Mon 7th Sept: A day of drama at Ap Lei Chau

 It was a day of drama at Ap Lei Chau today, starting first thing when little puppy Ned had to be rushed to Acorn with breathing difficulties (again).  This is the pup that came to us as a very young baby with eating challenges, a result of megaoesophagus as shown by a CT scan.  One of the effects of this problem is that food or milk/water can get into the lungs rather than the stomach causing aspiration pneumonia.  We had thought Ned might die during his first battle with this and now the same thing has happened, just before Ned was due to go to his forever home too. 

Later in the day during the afternoon feed, new-ish puppy Radar (show here with brother Otto) was being bullied by the older and bigger William, and as a result a piece of kibble went down the wrong way and Radar started to choke and then collapsed.  Quick-thinking Iris luckily saw what was happening and was able to get the biscuit out by holding the puppy upside-down and thumping Radar's back which caused the lodged kibble to come out. 

As if that wasn't enough excitement, I'd got a message from AFCD Pokfulam letting me know there was a new puppy there which needed urgent medical attention, so Ming went to pick the puppy up and drive it straight to Concordia Pet Care (where he had just come from).  The puppy had an extremely low PCV of only 7% and platelet count barely supporting life.  A blood transfusion was needed immediately, but it was already six o'clock and the Ap Lei Chau dogs had been fed (including the drama with Radar). 

We would normally send a larger dog from Tai Po as a blood donor but there was no time to do that, so we discussed which of the Ap Lei Chau dogs would be most suitable.  It was shy Feta (the middle dog in the photo) who ended up being chosen, and to jump to the end of the story she's fine although I'm sure not happy at having to spend the night at the clinic.  As for the puppy we'll have to wait and see, but at least she has some healthy red blood in her now and can start treatment.

This reminded me very much of when I first got my Lamma dog Stardust from AFCD as a tiny ball of fluff and with a PCV so low I was told she would be unlikely to survive.  Stardust is thirteen years old now, so there's always hope.

You may already know that large areas of the New Territories are being cleared for development and whole villages disappearing.  I'd seen a post on Facebook about two lovely young dogs living in a cage in one of the areas being forcibly evicted by the government, and in this case it's actually a very lucky turn of events for those particular dogs as the owner has to give them up.  I'd read that the dogs were very friendly so I offered them a place at our Tai Po Homing Centre, and they'll be coming on Thursday.  For some dogs the "home" we can offer is so much better than they have had to endure, and that certainly applies in this case.  If you want to give them even more, meaning a proper home of their own, please complete the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescu.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Sun 6th Sept: Still more puppies arrive

 From having gone through a longish period of really having very few, if any, puppies coming in, the numbers have suddenly increased and keep multiplying.  In fact for the first time today I had to say no more, at least until we've homed some of those we already have at the Homing Centre, especially knowing there are so many babies in foster homes who will soon be coming back to us. 

The two new pups that came today are very similiar to Otto and Radar but they came from very different places so aren't related, at least not directly.  Today's pair are female Tina and male Arlo, and they'll be heading off to the vet on Monday for their health check and vaccinations. 

Puppy Martha (the black one) was adopted today, but with her still being very young her brother Maddox was taken along for fostering for a while, until they're old enough to be on their own.

Sharpei-cross youngster Digby was also adopted directly from his foster home, so we'll have to wait for those going-home photos. The photo shows Digby and his four brothers the days they came to us. 

Today's lucky Tai Po dog was ex-Ap Lei Chau puppy Hilly, who had moved to the big Homing Centre when she outgrew the small space. 

Again we had many visitors to both Homing Centres, but it seems everyone is looking for small dogs or puppies and unfortunately they're just not coming to us at the moment.  However poodle Yoyo found her forever home today, although I don't have a photo to share yet.

Sat 5th Sept: An imposter arrives at Tai Po

 The torrential rain that started the day understandably put some planned adoption meetings on hold, but the dog we had agreed to accept did turn up - except it was the wrong dog.  The short-haired boy that was delivered to our Tai Po Homing Centre looked nothing like the fluffy girl whose photo I'd been been sent, and after some to-and-fro messaging it was agreed that this was a different dog.  We'll keep him anyway but finding him a home will almost certainly take longer than it would for the much prettier fluffy girl. 

