Sun 31st Dec: Year end figures for 2023

Still waiting for a home 

 There was a huge turnout of puppies for the last Puppy Party of the year, and although I don't have the photos to share yet I'm looking forward to seeing all of the hopefuls, from tiny to somewhat larger.  There weren't any adoptions during the afternoon, but the two hours of fun is good for the puppies in many ways so it's never time wasted.

Sweet doglets Papaya and Pomelo are still waiting 

There were thirty five adoptions during December, and the year's total of four hundred and fifty five dogs and puppies finding homes.    However, with an intake of four hundred and eighty two, you can see which way the flow is going, and it's not good news.  I don't want to start the year with a pessimistic outlook but the numbers don't lie.  It's a huge problem everyone is facing, and at the end of it all are the innocent dogs and puppies who are always the victims. 

Anyway, for today let's concentrate on the successes and the happy adoptions shown in this lovely video compilation, with thanks to everyone who opened their homes to all of these dogs and puppies:

https://youtu.be/-3H0kpoWMaM?si=rym6SW_CSEto68Ah

The names of the lucky ones during December are:

Tai Po Homing Centre

Kaya (Labrador Retriever)

Reuben (Labrador Retriever)

Kennedy Town Homing Centre

Ella (Multibreed)

Beemer (Multibreed)

Grainger (Poodle)

Rennie (Multibreed puppy)

Jessie (Poodle)

Yaddle (Multibreed doglet)

Pickle (Shiba Inu puppy)

Buster (Poodle cross)

Haku (Shiba Inu puppy)

Cubby (Multibreed)

Poppy (Multibreed)

Chika (Shiba Inu)

Denji (Shiba Inu puppy)

Why is Hugo still waiting? 

Whiskers N Paws

Axel (Multibreed puppy)

Bethany (Multibreed puppy)

Jack (Multibreed puppy)

Johnny (Multibreed puppy)

Bandit (Multibreed puppy)

Jamie (Multibreed puppy)

Foster Homes

Artie (Multibreed puppy)

Porter (Border Collie)

Byron (Labradoodle)

Candy (Multibreed puppy)

Callie (Multibreed puppy)

Coffee (Multibreed puppy)

Frankie (Multibreed puppy)

Pansy (Multibreed)

Rufus (Multibreed puppy)

Reggie (Multibreed puppy)

Freddie (Multibreed puppy)

Tabby (Terrier cross)

Lucy (Poodle)

Nash (Multibreed)

Our Forever Dogs

Giselle (Tai Po)

Andy (Tai Po)

Carmen (Tai Po)

Cleo (Tai Po)

Zizi (Foster)

Grey (Lamma)

Fritter (Lamma)

Rescued Dogs (Total: 39)

From AFCD: 12

From other sources: 27

Total dogs rehomed in 2023: 455

Total dogs rescued in 2023: 482

Sat 30th Dec: There's going to be a big party at Whiskers N Paws!

 Before I write about today's adoptions, it looks like we have a full house for the Whiskers N Paws Puppy Party to end the year.  We've had so many gorgeous and smaller-sized puppies coming in over the past month that it's easy to lose track when they're whisked straight off to their respective foster homes, so let me share some of the photos as reminders of who will be there on Sunday.

Celia and Cola, two tiny sisters 

Celia and Cola are the two siblings of the lucky trio (Coffee, Candy and Callie) that were adopted together, and you'll see that they're still very small even now.

Fergus and Flora

Fergus and Flora are two from the "F" litter, and their siblings Filly and Finn are also still available for adoption.

Heading over from Kennedy Town where they stay full time are brothers Barry and Benjamin, along with Romy.  They always love the Sunday playtimes on the terrace with the two current Whiskers N Paws resident puppies,  Arlene and Alice, as you can see from the photos shared every Monday.  New arrival from AFCD, Kibble, will also be making his first appearance to end the year.

As expected, or at least hoped, we had a lot of interest in the shibas that were posted on our social media pages, and two of them were adopted today, Denji and Chika.  There are still three shibas available, two ex-breeder dogs and one from AFCD (Santa).

 

One other adoption which I guessed I'd be writing about is that of Button, the really super-cute little boy who passed his adoption interview without hesitation. 

See you all next year, and I wish everyone a wonderful 2024! 

Fri 29th Dec: Paws for Good at WNP

Reuben has been adopted! 

 It's always great news when an adult dog is adopted from our Tai Po Homing Centre, even if Reuben is a labrador who I fully expected to be pretty much in and out.  The fact that he had to wait at all just shows that it's a slow period for adoptions, but hopefully things will soon be picking up, and there I know there are more Tai Po dogs who should be packing their bags very soon.

