When you've been in the dogs rescue "business" for as long as I have, you'll have seen a huge shift in the whole concept of dogs being kept as house pets, and the attitude towards their care. Even the government woke up to the fact that dogs are part of Hong Kong society now, and the demand for acceptance led to dog parks being built, and then allowing dogs access to certain human-only parks too. When I first started trying to help the homeless dogs, there was no way out of AFCD for any of them except in black plastic bags, so that too has seen a big change in the way dogs are treated, with adoption being promoted as far as possible.
With all of these positive changes there has been the less happy growth of the breeding trade, legal and largely illegal, pet shops selling puppies, and even puppy sales via the internet. Now it seems everyone wants to have a dog, whether or not their home and lifestyle are compatible with keeping an animal that has specific needs. Some of the adoption enquiries we get are shockingly bad, all the more so because we're aware that the breeders don't care where their puppies end up, as long as they get the money in their pockets.
I was reminded of this big change in attitudes today when we had non-stop visitors to our Kennedy Town Centres wanting to adopt, or thinking about adoption at least. However at the end of a long and incredibly busy day there had been no adoptions, only one little dog (Dexter) being taken for fostering (thank you!). Some people are looking for specific breeds and won't consider any others, which is very sad whichever way you look at it, especially as we have so many amazing dogs available. Hopefully at least some of those potential adopters will come back on Sunday after having had a think, while others will need to wait until their situations change so they have the time to take care of a dog.
Later in the day I was asked if we could accept more smaller sized dogs and puppies on Monday (see top photo), and also a husky. I ascertained that the husky was friendly towards both people and other dogs, so if anyone is interested in this particular breed and can provide the space and air conditioning that they need, please let us know. I don't have specific details yet, and the photo I was sent was blurred as the husky was obviously moving, but I'm going to assume that it's a youngish dog at least.
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| Happily Sadie made it through surgery |
Thank you so much to everyone who donated towards the cost of Sharlene's jaw surgery, and while we have nearly reached our target there are so many other dogs who need to have essential operations, planned or otherwise.
Today it was German shepherd Sadie who had to be rushed to Acorn with a twisted stomach, and luckily she got there in time to have this emergency condition fixed. However Sadie will have to stay in hospital for a critical few days to make sure that she's stable, but then she will have to return to the Tai Po Homing Centre.
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| Beautiful Sadie is coming up to 8 years old now |
Sadie has been with us for a long time, years in fact, even though as a very beautiful young German shepherd she had a lot of interest when she first arrived. She even went to at least one home for a while, but ended up being returned when her size and strength made her too difficult for the adopter to handle outside on walks. Now Sadie's skin is being affected by outdoor living in the heat, humidity and rain, and it's really sad to see her still homeless after all this time. She's such a sweet and affectionate dog in the home, but she doesn't like other dogs when she's out walking. At this stage we'd be happy for her to find a large home with it's own garden where she can just be a family dog.
Shop 4, G/F, Brilliant Court, Sai Hong Lane, 28 Praya Kennedy TownShop 4, G/F, Cheong Yue Mansion, 13-19 North Street, Kennedy Town
EVERY SUNDAY 2pm- 4pm at Whiskers N Paws! 10/F Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau
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