Tues 28th Feb: Can you help?

Walter at WNP on Sunday

 Two lucky foster puppies were taken off the available list today, one (Lacey) a Foster Fail, meaning staying in her current home for ever, and the other being Walter.  He moved directly from his temporary accommodation to his new family so we don't have adoption photos of either puppy, but please take a look again at the album from Sunday's Whiskers N Paws Puppy Party to see all of the other puppies that are still available  Puppy Adoption Day 26th Feb 2023.  

The "L" (in foster homes) and the "M" (at Kennedy Town) litters are all smaller sized, growing to be medium as adults. Please also remember the two gorgeous pups in foster whose daily antics are shared on Instagram @why_i_foster.  All foster puppies enjoy a real home life while waiting to move on to their forever families, so the transition is very easy. 

"M" puppy Mason 

"L"  puppy Lewis at WNP on Sunday

If you would like to help any of our puppies with their early life and training in this way, please just complete the foster questionnaire so we can match you with the age/size that you prefer.  All of the puppies staying at our HKDR@Elgin location are in need of foster homes, but please bear in mind that we will ask that they be taken to Whiskers N Paws on Sundays, so if you live in the far reaches of the New Territories it might be challenging. 

Adoption Questionnaire :

https://form.jotform.me/61094426695463

Foster Questionnaire :

https://form.jotform.me/61114648399463

If you have met or seen any of the puppies that you're interested in adopting, please start by completing the adoption questionnaire here.  The same applies to any size or age of dog. 

We do have a need for a special foster home for a puppy I was asked to help.  This one has a broken leg which had already been treated, but unsuccessfully, so another surgery by an experienced vet will be necessary.  Luckily Dr Tony at Acorn has availability on Thursday, after which this gorgeous pup will need somewhere safe to recover in (and be available for adoption).  Please email Cindy at foster.hkdr@gmail.com if you can help, again bearing in mind that the puppy will have to have check-ups at Acorn in Sai Ying Pun. 

The puppy was rejected by other organisations due to the high cost of such surgery, and HKDR will also need support from donors to cover the expense.   If you can sponsor or donate, please visit our website for donation details at https://hongkongdogrescue.com/donate/one-off-donations/

It's only thanks to donations that we're able to take in dogs and puppies that need somewhere to stay, or have the necessary veterinary treatment as required.  This has been even more important over the past few years, so nobody is more delighted to see the end of all the restrictions than we are. 

Mon 27th Feb: Introducing the small adults

Fuzzy Archer

 I don't have any new news to write about today, so I'll just post a reminder that we are still urgently in need of puppy foster homes for the young ones staying at our HKDR@Elgin location.  Hopefully some of these foster situations will become permanent, but it's not a must of course, and we're just looking for a home situation where the puppies can learn and grow.  I'm still waiting for the individual photos to be uploaded so it's difficult to detail all of those available, but there are so many that are super-beautiful and very sweet natured.  

If you are available to help with the inevitable cleaning that comes from having a lot of puppies in one place, as well as playing and cuddling of course, please sign up using this link 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PGDgc3Hh0oQt7Cg5TmOSOZQVGHIw8xJHOMvTgzeH-3U/htmlview#gid=714428566

We do just ask that if you have signed up for the morning shift in particular, that you come on time.  It's a dirty and messy job for sure, but that's why we need the help.

For fostering or adoption of any dogs or puppies from any of the centres, or foster homes, please start by completing the questionnaires at 

Adoption Questionnaire :

https://form.jotform.me/61094426695463

Foster Questionnaire :

https://form.jotform.me/61114648399463

Dilly

For the small-medium adult dogs at our Elgin Street Centre, here are some details.

Dilly is a puggle, meaning a pug crossed with another small breed (not sure what). She's 3 years old and a total sweetheart, happy and playful. She gets on well with other dogs and people too.

Tawny

Tawny is a slowed-down version of Dilly, meaning she's just as sweet and easy, but being a heavier build she's less athletic. Her "breed" is a little-big dog, meaning a bigger body but with short legs. She's also a young adult, and great with people and other dogs.

