Weds 31st Jan: Roll on the Year of the Dragon!

 Well, that's it, a whole month has flown by and now we have Chinese New Year approaching with all of the pre-holiday slowdown that comes with it.  Still, there was one adoption from our Kennedy Town Homing Centre to add to the January total, and that was schnauzer girl Snazzy.  She will be "sister" to ex-HKDR Rex, who some of you may remember was a blind and almost-deaf boy who was so kindly given a forever home a few months ago. 

Rex stayed at Elgin Street before he was adopted

While one small dog left, four puppies arrived.  The surprise wasn't the puppies themselves, rather the fact that we were only expecting two, but thankfully there were two foster homes who were able to take a pair each.  

The puppies aren't from the same litter, as you can see from the photos, and you can follow the progress of two of them on Instagram @why_i_foster.  Yes, gorgeous boys Enzo and Bertie are also still in the same foster home, so it's going to be fun and games I'm sure.  Bertie is still a work in progress, as he arrived as a terrified puppy, even if really gorgeously cute, while Enzo is also beautiful and without any personality problems.  In fact I'm 100% sure that if it wasn't the wrong time of year for finding homes, Enzo would have been adopted a long time ago.

Enzo has a wonderful hairdo

 

The total adoptions for January were only twenty nine, a much lower number than our usual monthly figure.  I can't wait for the Year of the Dragon to start so we can get back to doing what we do best, finding forever homes for our dogs and puppies.  It's quite worrying to see the incoming numbers far exceed the outgoing, even if we know why this is the case. 

Tai Po Homing Centre

Jack (Multibreed)

Tilly (Multibreed)

Kennedy Town Homing Centre

Ino (Shiba Inu puppy)

Pringle (West Highland White Terrier puppy)

Dickie (Terrier cross)

Duster (Multibreed puppy)

Barry (Multibreed puppy)

Benjamin (Multibreed puppy)

Dasha (Shiba Inu puppy)

Kibble (Multibreed puppy)

Sugar (Multibreed)

Minky (Poodle)

Shona (Multibreed)

Snazzy (Schnauzer)

Whiskers N Paws

Fergus (Multibreed puppy)

Flora (Multibreed puppy)

Dudley (Multibreed puppy)

Dimple (Multibreed puppy)

Foster Homes

Filly (Multibreed puppy)

Button (Terrier cross puppy)

Beryl (Poodle)

Cola (Multibreed puppy)

Celia (Multibreed puppy)

Romy (Multibreed puppy)

Finn (Multibreed puppy)

Pudding (Sharpei cross)

Eccles (Multibreed puppy)

Bailey (Poodle)

Bilbo (Poodle)

Our Forever Dogs

Harry (Tai Po)

Jamie (Foster)

Zola (Lamma)

Rescued Dogs (Total: 54)

From AFCD: 17

From other sources: 37

Tues 30th Jan: What day is it?

Gorgeous Cosmo is only a year old 

 My mind seems to have been scrambled by all of the dramas, incoming dogs and whatever else is happening, and even though the week's barely started I have already lost track of which day it is.  To begin with, and as I wrote yesterday, I had to get my dog Zola to the vet as an emergency, and that meant other plans for the van being rearranged.  It wouldn't matter so much if it wasn't for the fact that the van had been booked in for servicing, which will take the rest of the week, so I was lucky in the sense that at least it was available in the morning.  Tragically, however, Zola has collapsed by the time she arrived at Acorn, and her life ended there. I'd had no inkling that there was anything wrong, and looking through some recent videos I'd taken of the dogs playing in the garden, I could see Zola with her tail up and wagging along with all of the others. 

The rest of the day seemed to follow on from how it started, so unfortunately I don't have any happy stories to share, only frustration that all potential adopters seem to be heading off for the Chinese New Year break and won't be taking any dogs home until they get back.  Thank goodness for foster homes is all I can say, because without them we'd need to build three layers of floor for the number of dogs we have at the moment.  

Actually it's not entirely true to say there's no happy news to share, because adoption from HKDR doesn't end when the dog or puppy goes to its new home, but continues with support from our very experienced trainer, Cactus, for as long as needed.  Richie was adopted as a young puppy but returned as an adolescent, apparently because he grew too big.  He stayed at our Tai Po Homing Centre for quite a long time until being chosen by another family who had already adopted from us.  Because Richie had previously been abandoned, he was terribly insecure about it happening again, and couldn't bear to be left alone.  Following advice from Cactus, and with a lot of patience from the adopters, Richie's behaviour and separation anxiety has totally changed:

Richie was adopted last October 

"Hi Cactus, I just wanted to send you an update for Pich (formerly Richie) and his separation anxiety. After 3 months we were finally able to leave Pich home alone without him panicking/barking nonstop. Previously we could not leave him for even 30 seconds without someone home or he would bark nonstop. Thankfully everyone in the family has been patient with working out schedules so that someone could always be home with him or we would bring him out with us. He went just about everywhere in Hong Kong a dog can possibly go. Aside from the obvious outdoor adventures he joined us at restaurants, our office, waiting outside ballet classes, the grocery store, and went to school pick ups and drop offs! 

