Fri 30th April: Going round in circles

 

All 3 are young adults, a year old

The surrender requests keep coming in and today it was for three sharpeis that someone seems to be either deliberately breeding or simply allowing nature to take its course, which it certainly will if you don't desex dogs and allow them to mix.   There are probably a lot more than three in the home, or whatever the environment is, but for now it's just these needing help and homes. 

The  four Cheung Chau Campsite dogs also arrived,  and as always with semi-owned dogs that have lived outside we expect that all will have heartworm.  It would be a miracle if they had managed to avoid being infected, and the same probably applies to the sharpeis. 

It's the same problems, over and over again, the lack of desexing probably being the main issue as it results in the birth of so many thousands of unwated puppies.  Our staff members Eva and Yannie attended a meeting at Southern District Council in the morning where the subject of TNR (Trap, Neuter and Return) was once again discussed, and there is a group called AGA which is trying to set up facilities for TNR and in need of support from local District Councils.   It goes without saying that HKDR, and I believe all of the Animal NGOs, would welcome something like this, but despite general public support there's the same inevitable excuses and reasons that seem to have been blocking positive action for many years.  The frustration of having been to endless meetings and for so long with nothing to show for it is why there are private individuals having to do the work that the HKSAR Government should have been doing for years.  

I could say the same about the continuing lack of action regarding the illegal breeders and shocking pet shops that still operate, the pet shops in plain sight even if the breeders hide themselves away from prying eyes. I got an email today about one of those shocking pet shops:

"Today, I walked into this pet shop called NEW-DATE grooming and pet shop on Victory Avenue. The shop had all the cute puppies in glass compartments. We entered the shop to just take a look because we were looking for toys for our dogs. We never buy puppies or dogs from pet shops because we always adopt. 

What I saw inside the shop was appalling. there were three stacks of small cages and nine adult dogs in them. The dogs cannot even move around in the cages. I am sure they were used for breeding but cannot breed anymore and that's why the shop is selling them.

There was a white Pekingese and I asked the shop assistant how old it was and she said 6 to 7 months, which was definitely a lie. The dog must be 6 to 7 years old. There was also an old poodle with severe hair loss and skin disease. I was so shocked and angry and sad. My grandniece cried after coming out from the shop.

I also cried. I have called the SPCA to notify them about this case, and I have emailed the Agriculture and Fisheries Department too. Hope they will revoke the license of that shop and hope the SPCA inspectors can confiscate those poor dogs."

The sad, infuriating thing is that almost certainly nothing will be done.  Please don't support these places in any way, don't buy food, toys or anything from them.  There are many pet supplies stores, like Whiskers N Paws, and you can shop online too. 

We were busy sorting out the new arrivals at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre today, with five going for their vet checks and the remaining five booked for Saturday.  Other than Tickle who has underdeveloped eyes, the other four seemed to be in reasonable health and condition, although younger than we had thought.  The vet at Concordia estimated some of the very little ones as being just six weeks old, so we'll have to ask adopters to take a second pup for fostering for a couple of weeks, unless there's an existing friendly dog in the home.   We already have potential adopters for quite a few of these puppies, so they may not all be available.  If interested please complete the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/ as a first step.