Teddy 

Teddy is a young Wheaten terrier-cross, with a coat that would be suitable for allergy sufferers. He's active and lively, and he'd love a home where he could enjoy outings and adventures. He's not as tolerant as Tawny and Dilly, so he'd be better in a home without children.

Nacho

Nacho is older at 9 years but you'd never know it. He's smart, funny, curious about everything, and he loves tennis balls. He'd be a fantastic go-anywhere companion as he loves company and being in the thick of whatever's happening.

Nettie 

Nettie is younger than Nacho, but as an ex-breeder dog her health and condition is not as good. She's the sweetest poodle girl though, who would be happy with a home where she could just lounge around and be given lots of love and attention.

Our Kennedy Town Homing Centres are also full to the brim with lovely puppies, some of them quite small and others larger, but all lovely and really ready for a loving forever home. Please just complete the questionnaire if you can foster, or if you're looking to adopt, and we can suggest the most suitable for your needs.

Sun 26th Feb: Lovely Laura

Pretty little Laura

I suspected it might be Laura's big day today, and sure enough she left the Whiskers N Paws Puppy Party to start her new family life, as recorded by Benjamin Po, our volunteer photographer for the event:  Puppy Adoption Day 26th Feb 2023.  You can see from the photo that Laura is not only very pretty, but like many of our current puppies she's also quite small.  As a fully grown adult she won't be larger than medium size, and while we can't give a watertight guarantee I'm confident this is true.

I get many adoption enquiries for small-medium puppies, but with only named breeds considered.  It's extremely sad that even the loveliest and sweetest of puppies are rejected because they don't come with a specific name tag, especially when you consider the cruelty of the breeding business and pet trade in general.   There's definitely been a change in attitude over the years, but it's still far too slow for my liking. 

Poodle Nacho is the Elgin Street manager

Many of the puppies currently staying at our HKDR@Elgin location are medium sized, and while we're still waiting for a full set of photos you can always visit them in person.  In fact, if you want to get to know them properly before making a decision, why not sign up to volunteer for a few hours?  Use this link to add your name to the volunteer schedule: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PGDgc3Hh0oQt7Cg5TmOSOZQVGHIw8xJHOMvTgzeH-3U/htmlview#gid=714428566

Sat 25th Feb: Another "F" puppy chosen

Lucky Ford in the middle

 I had really hoped that with the adoption of "F" puppy Frankie breaking the ice, so to speak, his other beautiful brothers would follow his lead.  Today that happened when Ford was chosen to join a lovely family, and with another ex-HKDR dog to show him how things work I'm sure he'll quickly settle in.  The rest of the "F" puppies are staying at our North Street, Kennedy Town Centre if you want to meet them, or just go to Whiskers N Paws on Sunday, 2pm to 4pm, to enjoy the party on the terrace.

The beautiful "F" boys at Kennedy Town

Watching new puppies arrive as scared little things and following their gradual opening up over the months (in the case of the "F" boys), is really so rewarding.  I know that the volunteers at our Elgin Street Centre, where the pups started off, are all so happy to see the successful results of their work with early socialisation, and then the continuation of that at Kennedy Town where staff and volunteers got the pups out walking and growing as individuals. 

Amos at Elgin

April at Elgin

Now there's a whole new group of puppies at Elgin Street, many of whom are already super-friendly, while others are slightly more withdrawn.  They're not as scared as the "F" litter were at the beginning, so I'm not worried that they'll stay as shy as they are now.   However we need to find them homes, and today we had a visit from the ALCVC vet and nurses so all of the puppies could be vaccinated in situ, meaning not having to be sent in groups to the clinic in Ap Lei Chau.  There are so many of them, and they're really so lovely in every way.  Soon we'll have to start sending them to Whiskers N Paws, but if you're looking for a puppy and Soho is convenient for you, please come and meet these gorgeous youngsters.  Most of them will be medium sized as adults, not large, and some like Amos and Astrid may well stay small-medium. 

Before coming to meet any of our dogs or puppies, please start by completing the adoption questionnaire, and wait for our reply.  

