Sun 6th Jan: The public must be part of the solution

Mikey's going to live by the beach

Happily the weather was good enough to be outside at Whiskers N Paws so the puppies were able to enjoy the terrace and their games of chase and wrestling, followed by a nap for the younger ones.  As promised Mikey's new parents came to take him home after having chosen him on Saturday at the Concordia Pet Care puppy afternoon, and Mandy's new family had also pre-picked her as the one they wanted. Both puppies are very lucky to have found such lovely new homes, and we can only hope that the many others won't have to wait too long.  You see see photographer Jimmy Tsang's lovely set here Puppy Adoption Day 6 January 2019  if you are thinking of adopting.

Mandy now has two human sisters, a dog brother and a cat as part of her new family

We were also lucky to receive a lovely Twopresents donation from Natasha, shown here holding puppy Bertie, an incredibly sweet boy who's waiting for his own special family.

Thank you Natasha (and Bertie)

While I was at Whiskers N Paws with the puppies I was also waiting for news of the arrival of some dogs and puppies that had been rescued from the most appalling situation, and they turned up just as I was leaving to go back to Lamma.  This rescue operation was a combined effort, initiated by Catherine of Catherine's Puppies who had already taken in previous dogs and puppies from the same terrible place, and Kaz O'Carroll of Animals Asia.  I mention this because we're often asked why the rescue groups don't work together, and the fact is that we often do.  There's ongoing communication and cooperation, even if we are often competing for the same small pool of adopters, and we help each other as we can.

This is the first time these dogs have been free from small cages

In this particular case I was asked if we could take in these poor pugs, and perhaps others unknown at that point, because Catherine had no immediate space and this was a very urgent situation.  Until the dogs were actually in Kaz's car and safe, we really had no idea how many there would be or what they were.  In the end there were six pugs, a poodle and two small-sized puppies, and all will be seen by a vet first thing on Monday.  It's highly likely the puppies at least have tick fever, and the pugs vary in condition from very bad to just about OK.   These dogs and many others have lived their entire lives in small cages in the dark, and I'm sure you don't need me to tell you what effect that must have one their eyes, if nothing else.  This is how and where puppies come from, and I can't say it enough times.  The breeding industry, whether legal or not (and in this case surely illegal), is cruel and money-driven.  It's often triads that run both the breeders and the pet shops, and if you buy your puppy that's what YOU are supporting.

The only poodle, a boy

Who can justify this horror? 

These dogs and puppies, as well as those take by Catherine previously, are safe now but not yet out of the woods in terms of health.   Earlier dogs and pups rescued have been sick, and pregnant mothers gave birth to seriously undernourished pups.   This is not a joke, this is a serious case of abuse, and yet it goes on every day and in many underground locations mostly in the Yuen Long area.  For further photos go to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hkdogrescue/

Cute and small but probably sick with tick fever

How can you help?  Please encourage everyone you know to adopt, not to support the pet shops and breeders.  You may have to wait a while if you want a specific breed and age, but please also consider those dogs and puppies who may not come with a designer label.  At HKDR we will do our very best to match you and your family with the perfect pup, and there are thousands of happy adopters who have found just that.  If you visit our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre any day or come to one of the puppy afternoons, you'll see very happy, loving and well-adjusted puppies who have never been caged or abused.

If you live in the New Territories, and especially in Yuen Long, and you suspect there's a breeder operating secretly, please report it to SPCA, AFCD or let me know so I can follow up.  The general public need to be part of the solution to end this terrible cruelty, even if the process is frustrating.  I know that the fines and punishments are laughable, but we have to keep pushing and pushing to make changes.