It's a different matter for the shiba inu who came to us recently, and whose photos and details were shared on our Facebook and Instagram pages.  It's clear this breed remains at the top of the most wanted list, along with poodles who are always popular too.  I hope that the five shibas we have waiting for homes will all be gone by this weekend, because there are more waiting at the breeders.  

Also definitely top of the popularity stakes is puppy Button, the cutest little bundle of fluff with a personality to match.  This is one of those cases where you can definitely ask why some people insist on a specific breed name, because this little guy is perfect.  Anyway, he won't be around for much longer as there's a waiting list of adopters wanting to be the lucky ones, and I won't be sharing his photo again until it's with his new family.

Bertie at Kennedy Town 

Button came with a second puppy, just as cute but slightly older at six months.  However Bertie was very scared at the Homing Centre, so he was offered some quiet space and time to decompress in foster care.  When Lyndsay (Instagram @why_i_foster) came to pick Bertie up, she left with Button too, and they joined Enzo and Elfie for the inevitable fun and games.  Bertie has made amazing strides forward in his behaviour, happy to play with the other dogs and the huge pile of toys, although he's still cautious about people.   Once again we're so grateful to have the support of our foster network, giving dogs and puppies a quiet environment and the space they need to let go of their past.  If you would like to become a foster parent, please start by completing the form at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/. 

For the last time this year I can write that our regular Sunday Puppy Party will be taking place at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday, New Year's Eve, from 2pm to 4pm.   Store resident puppies Alice and Arlene are also available to meet any day during opening hours, and I hope they will both be chosen this time round. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you about a fantastic donation programme that WNP have created called Paws for Good.  Basically when you donate $50 monthly you will receive $200 in coupons in return, going up to $600 monthly donation giving back $2400 in vouchers to redeem at the store.  For once I can say that even if it sounds too good to be true, it's totally genuine, and more than that, all of the funds generated by this scheme will be donated to animal charities. Check out the details here: https://www.wnp.com.hk/pages/paws-for-good/.

Any adoptions will not only complete our monthly round-up, but also the year's total for dogs and puppies that have found their forever families.  In the twenty years since HKDR was founded, we have seen many thousands of dogs passing through our doors on the way to a new life, from the very early days of Lamma and Pokfulam, then Tai Po and Ap Lei Chau, and Kennedy Town.  Where will our next stop be I wonder? 

Thurs 28th Dec: Puppies on Instagram

 I made my last visit of the year to the office at 22 Elgin Street, the space which also doubles as our retail store and Red Dog Centre.  It's likely that we'll have to move out before too long as the developers take over yet another chunk of Soho, an area that's changing dramatically like everywhere else.  If you read the Newsletter that was recently sent out, and shared on our Facebook page, you may have noticed that I mentioned the possibility that we could move to a new and pretty amazing space, but everything costs money and we don't have any to spare.  I want to believe that something magical will happen that will make this a reality, but for now it's just a dream.

Lovely German shepherd Adelaide 

The new dogs from AFCD arrived, one very lovely German shepherd girl who's now called Adelaide, a senior poodle, a young pom, and a puppy. 

At the same time two other puppies moved from the Kennedy Town North Street Centre to a foster home, one I'm sure you're familiar with by now.  You can see the photos and update of already-in-foster Elfie and Enzo, as well as Button and Bertie on Instagram @why_i_foster.  Button already has a lot of interest, not surprisingly as he really is exceptionally cute. 

Other foster puppies are Filly on Instagram @ pawfect_foster_diary and Finn @foster_pawtatoes.

While you're on Instagram, remember to check out our @hkdr_official page, and @hkdr_eagle for lots of photos and videos of our Tai Po dogs.

Weds 27th Dec: So many incoming dogs and others needing help

 With Christmas now over, we just have the New Year to celebrate and then we can look forward to everyone getting back from their holidays (although there's Chinese New Year still to come).  While the community in general is obviously happy about having time off from work, and perhaps getting out of Hong Kong for a break, those of us in the dog rescue "business" see things very differently, and we know we can expect fewer adoptions during holiday periods.  

More puppies born to a stray mother 

In fact almost all of the incoming messages today were surrender requests, from the inevitable puppies born to homeless mothers, to Public Housing tenants being told to get rid of their unauthorised dogs.  Another doglet was found wandering and without a microchip to trace any owner, although he was wearing a harness that made him appear at first to only be lost.  Update: the owner was found, so I hope the dog is now going to be properly licensed!

