"Authorities seized more than 40 cats and dogs on board a speedboat in an anti-smuggling operation in waters off Lantau". I happened to see this today and felt quite sick at the thought that the smuggling is still going on, especially as if chased the animals are thrown into the sea, crammed together into small crates to die with no hope of escape. In fact two such crates were found the other day on a beach and containing dead cats and dogs. I understand these current cases are puppies and kittens being smuggled into Hong Kong from China, and there is definitely a market for these poor animals. The buyers are often those rejected as being unsuitable for adoption for various reasons, but the breeders, pet shops and smugglers have no regard whatsoever for anything except money. If you buy a puppy (or kitten) you are directly supporting the people who are carrying out his despicable trade in innocent lives.
There are good reasons why Animal NGOs turn down applications to adopt because not every home is suitable to keep an animal that by its very nature needs companionship and exercise. It's not enough to come home from a day at work after having left a dog (or even worse a puppy) alone all day, and often in a cage too. Would you do this to a human child and expect that the child would grow up to be a well-balanced, happy and sociable adult? Dogs are pack animals that are never loners, and to expect any dog or puppy to entertain or train itself for eight hours or longer every week day is just unreasonable.
If you're thinking about adopting please be honest with yourself about the time you have to devote to looking after a dog, and if you can't guarantee to be there yourself or to employ someone else to be there, volunteer instead. Almost all of our many volunteers are with us because they love dogs but understand that it would be unfair to have one themselves, so when they have spare time they can enjoy being with as many dogs as they want while at the same time knowing that they're really helping.
Our puppies are being adopted bit by bit, Zumba from foster (left) and Plum from Whiskers N Paws, with Gabby (below) leaving in a day or so from the Homing Centre. We have many other still available, but for those who have enquired about baby Lester (one of four in the litter), he's still too young to be adopted at this moment. Keep checking Eagle's photos for updates on all Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre dogs and puppies, and remember to complete the questionnaire if you're interested in adopting. www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/
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