Thurs 14th Jan: Terms and conditions

 We're still getting lots of adoption enquiries but trying to match the two sides isn't often easy.  Many people are looking for small-breed puppies or young adults, or the fancy cross-breeds with silly made-up names, missing the point that as a rescue organisation we don't keep a stock of golden retriever puppies in a back room, or have cavadoodles, labradoodles and so on.  What we have plenty of are dogs and puppies, not with a breed label or anything other than a desire to be loved by their human families and to return that with loyalty and devotion.  (Left Busby and Berry in their foster home)

If you have a very small home then yes, a large dog isn't suitable, and honestly the micro-apartments aren't ideal for any dog unless it gets to go out a lot of the time. However there are plenty of people lucky enough to have the space for more than a tiny dog, and with proper care and training (remembering that we have our own expert and very experienced trainer Cactus offering free support and advice to all HKDR adopters), then a larger-sized dog is no more trouble than a small one. 

While potential adopters often have many expectations in terms of what they want in a dog or puppy (that it be quiet, independent, toilet-trained, good with cats and children and so on) it's our job at HKDR to ask the same of adopters and to speak for the dogs that have no choice in where they go and with whom.  That's why it's so upsetting when things don't work out and the puppy is either returned (the best option), mistreated or abandoned at some time down the line.  We have dogs at our Tai Po Homing Centre that left HKDR as sweet and happy youngsters, coming back as confused and sometimes angry adults.  It's heartbreaking for all of us, and I feel that I have personally let that puppy down.

We don't approve all potential adoptions for a variety of reasons, and sometimes our decision is accepted while on many occasions we're accused of being unreasonable and "forcing" that person to go to a pet shop.  Rather than seeing things from the puppy's point of view, these people are only thinking of themselves and their personal desire to have something on their own terms.  Yes, we know that many people have to work and to be out of the home for long hours, but that doesn't mean that it's OK to leave a puppy or dog alone, and often in a cage, with no companionship or anything to do.  Understandably these dogs often develop neurotic behaviour issues, but even if they don't it's just unfair to expect a naturally social animal to endure the loneliness of an empty home day after day.

(Left Dimple and Digby in their foster home)

Having a dog is a two-way arrangement, with the human side of the deal providing food, water, shelter, exercise and companionship.  With those guaranteed, a dog will return the favour with unconditional love, devotion, loyalty and often amusement thrown in for free.  There's no relationship to match that of a dog and its human companion when you get it right.