Then this week it seemed something just changed for him mentally and during our "training" he was somehow totally calm when I left him so I felt comfortable to leave him. My helper was with the kids at a nearby house for a playdate so she checked on him in secret frequently and he was totally fine! 2 hours later he was totally content when everyone came home.

The same thing happened yesterday as we had about an hour of overlap in schedules and he was home alone. I asked a neighbor to check on him and once again he was totally fine the entire time.

We are thrilled! Not only for the sake of having a bit more flexibility with our schedules but also for Pich because it seems he is really settled in now with us :) He is also much more comfortable when we are home to go around on his own - no longer following me nonstop or crying outside the door if I'm in another room. 

Thank you for the support !!"

In case you aren't joining the mass exodus from Hong Kong, which has apparently already started, and in answer to the same question that is being asked, yes, we are open every single day of the year.  That includes all holidays, typhoons and anything else that may make you think we will close our doors for the day.  The dogs need to be fed, watered and walked, and the Centres need to be cleaned, so as long as there are people there to handle all of these necessary tasks, we welcome adopters too.   Please just make sure you have completed the adoption questionnaire in advance, at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/. 

You may also wonder why I've been so quiet about the potential move to a new Homing Centre, and that's because we're still waiting to hear back from the owner of the property.  It's difficult trying to make plans when you don't know where you'll be, and for everyone who initially contacted us with offers of help, please don't go away as I still hope you'll be needed! 

Mon 29th Jan: A quick update on the Kennedy Town dogs

 The worst thing about island life is when there's a night time emergency situation with one of the dogs and there's absolutely nothing you can do except wait for the morning.  That's what happened today, and having just seen Zola off on a sampan on her way to Acorn, I'm running late and don't have time for a full blog. 

We have a very full house at Kennedy Town now, so I want to share some of the photos of the available dogs and puppies. 

For all adoption enquiries please start by completing the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/, and for fostering the form is at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/.

We have puppies that need foster homes as well as seniors, and adults who need post-surgery care. 

Some of the younger dogs may be nervous even if they're very cute, so we'll recommend those that are suitable for homes with children if your first choice is one that wouldn't be a good fit.

Sun 28th Jan: CNY fosters needed!

Funny little mix Julie 

 Two more small dogs were dropped off at our Kennedy Town Centre, and they're arriving on a daily basis now so coming up with names and getting them licensed and to the vet for their health checks is a full time job. The new arrivals are a very small (5kg) terrier boy  who's now Jasper, and a mixed breed girl weighing 10kg, now Julie.  Julie has fresh scars on her back that we were told are the result of someone throwing boiling water at her, a terrible act of cruelty.  I hope we can find Julie an amazing home so her past can be quickly forgotten. 

Tiny Jasper 

We had a new volunteer photographer at the Whiskers N Paws Puppy Party today, so thanks to Kathy Gao for a great result  Puppy Adoption Day 28th Jan 2024.  It's really not easy catching the puppies as they move around and run past. You will notice that the puppies are wearing bandanas, very kindly donated by Scruff Dog Bandanas which helps to identify which puppies are available for adoption. 

Jasmine models https://www.instagram.com/we.are.scruff/

There was one lucky puppy today in Dimple, with high interest in others but not until after the Lunar New Year holiday.  Unfortunately this is what happens at this time of year, so we're in real need of foster homes for puppies - or adult dogs - until potential adopters are ready to take their new family member home. If you can take in a puppy for the holiday period, please fill in the form at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/.

Two little foster dogs who have been waiting for quite some time for their forever home, because we wanted them to stay together as a pair, are poodles Bilbo and Bailey.  Today it was finally their turn and we're so glad we hung on until the right home could be found. 

Sat 27th Jan: Poodle collection

We had another surprise delivery today, one more poodle but this time a senior, now called Toffee. It would be wonderful if he could find a foster home, so please let Cindy know if you can take this sweet old man in by emailing foster@hongkongdogrescue.com.

Woody

We have quite a collection of poodles again now, mostly young, so it's a great time to be looking.

Cosmo

Curtis

Also if you like poodles because of their suitability for allergy sufferers, there are other breeds who have low-shedding coats too, including schnauzers.