Adoption Questionnaire 領養問卷:

https://form.jotform.me/61094426695463

Foster Questionnaire 暫養問卷:

https://form.jotform.me/61114648399463

Fri 24th Feb: For something a bit different

 For something a little bit different today, although still about HKDR of course, I want to let you into Hong Kong's best kept secret if you like lovely clothes but not the high price tags.   

Shop 'til you drop, and all for the dogs

Hidden away in Chai Wan there's an appointment-only Aladdin's Cave of all the top designer clothes and accessories, and from 1st to 11th March ALL proceeds from sales will be donated to HKDR! (10th and 11th March no appointment will be needed). Even if you make this a once-only special trip to stock up on classics that will last for many seasons, you can do it knowing that you're donating directly to help our dogs and puppies. 

Silver Loft in Chai Wan

Not deliberately hidden away, but still in a small alleyway (Sai Hong Lane) off the main Praya Kennedy Town, our Kennedy Town Homing Centre is bursting with puppies who are all waiting to be chosen by their forever families.  Five minutes walk from that centre at Brilliant Court is the other HKDR centre, 13-19 North Street, and that too is full of puppies needing homes.

Over at 22 Elgin Street, Soho, we have the small-sized adults, plus many more puppies, mostly smaller to medium (predicted adult size).  

Our main Homing Centre is at 6 Shek Lin Road, Tai Po, and this is where hundreds of medium to large adult dogs stay, with ages ranging from older puppy to senior.  

All Centres are open seven days a week from 10am to 6pm, with an additional bonus of the weekly Puppy Party at Whiskers N Paws, 10/F Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau, every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm. 

Thurs 23rd Feb: Hooray for Helen

Helen (r) was adopted today

 Still at HKDR@Elgin, there was a very special adoption today as just-ex staff member, Cam, adopted shy dog Helen.  Like all shy dogs, Helen just needs to know you to feel comfortable so it's not an instant attraction, which is what most potential adopters are looking for.  As with Hope, another timid girl recently adopted by a volunteer, it's usually the case that these types of dogs will bond with someone they see on a regular basis, so that means staff or volunteers.  Helen has got to know and trust Cam, so this is really a perfect situation for her.  Incidentally, Cam's other dog is also an ex-HKDR girl, adopted from our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre when we were still based there.

With Hope and Helen now adopted, we only have Hetty left from that very shy group that came together as part of the "H" intake.  Ideally Hetty can find a home with a garden, as she really doesn't like going out for walks, especially on streets where there's traffic and a lot of people.  She would be quite happy having her own space and never having to face the outside world, and as much as I'm always talking about the need for adequate exercise and socialisation, Hetty is the result of not having had this option during her formative months as a puppy.  You can't force a very shy dog to face their fears and think that it will help, you can only build confidence very slowly and over time.

The importance of companionship and play is never more clearly seen than in a group of puppies, related or not, who will always sleep in a tight bundle after they've finished their games.  This is natural behaviour, and about as far as you can get from the awful situations that so many very young puppies have to endure.  By that I mean being a single puppy, left alone for very long hours and often in a cage too.  I find it quite incomprehensible that so many people think that this is perfectly normal and acceptable, especially when we see the damage that this type of isolation results in.   The puppies at our Kennedy Town Homing Centres, and at HKDR@Elgin, are lucky in that they can enjoy having so many playmates, even though there comes a time when they're ready to strike out on their own. 

"F" puppy Felix

I have to mention a litter of puppies who came to us as very beautiful but shy youngsters, and every potential adopter who came to meet them could see how scared they were.  Fast forward a few months and with the help of the staff, volunteers and each other, the "F" Litter have transformed into still-beautiful but also now happy and friendly doglets.   Frankie has been adopted and is getting ready to fly to Singapore, but as the paperwork and blood tests take a few weeks to process, our staff member Margaret is fostering Frankie until he can leave.  Since Margaret works in the office, now located at Elgin Street, Frankie can come to work with her and has a special area set up with funny poodle Nacho.   

