Mon 10th Feb: No excuses for not knowing

I went to AFCD today to take out a dog I knew was waiting there, and was hugely saddened to find out that he'd died in the morning from unknown causes.  He'd been there last week when I took Pippi out and he seemed to be fine, and I felt bad because I'd only taken one dog rather than both, choosing Pippi first because she was so thin.  Too late now.

In the meantime another dog, a spaniel, had been surrendered because of a pregnancy (human), and as often happened the person who surrendered him/her wasn't the registered owner so the poor animal has to stay in prison until the official owner can be located.  This happens so often, and it amazes me that there is so much ignorance about the fact that dogs have to be licensed, and the license is valid for three years only.  If you adopt, buy or find a dog the same rules apply, and it's up to you to find out what they are and what you need to do.  "I didn't know" is the same as saying you don't know you need a license to drive a car, and no excuse.  All information can be found on the website www.afcd.gov.hk, or more specifically https://pets.gov.hk/english/index.html so please make sure you know what's required.  A license only costs $80 from any AFCD Animal Management Centre, and that includes a microchip too so cost needn't be a factor.

I also find it hard to accept excuses for giving up a dog for the simple reason of moving, whether to a new home in Hong Kong or abroad, and I wasn't in the best frame of mind to receive a surrender form for two young dogs, sisters, adopted from HKDR only last year and still well under a year old.    There are a few countries that are challenging to take a dog into, but as Hong Kong is a rabies-free zone it's very easy for most, Europe, Canada and North America included.

Renee as a tiger 

To close on a happier note, Iris took this photo of Renee wearing a hat, not for any reason other than both were there.  Renee has been with us for a while because she came to us with a large abscess on her side and it took surgery and a long time for it to heal.  Now she's ready to go to a new home, and as a young and small dog I hope it won't take long.  Due to several factors including Chinese New Year and then the coronavirus scare, we haven't been contacted about new smaller-sized dogs so we have far fewer than usual available.

The real Renee