Haku has been adopted 

It also seems that the breeders are clearing out their stock, as we were asked to take a further four shiba inu, three adults and a puppy.  As we're still holding the last intake, as well as the shiba from AFCD, we'll have to wait until they have been adopted before accepting any more.  If you're interested in adopting a shiba inu, please start by completing the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/. 

Santa 

Young pom 

On Thursday there will also be another intake from AFCD, including a German shepherd, senior poodle, a young pom and yet another puppy.  There are always so many dogs needing new homes, and sometimes the pressure to take more and more in becomes too much.  Who are these people who just throw throw their dogs away as if they were nothing? 

Yet another puppy 

This poor poodle is 12 years old 

Nash 

At least there was another Foster Fail today, as little Nash will be staying where he is.  Nash was one of a shy intake from some months ago, and he's obviously wormed his way into his foster parent's heart as so many do. Good for you Nash! 

Tues 26th Dec: Making positive changes

 Today was as quiet as I had expected Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to be, so there wasn't much adoption activity, only potential adopters coming to meet some of the dogs.  Of course the staff and volunteers still need to take care of the cleaning, feeding and walking the same as every other day, which is why we're always open regardless of holidays or bad weather.  

Boomer 

On days like these I try to spend more time with the shy Lamma dogs whose rehabilitation is a work in progress, and that includes the young corgi Boomer, or Bubu as he was previously called.  He's already changed a lot from when he first arrived as an angry and totally untouchable dog, and he enjoys his life very much now.   We work at his pace without pushing him to go beyond what he's comfortable with, but I do feel that he'll be ready for a home at some point soon. 

Previously called Eden, Gimli is part of a family now

The same applies to the dogs at our Homing Centres, particularly at Kennedy Town, where the scared and frightened arrivals are transformed over weeks and months to become adoptable.   We have seen many such successes, like now-Gimli who was completely terrified and shut down when she first came to us, along with others in her group who were similarly untouchable.  Gimli's change has been quite remarkable, and now it's hard to remember her as she was before. 

Bertie is a very scared puppy 

Unfortunately one of the gorgeous new puppies, Bertie, is also very scared, while Button is the opposite and a normal, very happy and sweet little boy. 

Happy Button is too cute for words 

We're asked so many times about the background and history of our dogs and puppies, but unless they're surrendered directly from their previous owners we can never know why or how they came to be homeless, or anything about their early lives.  Sometimes we can guess that the fear is genetic, meaning the mother (and maybe father) were strays, and other times it's a result of bad early treatment, which is often seen in breeds like poodles, and is certainly the reason for Boomer-Bubu's anxiety. 

I need to stress that most of our dogs are perfectly happy and "normal" in behaviour, but for those whose life has been difficult up to the point when they come to us, we will do what we can to turn them around. 

Mon 25th Dec: Business as usual for Christmas

 My Christmas Day didn't pan out as expected, but it was such a beautiful day for being outside with the dogs, and in any case there's always work to do. 

We had new arrivals from AFCD, three smaller dogs and one larger.  The shiba inu is what I would call more typical of the breed than the ex-breeder five, meaning she's not happy with so many other dogs being around and we had to separate her.  For this reason we really need a foster home for Santa, if not an adopter, because it's not easy trying to deal with this kind of situation in a small Homing Centre.

Snowy is a smaller-sized mixed breed, while Snickers is a poodle (with bad skin).  Again we would like foster homes for the dogs, especially Snickers because we need to sort out his allergies and treat the skin.

Angus is 11 months old 

Being larger, Angus was sent to our Tai Po Homing Centre, and he's another doglet who obviously outgrew his puppy cuteness before being thrown out.  

This is the danger of puppy adoption by people who advertise randomly on the various social media pages, and hand puppies to anyone who offers to take one.  Even with the care we take to try to make sure our puppies only go to serious and responsible adopters, there are always going to be some who end up coming back.  

Freddie and Frankie have been adopted 

There were some adoptions that took place today, with gorgeous puppy Freddie moving from his foster to his forever home, and tiny Tabby becoming a "Failed Foster".  

Tiny Tabby 

Poodle Lucy was also adopted from her foster home, while puppies Barry and Benjamin were returned to our Kennedy Town Homing Centre, much to the delight of Romy who had once again become a singleton after Bandit's adoption on Sunday. 

Lucy was found as a stray 

Romy, with Barry and Benjamin

I noticed that Romy and new Jack Russel boy Diesel share the same colouring and freckled nose, and they're both lovely too. 