Nacho is such a character

Nacho is a real character, a very happy, curious and entertaining boy who is more than ready for a home of his own.  

Young puggle Dilly

Dilly is also a very sweet young dog, and looking at her today I realised that she's a puggle, a much sought-after mix of pug and something, one of those designer brands. Who couldn't love this face and affectionate character? 

For adoptions and foster enquiries, please complete the relevant questionnaires:

Adoption Questionnaire :

https://form.jotform.me/61094426695463

Foster Questionnaire 

https://form.jotform.me/61114648399463

Weds 22nd Feb: Young Abby and senior Amber

 I'm feeling incredibly frustrated by the ongoing issues our website and emails, especially as I thought this was all in the past.  I don't understand anything about this technical stuff, so all I can do is quietly pull my hair out and hope everything can soon be permanently fixed.  In the meantime you can use these links for the adoption and fostering questionnaires, and for anything else you can email me at sallyandersen.hkdr@gmail.com:

Adoption Questionnaire :

https://form.jotform.me/61094426695463

Foster Questionnaire 

https://form.jotform.me/61114648399463

Abby at the vet today having a vaccination

There is some good news to counteract the annoying, and that's the first adoption of the large group of puppies that came to our HKDR@Elgin Centre two weeks ago.  Abby was taken home for fostering shortly after the pups' arrival, and now she will be staying.  Abby is a bit older than the others in the group, and with the sweetest personality, so I guessed she wouldn't be coming back. 

Amber made the flight to the UK at 13 years

I also had news of a dog that was adopted thirteen years ago as an older puppy, as she recently moved to the UK with her family (and dog-sister).  The reason I remember her so well is because as a just-adopted doglet she got lost in the hills around Sai Kung/Clearwater Bay, and I spent a few days searching for her until she was finally caught in the trap that had been placed in the area.  It's worth mentioning that Amber made the long flight to England without any problem at thirteen years of age, so please don't tell me that a dog is too old to fly when you want to leave him or her behind.

The rest of this week is going to be a busy one, with the delivery of some great new stock for the HKDR@Elgin shop, and a lovely adoption also planned to take place at the same location.  More of all that tomorrow.

We have a ton of puppies waiting for homes, sized from small-medium to large.  If you can't make it to the Kennedy Town or Elgin Street Centres during the week, you can always visit Whiskers N Paws in Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau, any Sunday between 2pm and 4pm for the regular Puppy Party. 

Tues 21st Feb: Back to Gmail again

 I don't know what has happened to our emails again, but it seems that many messages are once more being lost in cyberspace, never to be received.  We do have back-up Gmail addresses, and perhaps one that's most important at the moment is Cindy's foster email, foster.hkdr@gmail.com (instead of foster@hongkongdogrescue.com).  We really do need foster homes for the many puppies, especially the beautiful youngsters staying at our HKDR@Elgin Centre, so please do let Cindy know if you can take one, or even better a pair.  We will provide all food and equipment, including fences and toys, so all you need to offer is space in your home and the time to take care of the puppies.

For other enquiries you can always divert through me, using sallyandersen.hkdr@gmail.com, and I'll forward to the appropriate person or centre.  It's really incredibly frustrating, and especially coming at a time when we really need to be able to receive and send emails.

I was at HKDR@Elgin again today for two special reasons, the first being that I wanted to meet our new part-time staff member Richard Chan. Richard has some very interesting and useful experience in animal training, as well as having two tong gau himself, so I know he will be great with the dogs and puppies at the Centre, as well as being able to give helpful on-site advice to new or potential adopters.  Our long-term trainer, Cactus, is still with us of course, and she is always available to anyone who adopts from HKDR and needs professional and up-to-date support.

I also wanted to reinvent the shop side of the Centre, the front of house, and the first thing to greet all visitors.  We've had quite a few big donations of products from pet shops that have closed, but much of it seasonal like dog coats and so on, and a lot of fancy items that aren't essential.  We'll be taking in another top quality line of dog "stuff" on Thursday and we need to make space for it, so I pulled out as much as I could of the older stock and marked it down to $10, so if you like a bargain make your way over to 22 Elgin Street to stock up.

