoons.  The dogs have to be fed and taken care of so the doors are open to all adopters and volunteers too.  Every single day.

Another frequently asked question: do we need volunteers?  Yes, we always need volunteers and all of the information is up on our website www.hongkongdogrescue.com, along with everything else you need to know about HKDR and our dogs.  However you do need to be 18 years old to be a volunteer, and no, we can't make exceptions.  We know that many under-18s are responsible, intelligent, caring and mature, but unfortunately we still have to say no, sorry.

William and Harry, together for ever

I said there was going to be a double adoption at Ap Lei Chau today, and the  lucky pair are sweethearts William and Harry.  We had been waiting for a home that could take both as they are always together (usually sleeping) and finally their day came.  Now they can snooze in comfort for the rest of their lives, however long that might be.  King Charles Cavaliers are probably one of the most genetically unhealthy breeds, with heart and brain problems being very common.  William and Harry both have pretty serious heart murmurs and it would be quite rare to find any King Charles who aren't affected in some way.

"Syringomyelia (SM) is reported to be very widespread in the cavalier King Charles spaniel breed. Syringomyelia is a disorder of the brain and spinal cord, which may cause severe head and neck pain and possible paralysis".

It's very sad, not to mention cruel and unethical, that such breeds with a known predisposition to often fatal conditions are still being bred and sold (and bought).  Just like the very popular French bulldog, the latest fad in breed fashion, these dogs suffer terribly due to human stupidity and vanity.  If you absolutely must have a certain breed you can still adopt, it might just mean waiting a bit.  The cruel breeders only exist because they have customers who buy, so please don't.

Emu will have to be returned from her foster home this Sunday

Sunday is, of course, Puppy Afternoon at Whiskers N Paws, and as I'm typing this I'm still undecided about whether or not to send the new baby pups there.  They are available to meet at our own Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre anyway, and we have so many older puppies (around four months) still waiting for homes that I don't want to draw attention away from them.  I know most adults, and parents especially, are quite sensible about the benefits of adopting a slightly older pup, one that is fully vaccinated and ready for walks, and almost, if not entirely, toilet trained.  It's the children who are drawn to the cute babies, and they seem to have strong persuasive powers over their parents.

Ebony was returned from foster last Sunday and she needs a new home

Take a look at the beautiful photos by Eric Tang from last week's puppy Sunday and choose who you would like to take home.  At this age we know them well, and as almost all have been in foster homes they are very used to family life Puppy Adoption Day 11 March 2018