Sun 10th Dec: Know what the basic requirements are for keeping a dog

Rufus taking a rest after all the games 

 I'm going to start with Eric Tang's lovely photos from today's Puppy Party at Whiskers N Paws Puppy Adoption Day 10th Dec 2023, because apart from anything else you can finally take a look at our ready-to-go puppies, Rufus and Romy, currently staying at our Kennedy Town (Brilliant Court) Centre.  I'd shared their photos recently, along with sibling Reggie and shiba puppy Pickle, and I'm happy to say both of the latter are now in trial homes.  Eric's photos are almost all fast action shots of very happy puppies having the best time on the terrace, and there are so many that it was impossible for me to choose just one.  Please take a look for yourself and you'll see what I mean. 

Romy 

Lucky Axis 

Even better, Axis was adopted today at Whiskers N Paws, leaving just the two sibling girls from this litter, Arlene and Alice.   The whole litter all have lovely characters with very sweet natures, and you can meet the two still remaining any day at Whiskers N Paws during opening hours. 

Johnny 

I was waiting for photos of some of our younger puppies-in-waiting, which include the "J" litter of four, two cream-coloured and two black-and-tan.  I shared their first group photo yesterday, and now you can see how Jamie and Johnny are doing in their lovely foster home.  I think they're both beautiful, and if you agree and are interested in adopting, please complete the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnnaire/ as a first step.  You can also follow Bandit and Bethany from the "B" litter on Instagram @ foster_doggie_hk, and they're also available for adoption of course. 

Jamie 

As you know, the surrender requests come in every day, and even if they're dogs that we can accept in principle, I'm shocked by the number of dog owners who are ignorant of so many basic facts about keeping a dog.  For example, many dogs aren't licensed, or the licenses have long ago expired, with the owners claiming they didn't know that dogs needed to be microchipped/licensed or vaccinated.  Most aren't on heartworm prevention or desexed, and the fact is that we can't be expected to have all of these tests and procedures carried out, especially when the chances are so high that the dog will have heartworm.   If you buy a car I'm sure you find out what licenses and insurance are needed, and you know that you have to take a test before being able to drive.  Why is it so hard to make carry out such easy and basic research on what the legal requirements are for having a dog, and the minimal protection needs such as puppy vaccinations against infectious diseases, de-worming, and tick and heartworm prevention in adult dogs. 

Several people forwarded a message about a dog that had been adopted from HKDR and was being taken to Canada by the family, but wasn't allowed to board the flight due to various problems. As we haven't been contacted directly by the dog's owners, who I believe had expected to be allowed to take the dog in the cabin with them, I'm not sure what the current situation is.  I assume the owners took the flight themselves, and are trying to make arrangements for the dog to follow once the paperwork and everything else has been sorted out, and I also assume that no agent was used to help with the requirements in the first place.  All I can say is that while it's much cheaper to arrange everything yourself, you had better be sure that you know exactly what the rules are and that you have all the forms and paperwork correctly completed, and an approved travel crate of the right size.  We have all sizes of travel crates available for sale at our store at 22 Elgin Street, and the prices are very low so there's no excuse.