On the general dog side, it seems the only emails that are coming through successfully are the surrender requests, all of which are upsetting and many of which we just can't help with.  I do need to suggest to anyone who wants to give up their large mixed breed dogs to make a visit to our Tai Po Homing Centre to see the number of dogs we already have waiting for homes, and to see where they think their dogs can fit in.  This is no sunny paradise for dogs as much as we try to make their lives as happy as possible, and we can't take in sick or aggressive dogs to add to the already huge burden.  Adoption is for life, even with the challenges that may arise from time to time, so if you can't make that sort of commitment please just foster instead.

Mon 20th Feb: Strange days indeed

A bad photo of a beautiful puppy (Amos)

 I would say these are strange days, but then thinking back over the years there have been many strange and challenging periods which have been overcome.  I hope very soon I'll be looking back and thinking the same about this particular situation, which is the overload of puppies at our Elgin Street Centre and the subsequent constant need for volunteers, not to mention a new staff member.   

If you're able to volunteer, even just for a few hours, you don't need to wait for an orientation slot you can start immediately.  You just have to be over eighteen, and obviously a dog lover and willing to help with the less glamourous side of things like cleaning up after the puppies.  Just sign up here: https://docs.google.com/.../1PGDgc3Hh0oQt7Cg5TmOS.../edit..

Fuzzy Archer

I was at HKDR@Elgin  today and wondering why these particularly gorgeous youngsters hadn't been snapped up, and if they should perhaps go to Whiskers N Paws on Sunday so they could be more widely seen.   It would also be a great help if we could get the puppies into foster homes, so if you can take in one or two for a while please email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com.

April, so fuzzy and sweet

Anyway here are some quick phone snaps of some of the puppies, and a short video of Ali, with sidekick Amos, both of whom will grow into  beautiful adults who will make perfect family members and companions. 

Office manager Nacho

It was also fairly chaotic at HKDR@Elgin today as the office furniture and equipment was moved over from North Street in Kennedy Town, and is currently just sitting in a pile waiting to be installed or sorted out.  Lively poodle boy Nacho is the office manager now, because he loves being the centre of attention and prefers not to be bothered by the other dogs.  You would never guess that he's nine years old, but poodles tend to live for a long time and are by nature very active dogs given the chance. 

While still on the subject of the Elgin Street dogs, poodle-ish Nettie went for a shampoo and blow dry at a nearby groomers (kindly sponsored), while the latest arrival Dilly had her vet check and licensing. Dilly is a very sweet little dog, and well worth meeting if you're considering adoption.  Nettie is also very sweet, but as an ex-breeder dog her health and condition are not as good as Nacho's, even though she's a few years younger.

Nettie

For all adoptions please start by completing the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Sun 19th Feb: A successful Puppy Party at WNP

Peekaboo Lola!

 For a lovely change we had three adoptions at Whiskers N Paws today, with two of them being almost identical small-sized siblings Lola and Leo. 

Tiny Leo

For those who are interested, there are others in the "L" intake still available, Luke, Lewis, Lennox, Laura, Lizzie and Lacey.  Please contact Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com if you would like to meet them in their foster homes. 

Pretty Laura

A perfectly synchronised pair of M puppies

Also small-sized now, the "M" litter will be only medium as fully grown adults. 

The third adoption (of Wanda) was finalised after everyone had left, so it was our volunteer Catherine who took the photo. 

Eric Tang was our volunteer photographer for the Puppy Party today, and there are so many lovely youngsters to choose from  Puppy Adoption Day 19th Feb 2023.  Eric's photos are always amazing, and you would never guess how hard it is to capture puppies so perfectly. 

Overall it was an exceptionally crazy day today other than at Whiskers N Paws, and I won't even begin to get started on the dramas that took place.  All I can say again is that life is never boring at HKDR, even if at times I rather wish it was. 