After the rain cleared we had quite a lot of visitors to both of the Homing Centres, but despite being pretty sure that at least some of the dogs would end up leaving with their new families it turned out not to be so.  However I think several families have just taken time to decide and will be back on Sunday, while we have promises of homes early next week for other dogs (no names yet of course). 

Some of those who we anticipate will be leaving to start their new lives are young puppies, and we have a good selection at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre for potential adopters to meet.  I do have to mention that they are all mixed breeds and of unknown adult size, and we don't have any small-sized puppies.

Two brothers that were taken for fostering when they first arrived returned to Ap Lei Chau today and they have really grown!  That's the thing about puppies, although they are born helpless and tiny the rate at which they grow and change is quite incredible, and this is something that I tell all adopters who are struggling with their puppy's behaviour.   Even a week is a long time in a baby puppy's life and development, so what seems to be a huge problem one day will quickly disappear.  Look at the difference a couple of weeks have made in Smudge and Smiffy and you'll see what I mean.

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Today is the International Day of Charity

International Day of Charity - 5 September

, declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to raise awareness and mobilizing people, NGOs, and stakeholders all around the world to help others through volunteer and philanthropic activities. The date of 5 September was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 "for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace."

To this end, Coin Dragon is doing its part for this cause. Since the start, Coin Dragon has processed over HKD$600,000 worth of coins to 32 charity and non-profit partners! While a few coins may seem insignificant, but when accumulated the impact could be very significant! Your unused coins could make a difference today!

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Fri 4th Sept: Babies and bulldog

 It's currently pouring with rain on Lamma so I have some time to write before taking the dogs out.  The rain is welcome in many ways but we currently have a runaway dog, Charlie, in Sai Kung and because he's already a very nervous boy the thunder and rain doesn't help in terms of catching him.  I also worry about any young puppies who are outside and on hillsides, as this is when they're washed away and will certainly perish if not found by volunteers.  This is exactly how many of our current babies-in-foster came to us, but it makes you wonder how many others there are that aren't as lucky.  Here's Gina and Gunner, two of the babies currently in foster. 

A group of new dogs went to Concordia Pet Care today for their helath check, and as expected Mark (pictured) tested positive for heartworm, while luckily German shepherd Mona doesn't have it.  Mark is a lovely boy, very friendly and happy, and it's frustrating that his chances of finding a home are reduced because his ex-owners couldn't be bothered to protect him, something that's really so easy to do.  

I wanted to share the photos of the four year-old bulldog again today in the hope that it would help him find a home.  In the photo he looks like an English bulldog although the video I have seems to indicate that he's more French, but either way he's a typical bulldog in his behaviour.  (As the video won't upload I can send to genuine potential adopters on request). 

Probably only those who are familiar with the breed will understand what I mean, but they aren't the easiest of dogs and what makes them difficult to read is that their faces are so distorted that you can't tell when they're happy and when they're angry.  Regardless of this, bulldogs are popular and have many fans, so I'm hoping at least one suitable person will be interested in this boy.  Please complete the adoption questionnaire as a first step at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Thurs 3rd Sept: Two new recruits

 Two more puppies joined us at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre today, brothers Otto and Radar (I don't know which is which) so as always they'll be sent for a health check and vaccination as soon we can arrange it. They're at a good age for adoption being that little bit older than our other puppies, as it's always a balance with the younger ones between making sure they're socialised while keeping them safe from infectious diseases.   If you wait too long to take a puppy out it might have real fear issues about the noise of traffic and meeting strangers, so we always suggest carrying a puppy out in a bag as early as possible so it gets used to such things.  If it's at all possible to arrange playdates with other puppies and even willing adult dogs then this is also very helpful in helping a puppy develop good social skills and just to have fun.  

Remember that puppies are born in litters of (usually) six to eight and would naturally stay together for the first few months at the very least.  Of course in this human-based society that's not possible, but it's important to bear in mind the natural behaviour of dogs and puppies if you're going to adopt.  Puppies can't be left alone for long hours without it affecting their adult behaviour and outlook on life.  That's the reason we insist on young baby pups being fostered in pairs so they at least have the comfort and company of a sibling. 

Our newest litter of eight babies are doing well in their respective foster homes and I'm sure you'll enjoy this photo of Gussie and Gail full and fast asleep after their milk feed.  We're so grateful for all foster parents who do such an amazing job of hand-rearing very young pups and making sure they grow to be strong and healthy.   By the way, if you're looking for a medium-sized dog and don't mind waiting, keep an eye on Gails's progress.  She's the little black-and-tan girl in the photo. 

