Over the twenty one years since the official setting up of HKDR there have been some very difficult periods, with challenges that at times seemed insurmountable. One of these was when we were forced to leave our Pokfulam site, which had originally been a purpose-build quarantine kennels so was perfect for us to walk straight into. With literally two weeks left and still with nowhere to go, what is now the well-established Tai Po Homing Centre was offered as a temporary refuge back in 2010, and of course we're still there.
Over on Hong Kong Island, the same happened when we had to vacate our Homing Centre in Ap Lei Chau, forcing us to move to Kennedy Town and split into two separate locations, and subsequently three when we were once again very kindly offered the use of 22 Elgin Street for two years.
With those two years now up, as well as the lease on the North Street Kennedy Town shop ending, we had been very excited about the potential move to a site we had been dreaming about since leaving Ap Lei Chau, so we started the planning based on having lots of space in the new place. Then suddenly the listing was withdrawn, leaving us with no new place to move to while still knowing we had to leave Elgin Street and North Street. Luckily (we thought) another place became available, nowhere near as big but at least sufficient if the layout was well designed. When that too fell though we came to the third option, much smaller again, and we were on the verge of signing the lease when the restrictions being insisted upon made it too much of a risk, bearing in mind we will have to spend a lot of money to renovate any new space and money that is very precious to us.
So as of today we are in a dire situation, having nowhere to go and so many dogs needing to be accommodated. We still have our Brilliant Court Homing Centre in Kennedy Town, but that's not big enough for all of the North Street dogs as well as the "Red" dog at Elgin Street, and the office. Quite honestly, I'm praying for a last-minute miracle, just like the one that saved us when we had to leave Pokfulam.
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| Patsy loves her chair |
On top of that there's a dog called Patsy that I've written about several times, and have also posted about on our Facebook page. She's a very sweet six year-old bulldog type who was lucky enough to be offered a foster home when she first arrived. In fact her foster parent also sponsored surgery for Patsy to help with her breathing, an issue that affects a lot of the bully breeds. Now the foster is leaving for a holiday and Patsy needs a place to go to, but it seems that despite her sweet nature, and because (I suspect) her cut ears make her look threatening, we now have a situation where Patsy needs to move by Saturday and there is no space for her anywhere. Our Homing Centres are just too full, and it would be impossible for Patsy to stay there, especially now that she's settled in a home and has become accustomed to comforts like a soft chair and lots of attention. Is there anyone who can help? Please complete the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/, or for fostering www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/.
Patsy is medium-sized, but being a bulldog type she's stockily built so not a dog that you can carry, for example. She's fantastic with people and doesn't like to be left along for long hours, so she wouldn't suit a home where everyone is at work during the day.
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