Sat 18th Feb: Puppy fosters still URGENTLY needed

 Yes, puppy fosters are still urgently needed for the youngsters staying at our Elgin Street Centre in Soho, 22 Elgin Street to be precise.  You may recall that we had a surprise (and by that I mean totally unexpected) delivery of twenty puppies not long ago, and while a few were taken for fostering (with a couple hopefully not coming back), we're still overloaded.  The situation was manageable thanks to manager Cam and the fantastic volunteers, but with Cam leaving and no replacement found yet, it's put my mind into overdrive about what to do about the puppies.  The adult dogs are easy and they should be going to new homes before too long, but if you can help by taking in a pair of puppies, or one if it's one of the slightly older ones, please email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com.  The puppies are beautiful, with a litter of fuzzy-faces included, and if I had any say in the matter I would be taking a few home myself. 

Regarding Cam's replacement, if this kind of job interests you and you have a genuine (crazy kind of) love for dogs, please send your CV to info@hongkongdogrescue.com.  Ideally this would suit someone who has already volunteered and understands what's involved, but it's not absolutely essential.  

For the other puppies that are already in foster homes or staying at our Kennedy Town Centres, a selection of them will be attending the regular Sunday Puppy Party at Whiskers N Paws, 2pm to 4pm, if you want to go along to say hello.  As with the Homing Centres, please give yourself time spend with the puppies because we have to leave Whiskers N Paws at 4pm, and the Centres close at 6pm.  If you are serious about wanting to adopt you'll need to be there at least an hour before closing unless you have already visited and met the dog or puppy you want to adopt. 

Fri 17th Feb: All change at Elgin Street

Nacho is applying for the job at Elgin Street

 I was at the HKDR@Elgin Centre today and fell in love with the puppies all over again.  They're the cutest and happiest of characters, with several of them being fuzzy-faced terrier types, but all just enjoying each other's company and having the best time.   Unfortunately I still don't have proper photos to share, because although Elena Mathew came during the week to get some proper shots of their adorable faces, she's been ill since then (not related to the puppies!) so hasn't had a chance to edit and send to me.  Get well soon Elena!  I did try to get some video footage of the pups, but as soon as I got my phone out they collapsed in a heap to have a nap.  

One of the puppies has adopted the Elgin Pose

The Elgin pose (Hetty top left)

There was another very happy adoption at HKDR@Elgin, that of Hope, a shy little dog who has gone to live with one of the volunteers who has got to know Hope, and to gain her trust.  

There are still two other dogs that came at the same time as Hope and were also quite timid, but they have come a long way since their arrival thanks to Cam and the amazing volunteers.  They're Hetty and Helen, and I hope that they'll also soon get their chance of finding a real home, even if they're happy with their situation at Elgin Street.   Both dogs are looking for a quiet area where they can walk outside without the noise and traffic of busy Soho. 

Hope wins!

I also had the chance to meet the new arrival at Elgin Street, a very sweet little dog I'd called Digby, only to discover today that she's a girl who was hastily re-named Dilly.  I don't have details of age yet, but she's a young dog for sure.

There are going to be some changes at HKDR@Elgin as we have to adapt to circumstances and just go with the flow.  This started because we were given notice that the developers are taking over the small shop we currently still have at Ap Lei Chau, the "Red Dog Centre".  The dogs will have to move to Kennedy Town North Street, where there's already no real space, meaning the office and team will have to move to Elgin Street.  Luckily we already have a space at the back of the shop which is a small office area, but the actual packing and moving is another upheaval for everyone.  Poodle Nacho has also moved upstairs where he's very happy, and he's hoping to be given a managerial post if not taking over completely. 

What is does mean though, is that whoever takes over the vacancy at HKDR@Elgin will have company and back-up, so that's not a bad thing.  Our current manager Cam, who helped to set up when the Elgin Centre first opened, is leaving, with her last day being on Monday, so we're looking for the right person to fill that spot.  Ideally this will be one of the HKDR@Elgin volunteers who already has experience of what goes on there and the way things operate, but anyone who is an avid dog lover (essential) and who can also handle running the small shop, plus adoptions, please email info@hongkongdogrescue.com with your CV.