Weds 29th June: Preparing to leave at short notice

Maltipoo Target is a youngster

The new additions from AFCD Sheung Shui arrived today: five tiny Yorkshire terriers, a small pomeranian, a Maltese/poodle (a Maltipoo I suppose) and what I thought was a Sheltie but what turned out to be a full-sized Rough Collie.   Bruce was a bit of a surprise and is obviously too big to stay at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, and although we have been offered a very short-term foster home this boy needs a place to stay and preferably permanently.  I suspect the Yorkies, and probably the pom Henna too, will be gone before I even get a chance to see them other than their photos.

Bruce is a senior, and a very sweet boy

Pom Henna is also from a breeder

While we struggle to find homes for the bigger dogs and particularly the mixed breeds, there is no shortage of surrender requests from people who want to rid themselves of their pets.  Can I make it clear that we have no space to take in all of these dogs, and nor do any of the other organisations as far as I'm aware.  Whether you adopt or buy you need to know that you can and will take care of that animal until the end of its life, or at the very least exhaust every avenue before expecting already over-burdened charities to relieve you of your problem.

Beautiful Susie was dumped by her expat owner

Also, as I have said before but need to keep saying, if you are an expatriate on a contract then you need to be prepared to ship your dog to another country at short notice.  That means having your dog health checked and vaccinated against rabies more frequently than is required by law or you may like from a health point of view, and keeping up to date with import requirements.  Countries like Australia won't accept dogs that test positive for tick fever and other antibodies, so make sure you know that your dog is free of any diseases that might prevent him or her from being allowed entry. Contact a pet export company in advance and get all of the information you need. so if the worst happens and you have to go back to your home country at least you will be able to take your pets with you.  It's your responsibility to find out what has to be done and not to leave it until the last minute when it's too late.  That delay could very well mean your dog has to die due to a lack of foresight and planning, and with no space at any of the rescue organisations don't expect a bail-out is guaranteed.