If you're interested in adopting please complete the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/, and for fostering the form is at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/.

Jack Russell Diesel 

Sun 24th Dec: A wonderful Christmas Eve

 Before I share all of the good news for today, I want to start by wishing a very Happy Christmas to all my readers.  I do receive quite a few nice comments about my posts and how people enjoy them, and that's very reassuring.  It's always good to know my words are reaching, and perhaps influencing, at least some.

Johnny was first time lucky 

Bandit and his new family 

I wasn't expecting that there would be many, if any, adoptions today, so I'm delighted to say that I was wrong and it was a great day for the puppies. 

Yep, Rufus is accepted! 

Three found their forever families at Whiskers N Paws, while Reggie's trial adopter let us know that he wouldn't be bringing Reggie to the Puppy Party because he would be adopting.  I can't remember if I had already mentioned that another puppy on trial adoption (to see if the resident dog would accept him) also had his adoption confirmed, and that was Rufus.  

I guessed Jamie would be chosen 

Button is around 4 months 

With the adoption today of Bandit, poor Romy is back to being alone again and she must be missing her playmates.  We took in two absolutely gorgeous puppies today who will be able to join Romy soon, but first we have to keep them separately so we can be sure they're healthy.  They're not babies so I feel pretty confident that they won't be infected with any puppy diseases, but we need to be sure.  

Bertie is around 6 months old 

Barry and Benjamin will come back

We will also most likely be bringing back the last of the Bucket Pups from their foster home to Kennedy Town, because they live too far away to be able to make the Whiskers N Paws afternoons.  

Haku was in and out

One of the just-arrived ex-breeder shibas was also adopted today, and I know Haku is going to be overjoyed at his new life away from his previous horrible situation. 

We don't have the photos from today's Whiskers N Paws Puppy Party yet as our coordinator, Elena, is on holiday so there's a time delay.  I'm looking forward to seeing Jimmy Tsang's albim because I know there will be so many great shots of the puppies, both the lucky ones and those still waiting.

We will be open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, and every other day of the year, so if you want to adopt any of our dogs and puppies please start by completing the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/. 

Most of all I want some of the Tai Po dogs and doglets to find their forever homes, perhaps especially the older puppies who are still young enough to have their full life ahead of them.  Please remember them when you are looking for a new family member. 

Sat 23rd Dec: Merry Christmas Sharlene!

The five shiba inu from the breeder did indeed arrive today, and to add to our shiba collection we have another one coming from AFCD over Christmas, plus we still have Kira at our Kennedy Town Homing Centre.  

Of the new arrivals, Denji and Anki are puppies, Ino and Haku are also still only ten months old, with Chika the oldest at three years or under.  Unlike previous ex-breeder dogs and puppies, these five seem to be perfectly healthy.  However I need to add that all ex-breeder dogs come to us without any toilet training, as they have been kept in cages and not treated as pets in any way.  

This breed remains incredibly popular in Hong Kong, and I imagine it's because of the way they look because they can be demanding as family pets.  I know this to be true due to the number of surrender requests we get for shibas, and the fact that there are still two staying on Lamma (Gumbo and Damson), and one at our Tai Po Homing Centre (Goji).  However I will add that the ex-breeder shibas tend to be good natured, and I think this is because the breeders wouldn't be able to handle the difficult ones. 

As always, if you're interested in adopting a shiba, or any of our other dogs, please start by completing the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/.

Jamie 

On Sunday we will be holding our regular Puppy Party as usual, and I imagine the store will be pretty busy with last-minute Christmas shoppers, and others visiting just to soak up the festive atmosphere.  Whiskers N Paws always create a special Christmas scene with all sorts of fantastic decorations, and if you're one of those who will be dropping by for whatever reason, if you ask the floor staff to pick some treats for our HKDR dogs and puppies they'll be happy to do so, and there will be a discount for all gift purchases for us as well as free delivery to the Homing Centres. 

There will be four young puppies making their debut on Sunday, the "J" litter of Jamie, Johnny, Janet and Jasmine.  In a mixed breed litter there can be a huge difference in looks, thanks to the many genes that are passed down from mixed breed parents who themselves are made up of who-knows-what.  Added to that is the fact that there can be more than one father, something that I assume happens a lot with stray mothers who are free to mate with any passing male during their fertile period.  In the "J" litter, it's Jamie who has struck lucky in the cuteness department, or maybe it's just my own perception of what's attractive in a dog.  Either way, underneath the cream/brown/black exterior they are all equal, and all just as lovely and deserving of a home.  I have such a variation of "styles" living with me, and after a while you forget what they look like and just know them for their different personalities.  

