Fri 28th Feb: Please keep dog licenses up to date

I hope it's clear by now there is no reason to believe that dogs, or any animals, can be or have been infected with the COVID-19 virus, and that the situation regarding the one precautionary case will prove that.  This information is from AFCD if you want to know more about the quarantining and other related information:

"We understand that pet owners are concerned about the recent news that a dog kept by a Covid-19 infected person was tested weak positive for the virus.
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202002/28/P2020022800013.htm

As you may receive enquiries from concerned pet owners regarding Covid-19 you can find some information on our website at the below link:
https://www.pets.gov.hk/english/highlights/files/Quarantine_of_pet_animals_related_to_Covid-19_cases_Eng_updated.pdfhttps://www.pets.gov.hk/tc_chi/highlights/files/Quarantine_of_pet_animals_related_to_Covid-19_cases_Chi_updated.pdf

There is similar information and some photos of the quarantine facilities in AFCD’s Facebook post (www.facebook.com/afcdgovhk) on 14 February (Chinese version only). Members of the public may find the information and photos pinned at the top of the Facebook page at the moment."

This is not the actual dog but a Clumber spaniel

However the knock-on effect is real, especially given that government workers are already on an enforced "go slow", so whenever I ask about the poor Clumber spaniel that's been incarcerated in the Pokfulam AFCD kennels for some time I'm told the paperwork is still in the system somewhere.   The dog was surrendered when the wife became pregnant, but they weren't the registered owners who had since left Hong Kong for Japan. So the process of tracing the licensed owner, who was already known to have left, began and is still ongoing.  Common sense and facts aren't enough to sway anyone, and meanwhile the spaniel is stuck in a kennel for no good reason.

From this photo I think being dumped was the best day of their lives

I keep talking about the importance of keeping dog licenses up to date because of situations like these, and they're really all too common.  The same applied to the Doberman who was found wandering, and it will also apply to the two poodles who are due to come to us first thing on Saturday.  Their owners have left Hong Kong and passed the dogs to their driver on the way to the airport without so much as a backward glance.  Assuming the poodles, a male and female, are microchipped and licensed,  then the process of tracing the registered owner will begin, and knowing that they are no longer in the territory will make no difference.  At least these dogs won't be stuck in AFCD and can go to new homes as soon as I've registered as the official Temporary Keeper.

From the photos I was sent, which I assume are from the previous home, I think being dumped was probably the happiest day of the poodles' lives since the cage will become history.  I loathe dog cages with a passion, as you probably know.

Sunday is Whiskers N Paws day again, and it will be the start of a new month and hoepfully the beginning of a new life for some lucky youngsters.

Remember our Homing Centres are open every single day of the year from 10am to 6pm, both at Tai Po (medium to large-sized dogs), and Ap Lei Chau where the small-to-medium dogs stay.  You're welcome to visit any time but please complete the adoption questionnaire in advance if you're coming to meet the dogs for that reason.  You can find it at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/