Thurs 27th June: Frequently asked questions answered

We especially need weekday volunteers if you're available

There are the same questions that are asked all the time, so in an attempt to answer the most frequent ones here's some general information:

- Are we open on Sundays/Public Holidays?  Yes we open every single day of the year, no exceptions, not even for Typhoon 10 conditions.  The dogs have to be fed and taken care of regardless of anything else.

- Do I need to make an appointment?  No, but it's helpful to us to have the Adoption Questionnaire completed in advance https://hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/, and to have a general idea of when to expect a visit to meet the dogs.  If we know that we can decide which dogs to show that would be most suitable.  If appropriate we can also say that we don't think the home is ready for any dog, and save everyone the wasted time and trouble.

- Do we need volunteers?  Yes, we really do need volunteers, but you have to be over 18 years and be realistic about what is required.  If you come to walk the dogs wearing flip flops with bare legs you will soon find out that it isn't such a good idea.   It's honestly not that helpful to us if volunteers complain about getting their legs scratched by enthusiastic puppy claws or toes nibbled by sharp baby teeth.  We are also mostly in need of weekday volunteers, so if you are able to come on any day other than a weekend your application will be fast-tracked so you can start as soon as possible.  Otherwise for weekend volunteers there's a wait for a place in the orientation classes.

- I applied for an Orientation Class but haven't had a reply!  Our Volunteer Coordinators are themselves volunteers, as are those who lead the Orientation sessions, so unless you can help during the week there will be a delay in fitting you in to a suitable training session.  These are necessary so that the rules and safety procedures can be clearly explained.  Please be patient and wait for an email confirming your application.

- I've been bitten/scratched by a dog, so do I need a rabies vaccination?  Short answer, no.  There hasn't been a case of rabies in Hong Kong for about forty years, and it's impossible that any of the dogs or puppies that are with HKDR have the disease.  In fact, if there was ever a case of rabies in Hong Kong anywhere, and this is most likely to happen close to the border with Mainland China, it would be headline news.  All HKDR dogs over the age of five months will have been vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination is 100% effective.

The van was busy today moving stock to the HK Convention & Exhibition Centre (HCCEC) for this weekend's Pet Expo, and as you must be aware there have been daily protests taking place in the Wanchai area so there was a long delay in unloading.  If you are visiting the Pet Expo please take the MTR and don't try to drive there, but do come along to see us and all of the great products and bargains that ae available.   We need extra volunteers to pack up and move any remaining stock and display units out again on Tuesday.  📣📣 Help! Logistics volunteers needed on Tuesday 2nd July 10am! We are urgently recruiting:

1. A volunteer van driver who can come with an empty van to help transport fundraising materials from Wan Chai HKCEC to our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre on 2nd July (Tue) 10am.

2. A strong volunteer who can help with loading and unloading the materials at HKCEC and Ap Lei Chau.

Please email Eva at eva@hongkongdogrescue.com if you can help! Thank you!

The Liquid Gold ready to be administered

It's a very diffiicult time at the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre at the moment, with many puppies to take care of and staff member Andrea on leave, so if you are a volunteer and can drop by to lend a hand, please come when you can.  Tick fever puppies need two sets of medicine three times a day, and we have poodle Gavin who needs eye drops every hour, so by the time everything is done it's time to start all over again.

We would love this couple to stay together if possible

We took in a pair of chihuahuas today, and they will be going to Acorn for check-up and vaccinations on Friday.  We would appreciate a foster home for any of our dogs or puppies, but a forever home would be even better.  For foster enquiries please email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com, and for adoption please complete the questionnaire at https://hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/