Sharlene still has a funny face 

I wanted to mention one of our special cases this year, just to tie up the story with a lovely and very happy ending.  You may remember Sharlene, the sharpei type who came to us with a serious jaw problem, one that resulted in her not being able to open her mouth, eat or chew properly.  Without surgery she would have died for sure, and thanks to the generosity of our supporters Sharlene had the necessary surgery carried out by a specialist from South Africa.  Subsequently Sharlene was adopted by the person we call the Sharpei Angel, and it seemed that was the end of her story.  However, while Sharlene was happy and sweet-natured, the other dogs in the home didn't accept her as one of the family, and she needed a new home where she could be safe from being bullied.  It was going to be a challenge, as Sharlene still had a funny face and could hardly be described as a pretty dog, but as luck would have it some neighbours had recently lost their own dog and agreed to take Sharlene in on a foster basis.  You may have guessed the ending by now because I said it was happy, and yes, the fostering has become an adoption.  Sharlene is an only dog now, and is loving her new life and family. Merry Christmas Sharlene, and here's wishing you and your new forever family a very happy New Year!

Merry Christmas Sharlene! 

Fri 22nd Dec: Big dogs on the waiting list

 I should start by mentioning that the breeder shibas didn't turn up as expected, so maybe they will come on Saturday, who knows.  We don't have direct contact with any of the breeders, and all arrangements are made through a third party. 

Rya has erlichia 

Of the three adult mixed breeds that we took from AFCD and who went to our Tai Po Homing Centre, one of them had been kept (by AFCD) as a "service dog", meaning she had been held to be used to test other dogs for off-leash permits.  This means that a dog weighing over 20 kilos who has shown that it is safe and well-behaved with other dogs is exempt from the standard regulations regarding larger dogs.    Rya is medium sized and eight years old, and tested positive for erlichia (a type of tick fever) during her health check at Acorn.  I should be shocked that AFCD had kept a dog in this condition without even checking, but nothing surprises me these days. 

Betty is in season (on heat) 

Another of the dogs, now Betty, is in season, meaning we can't have her desexed yet., and only one of the three (Raven), all female, is suitable for spaying immediately. 

Raven 

There are still several other large sized dogs that we have been asked to take, but we don't want to have to keep them at the Homing Centre for one reason or another.   One is an add-on from AFCD, an older German shepherd girl who was a last-minute request after we had already agreed to accept others.

The German shepherd is 7 years old 

2 year-old Malinois boy

There are three Malinois on the waiting list, two older ones from AFCD and the other a young boy who is currently still in his home (I assume), but who needs to move out.  He seems like a very nice dog, but this breed really can't be kept in a (small) apartment and needs a lot of exercise and mental stimulation.  I wish the breeders would stop pushing these dogs onto the market, and that unsuitable homes would stop buying them.  At least the older females at AFCD have calmed down with age, and the poor dogs have been in kennels for many moths now.  

The last of the big dogs-in-waiting is the young Doberman boy.  Apparently he has been living a sad and isolated life, so he's not socialised with other dogs. 

If anyone can offer a suitable home to any of the above, please let us know by completing the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/. 

Pansy is now Mocha (and look at her smile!) 

There was a surprise adoption today, a foster fail for little Pansy.  It was a surprise because the foster parent had taken care of many of our dogs before without "failing", but somehow Pansy managed to wriggle her way into the hearts of all family members and that was that, her adoption was confirmed. 

Two of our latest puppies moved foster homes, so Elfie and Enzo are now starring in the Instagram @why_i_foster posts.  With so many followers I suspect their stay will be a short one, and they're really very cute too. 

Barry and Benjamin

The last two boys from the Bucket Baby litter are Barry and Benjamin, and like Bandit who just came back to Kennedy Town, they're now at the perfect age for adoption.   They're still in their foster home so if you would like to meet them please complete the adoption questionnaire as a first step.   You can see lot of photos and video on our HKDR Facebook page. but here's a summary from the boys' foster parent:

Barry (3 months old, cream, mongrel) and Benjamin (3 months old, tan, mongrel) are always two happy and funny boys. After receiving their latest updates from foster, we can't wait to tell you that they are so smart and well-behaved too!

They know-how:

Use pee pads

Pee and Poop outside

Recall using their names, whistle etc

Sit and Off command

Learning wait command

Training to be on their own, completed the 3 hours mark

Familiar with being touched, carried, wet wiped entirely...