 

I didn't post a photo of the two new poodles yesterday because I was hoping they could have a haircut first, but here's what they looked like on arrival.  The hairy one is the younger boy at six years and the other one is eleven, the same age as our sweet female poodle Yoyo.  As always please complete the adoption questionnaire in advance if you're planning to visit either of our Homing Centres to meet the dogs and puppies this weekend.  It's at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/ 

Weds 2nd Aug: Time for a change in the laws

 The new dogs from AFCD arrived today, with mixed breed Mark and German shepherd Mona going to our Tai Po Homing Centre while the two poodle boys, Linus and Titus, are now at Ap Lei Chau.  They will all be sent to have a health check and vaccination, and very importantly a heartworm test.  As the dogs came from the Sheung Shui Animal Management Centre and heartworm is so common in the New Territories we have come to expect that most adults will test positive. 

The eight babies were picked up in pairs by their respective foster parents, and for Gail and Gussie they came via Ap Lei Chau and had a quick feed before leaving.  Everyone asks how big puppies will grow to be as adults and the answer is always that we have no idea.  However judging from the sizes of these two babies in their shoebox, the boy Gussie is considerably smaller than his sister Gail so we can assume that he will still be smaller when grown. 

The following Press Statement is from the SPCA on a horrific cruelty case, and the lack of any successful outcome in terms of punishment for the perpetrator of these crimes.  Once again the animals have been let down by the pathetic and outdated justice (hah!) system in Hong Kong and the lack of any deterrent sentencing for cruelty towards them.   The frustration felt by all Animal NGOs is widespread, and it boils over into anger when something like this happens.  The Department of Justice (www.doj.gov.hk) seems to be more interested in prosecuting people for jaywalking or not wearing a facemask while hiking than for real crimes like these.  The person who carried out such barbaric cruelty is a psychopath who needs to be locked up to keep animals and humans safe, because as is well-known sadistic murderers always start by torturing helpless animals.   Time and time again such crimes against animals have failed to result in successful prosecution and it's time for a change. 

SPCA(HK)-Eng

rrtSpontsoredt

SPCA’s press statement relating to the case of injured and dead animals found in Tsing Lung Tau

February 14 of this year, the SPCA assisted at the request of the police on the discovery of animal carcasses in Tsing Lung Tau. On that day, the Society’s inspectors found 15 animal carcasses scattered on the hillside outside a housing estate in Tsing Lung Tau. A total of 15 surviving animals were found nearby on the same day and over the course of the following two weeks, although 3 of them subsequently died at the Society’s veterinary hospital as a result of serious injuries inflicted. The tragedy claimed the lives of 18 and resulted in the extreme suffering of 12 animals. The Society feels extremely sad, angry and disappointed that no one has been held accountable for this incident of extreme cruelty.

We believe that the animals concerned would never have sought death, and they definitely without a shadow of a doubt would not have had the ability to collectively end their lives on that stormy night. Furthermore, we also believe that the animals concerned were owned, together with the fact that they were all found in a residential area points a high level of suspicion towards foul play.

The Society was extremely concerned about the case, and performed several follow up visits after February 14 in case there were still surviving animals. In fact, we discovered and rescued 5 more animals on the hillside on February 15, 16 and 27. During the subsequent six-month investigation, we submitted multiple veterinary reports to the police, stating that the likely cause of the death and injury to these animals could be due to falling from a height. We also reported the physical and mental injuries of the surviving animals to the relevant law enforcement agencies, expecting that this important and relevant information could assist the police in prosecuting the persons involved. We had always hoped the case and the facts would be put before the court, and the case could be heard and decided on by a magistrate. We are therefore extremely upset with the current outcome.

In the past six months, the Society has done everything in its power, but despite all efforts justice has not been served for these innocent victims. We feel extremely angry, regretful, and disappointed! Do Hong Kong’s laws and prosecution procedures designed to prevent animal abuse need to be reviewed? Do the current laws governing microchip implantation need to be expanded to cats and other small animals to ensure that owners can be identified and held responsible? In the past few years, only some of the suspected animal abuse cases handled by the Society were prosecuted in the end, with the others left unattended for various reasons. Regretfully the Tsing Lung Tau case was eventually deemed unfit for prosecution, but the Society cannot just standby and ignore this outcome. We will meet with relevant law enforcement agencies on this matter to express our views, and strongly lobby for improvements. Among our requests will be the increasing of the time bar (currently 6 months) for cases of this kind to enable the authorities to thoroughly investigate these complex issues. We hope that all cases of cruelty to animals will be adequately followed up, and those who commit animal cruelty will get the punishment they deserve, and justice can be sought for all animals who have suffered at the hands of humans.