Snazzy 

 

Wiggle

Unfortunately the cold weather brings sickness for the puppies as much as it does for us humans, so several of the Kennedy Town residents have runny noses and a cough, meaning they can't go to the Sunday Whiskers N Paws party.  Thankfully those staying in foster homes aren't affected of course, and perhaps it's better given the potential rain that fewer-than-usual puppies will be attending the regular get-together.  Some foster puppies are also still too young to be adopted, at least as singletons, but you can check out all photos and videos on Instagram @why_i_foster (Enzo and Bertie), @pawfect_foster_diary (Dimple), @furryfostertales (Janet and Jasmine), @foster_pawrent_diary (Emma),  @southsidefoster (Wesley and Wendy) and @foster_pawtatoes (Lance and Lollipop). 

Fri 26th Jan: A sweet Pudding

 Another lovely adoption to start the day, that of sweet little sharpei Pudding. She was taken home for the duration of the very cold weather and will now be staying forever.  

Pudding was just one of the many lovely dogs that are staying at our Tai Po Homing Centre for no other reason than they lost their previous homes.  They're not "broken" or aggressive, they don't have behaviour issues or any other problems that caused them to be abandoned, they're simply victims of fate and bad luck.  

Of course puppies are more appealing, as all baby animals are, but we know very well from the requests for training help that Cactus receives (mostly about play biting and chewing) that puppies can be challenging.   By adopting a young adult you get what you see, so you know the size, looks, and everything else about the dog, at least as much as we can ascertain.  For example, recently adopted Tilly slotted perfectly into her new home, and the photos show her looking as though this has always been her home.  

Tilly looking very comfortable in her new home

The two new poodles

With the surprise arrival of two more poodles at our Kennedy Town Homing Centre, we also have many smaller young adults for potential adopters to choose from.  As is often the case, we don't know where the dogs have come from or what their stories are, but again that doesn't mean that they're "broken" or problematic.  Many are very sweet and friendly, and perfectly healthy, even if it's true that others are shy and withdrawn, at least initially. 

Sisters Arlene and Alice 

Sunday is once again Puppy Party day, from 2pm to 4pm at Whiskers N Paws, Horizon Plaza.  I'm really hoping that sisters Arlene and Alice will finally get their chance of a home as they're somewhat older now than the other hopefuls.  On the plus side they're at an age where their baby behaviour days are over,  while they're still young enough to adapt quickly to a new home.  They're both happy and friendly girls, well socialised and very used to being around young children.  Since Whiskers N Paws will be closed over the Chinese New Year holiday, we'll be looking for somewhere for Arlene and Alice to stay, so this could be the perfect opportunity to foster and to see how they fit into your home.  Please complete the fostering form at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/ if this sounds like something you would like to do.

Thurs 25th Jan: An action-packed day

Eccles in his forever home 

 I'm going to start with an adoption,  a small puppy whose name I can now happily remove from the list of Instagram accounts featuring our available foster puppies. I can also add back in one of our regular fosters who is currently looking after little youngsters Lance and Lollipop, and you can see how adorable they are @ foster_pawtatoes.  Lollipop has already been chosen (twice, as it happens), but the other three are just as gorgeous. 

Instagram accounts are @why_i_foster (Enzo and Bertie), @pawfect_foster_diary (Dimple), @furryfostertales (Janet and Jasmine), @foster_pawrent_diary (Emma)  @southsidefoster (Wesley and Wendy). 

These 4 are Dimple and Dudley's litter

Other than finally getting my Lamma dog Treacle over to Acorn for her third and final ear flush, our van driver Ming was back and forth picking up puppies from various locations and bringing them to our Kennedy Town Centre.  To start with there were the final four from the same litter as Dudley (now adopted) and Dimple, followed by another litter from AFCD.

These 3 came from AFCD 

To add to the pre-arranged puppy pick-ups, we had a surprise delivery of two poodles, one of which is very young, no more than a year old.  I'm sure Cosmo will be pretty much an in-and-out guest, and I also want to mention schnauzer Snazzy, a young girl who came to us very recently.  I hadn't wanted to say that she was a schnauzer, even though she looked that way from the photo, but now I can confirm that she really is. 

Schnauzer Snazzy and little Scooby are both young

We have other small dogs coming in all the time, with more expected in the coming days, but please don't forget those that are already waiting.  The newcomers are always popular but they quickly become one of the crowd.

For adoption enquiries please start by completing the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/, and if you can foster a puppy or an adult dog who needs some special care (such as following surgery) please fill in the application at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/.

We received an emergency call from AFCD for a foster home for two newborns found in a landfill.  Yes, you read that right, these two babies were just tossed into a landfill site to die. They're a few days old and will need bottle feeding for a while, but we will provide everything you need to take care of these babies. 