The Society has been notified by the police that the 12 surviving animals in our care have been classified as animals whose owners cannot be identified, and as such we are in the process of arranging for these survivors to be rehomed. Currently these animals are being cared for by our dedicated veterinary team, who in addition to supporting their physical recovery are also helping them overcome their psychological trauma. Among them, some animals are obviously still wary of humans, and our caring staff will be spending extra time with them to enable them to gradually regain their trust in humans. We will accompany these animals along their path of recovery until we succeed in finding family members who truly love them and the forever happy home they all truly deserve.

Tues 1st Sept: Forty-one adopted and quickly replaced

 I know many potential adopters are waiting for smaller-sized puppies or adult dogs to arrive, and we're also wondering where they're all going because they must be somewhere.  We are getting two poodles from AFCD on Wednesday, although not puppies at eleven and six years of age, as well as a German shepherd and a mixed breed.  Details will be shared tomorrow, but for now here's the list of the forty one lucky dogs that found homes during August:  

Tai Po Homing Centre:
Tammy (Multibreed)
Jack (Multibreed)
Brandon (Multibreed)
Kaylee (Multibreed)
Lucy (OES cross)
Hilly (Multibreed)
Mandy (Multibreed)
Samuel (Multibreed)
May (Multibreed)
Paddington (Multibreed)

Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre:
Lulu (Multibreed puppy)
Lotto (Multibreed puppy)
Ruby (Multibreed puppy)
Esme (Multibreed puppy)
Sophie (Poodle)
Finn (Terrier cross puppy)
Kit (Terrier cross)
Pumpkin (Multibreed puppy)
Mossy (Multibreed puppy)
Tippy (Multibreed)
Scrumpy (Multibreed)
Prissy (Multibreed puppy)
Max (Multibreed)
Dublin (Yorkshire Terrier)
Mia (Poodle)
Beanie (Bichon Frise)
Romeo (French Bulldog)
Bubby (Yorkshire Terrier)
Pansy (Multibreed puppy)
Goose (Multibreed puppy)
Ava (Pomeranian)
Ziggy (Poodle)
Fidget & Ticket (Terrier/chihuahua cross)
Muffin (Multibreed puppy)

Foster Home:
Lizzie (Pomeranian)
Inky (Multibreed)
Hailey (Multibreed)
Mocha (Labrador)
Bumpy (Multibreed puppy)
Aretha (Multibreed)

Pudsy was the first September puppy to leave the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, and she's gone to a lovely home to be sister to a previously-adopted HKDR doglet.  I'm always very happy knowing that the adopted puppies won't be on their own in their new homes because dogs really do love having another dog as company (other than those who have never been socialised). 

As Pudsy was leaving I was having two conversations about new dogs and puppies that will be coming to us (as well as those from AFCD).  The very young litter of eight that I'd mentioned previously and who were going to be staying with their mother for a while longer, ended up being washed down the hill during heavy rain and were subsequently picked up by the volunteer who'd been watching out for them. I posted a notice on our HKDR Facebook page for foster homes and I think we have the four required, so thank you to all who responded so quickly.  Feeding very young babies is hard work and time-consuming, and having done it myself many times in the past I'm doubly grateful for the offers of help.

The other dogs that are in need of new homes are a bulldog (looks more French than English) boy, four years old, and his mixed-breed companion.  At first I was told the bulldog had no behaviour issues which was a nice surprise since the breed in general can be quite difficult.  The volunteer who had contacted me about the dogs then went to visit them and followed up with a correction on the initial information, saying that the bulldog was a typically challenging dog.  So although he is available if anyone is interested in offering him a home he can't be with children or anyone who isn't familiar with the bulldog temperament.   I do also have a video I can send to genuine potential adopters. 

The mixed breed girl, also four years old,  is easier in that she can be sent to our Tai Po Homing Centre.  She doesn't have a great life currently so I feel it will be a step in the right direction for her even if it's not a real home.