Weds 24th Jan: Only 2 Sundays before CNY!

Not a puppy, but young Shona going home 

 I just realised that we only have two Sundays left before Chinese New Year, and there will be no Puppy Party at Whiskers N Paws during the holiday period (meaning Sunday 11th February).  Obviously our Homing Centres will still be open, just as they are every other day of the year, and maybe the days off will be a perfect time to meet the dogs and puppies, and to bring one (or more) home.

We're certainly going to have plenty for you to choose from, just as we do now, with many of the puppies staying in foster homes.  If you want to arrange a meeting with any of the foster puppies you can do so by emailing Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com.

As a reminder, the Instagram accounts are @why_i_foster (Enzo and Bertie), @pawfect_foster_diary (Dimple), @furryfostertales (Janet and Jasmine), @foster_pawrent_diary (Emma and Eccles)  @southsidefoster (Wesley and Wendy). You can see their photos here  Puppy Adoption Day 21st Jan 2024.  

Not all of the puppies have their own social media pages yet, but that doesn't mean they aren't available, in fact Lollipop is already getting ready for her first interview.

Tues 23rd Jan: An avalanche of puppies coming in

 I can't remember when it was last so cold and I've been digging out the warmest clothes I can find, and wearing them all at the same time!  That's what happens when you live with dogs who want to have the doors open all the time, at least during the day.  

Already adopted 

We had two new ex-breeder arrivals from AFCD today, a tiny poodle and a King Charles Cavalier, but don't come looking for the poodle as she was adopted immediately.   I don't think Marla will be with us for long either, although she looks much older than her four years thanks to bad teeth.  

Dimple and Dudley are easy to spot

We have so many new puppies coming in from various places too, some of which are the littermates of  Dimple and Dudley who were accepted earlier.  (Dudley, of course, was adopted on Sunday).  The other puppies are from AFCD, and we're going to send up with a very full house by the end of the week.  

These little pups are already with us 

February is going to be a busy month, with both Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day having their own promotions.  If you haven't already bought your Red Packets in preparation, don't leave it too late as these always sell out. 

Another W puppy

Mon 22nd Jan: The cold weather arrives

 If you're thinking of adopting or fostering, now is the time to give a dog a home, even temporarily, while the weather is so cold and wet.  I can't help but think of the poor dogs who live in the hills and have no real shelter, and I know many puppies perish at times like this. 

Hugo

It seems incredible to me that golden retriever Hugo, for example, or German shepherd Adelaide (https://www.facebook.com/hkdogrescue/videos/190923609947919), are still waiting for homes, as we would normally expect purebreeds with lovely temperaments to be chosen quite quickly.  Maybe this cold snap will boost their chances of being adopted, and if not them, there are many, many others who would love a warm and dry home. 

If you're considering adoption, please start by completing the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire, and for fostering the form is at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/.  If you have fostered for us before and know how it all works, please just head over to our Tai Po Homing Centre to pick up a dog.

Somehow I think that the four young puppies that arrived today won't have any trouble finding home when they're old enough, and that won't be too far away.  For now they're in foster homes, so while they can be adopted immediately in pairs, or on an adopt one-foster one basis, they will have to wait a while before being available as singletons.

While you're checking out the dogs, whether at Tai Po or Kennedy Town, you can now buy the Chinese New Year Red Packets.  They're also available at The Store House in Des Voeux Road West, all details shown below:

Available Now at HKDR Centres and Online! Get your HKDR CNY Red Packets today!

HKDR@Elgin: G/F, 22 Elgin Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong

Opening Hours: 10a.m. to 6p.m. Monday to Friday

Tai Po Homing Centre: 6 Shek Lin Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong

Opening Hours: 10a.m. to 6p.m. Every Day

Kennedy Town Homing Centre: Shop 4, G/F, Brilliant Court, Sai Hong Lane, 28 Praya Kennedy Town, Hong Kong

Opening Hours: 10a.m. to 6p.m. Every Day

The Store House

9/F Hong Kong Industrial Building, 444-452 Des Voeux Road West, Western District, Hong Kong

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Great news! The HKDR 2024 Dragon Year Red Packets are now available for purchase at our retail stores starting from today (22/1). If you missed the pre-sale, this is your chance to grab these special red packets and join us in celebrating the Lunar New Year while supporting the over 600 HKDR dogs awaiting adoption.

Online:

[https://hongkongdogrescue.com/cny2024/]

If you have placed an order before 12/1 but have not received your red packets yet, please contact us as soon as possible.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Singaporean artist Melissa Tan @paintinks_by_melt for her adorable illustrations and continuous support! These unique red packets not only bring blessings but also spread the message of #AdoptDontShop.

Each set includes 20 red packets and is priced at $100 only!