Weds 7th Feb: Meet the tinies

 We seem to be accumulating a lot of very tiny dogs, some of which are already with us while others haven't yet arrived but are in the process of being surrendered.  Hopefully we can either find foster homes for them, or even better forever families, rather than them having to stay at the Homing Centre.

This tiny boy is 10 years old 

The latest surrender request was for a teacup poodle to add to the twin sister poodles, Ginger and Sarah, we have already agreed to accept. Minnie and Mouse, the tiny pom and Maltese, are already at our Kennedy Town Centre and available to meet any day of the week, including over the Chinese New Year break, in case you're looking for a very small companion (meaning under 5 kilos in weight).

Ginger and Sarah 

 

Even if you can't commit to adopting, we'd be happy to send the little ones to foster homes, especially those that need the almost-inevitable knee surgery.  

Minnie 

Mouse 

Alice and Arlene at WNP 

We also need holiday foster homes for the two older puppies currently staying full time at Whiskers N Paws, as the store will be closed for Chinese New Year.  Alice and Arlene are really wonderful doglets, incredibly sweet natured and medium sized.  Of course they too would love to be permanently adopted, and this is a great opportunity to see how they fit in with your family.  You don't need to take both, just one is fine.  Alice and Arlene are great with other dogs and puppies, as well as children. 

For fostering please complete the form at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/, and for adoption it's www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/.

Tues 6th Feb: A totally unacceptable situation

 Today's story isn't really mine, but I want to share it because it underlines the frustration of having to negotiate the hypocritical rules that seem to apply randomly when it comes to dogs and illegal breeders.  

Around midday I got a message from Catherine of Catherine's Puppies, about a large number of poodles that were in the middle of a field somewhere in Yuen Long, an area I think of as bandit country as it's still quite remote and with most of the illegal breeders operating out of there.  The dogs were under a flimsy tent-like covering, and while Catherine and a local volunteer were trying to work out what was happening and what to do about it, I suggested that they call the police.  

You can see all the photos and story on the Catherine's Puppies Facebook page so I won't duplicate here, but what's really heartbreaking and frustrating was the initial lack of interest from AFCD when we contacted them to go to the site, saying there was nothing they could do as the dogs were all legally registered.  How did they know that?  And in any case it turned out not to be true, as several weren't microchipped or licensed.  Anyway, eventually the police were called, but not before the "owner" of the dogs had already left with the female poodles, and the police called AFCD who in turn called SPCA. 

SPCA arrived at around 11pm and said there was nothing they could do as there was no cruelty involved (Catherine herself had fed the dogs, something she was apparently not supposed to have done), and when AFCD finally turned up they took six poodles who had no microchip while the rest of the dogs were released to the "owner". 

Look at the photos and tell me that there's nothing illicit or abnormal going on here, and that this is  perfectly acceptable situation.  Then you will understand the frustration of trying to do anything, and why I long ago gave up on ever reporting anything to AFCD or anyone else, or asking for their help.  

Mon 5th Feb: Playing the waiting game

 I wanted to share the adoption photo of Julie, even though I'd already written that she had been chosen. It's so lovely to see a dog that isn't obviously super-cute, and even a little bit oddly shaped, find its forever family so quickly, and this was a perfect match.  What Julie lacks in superficial beauty, she makes up for in her sweet nature and temperament, and that's what really matters, especially when there are young children in the home.   It's the same with Alice and Arlene, the two older puppies who are staying at Whiskers N Paws, as they may not be an in-demand breed or have supermodel looks, but we know that they are also very sweet dogs.

Mouse 

We took the two tiny dogs from AFCD today, and they're now called Minnie (the pom) and Mouse (the Maltese).  The pom weighs only 2.5kg, and the Maltese 2.3kg, which is the size of most puppies. The problem with such unnaturally small dogs is that they almost always have bad teeth from a young age, and often wobbly knees too, and both of these conditions apply to Minnie and Mouse.   We would really like a foster home of both of these little ladies, as not only do they need to have surgery but they're also so small and vulnerable at the Homing Centre.  Please contact our Foster Coordinator, Cindy, at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com if you're already registered as a foster parent, or complete the foster form at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/ if this is your first time. 

Minnie 

There was a lot of interest in some of the available puppies, in particular Lily and Lambert, but only later in the month after the Lunar New Year break.  We don't usually arrange meetings with foster dogs and puppies until the potential home is ready to adopt, because if another good home is offered in the meantime then obviously we'll accept.

Lambert and Lily 

If you're interested in adopting, please complete the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/, but please also mention when you're going to be ready to bring a dog or puppy home. 

Sun 4th Feb: So many adorable puppies!

Lily 

 I've never  chosen a dog, even if dogs have been part of my life since I was a child, and I know I'd find it very hard to have to pick just one out of so many if I ever had to.  

Of all the puppies at today's Whiskers N Paws Puppy Party every one of them would be amazing to have in any home, from the supercute Lily and Lambert to older Alice and Arlene with their happy and gentle personalities.  

Alice and Arlene are sisters 

You can see them all in the wonderful shots taken by Jimmy Tsang  Puppy Adoption Day 4th Feb 2024, and if you're interested in adopting please start by completing the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/.  All of the puppies who were there today are staying in foster homes, or full time at Whiskers N Paws until they're adopted (Alice and Arlene).

Enzo has both the looks and the personality 

Nolan is a grown-up version of Lily

Nolan was today's lucky dog at our Kennedy Town Homing Centre, and just in time as we have more small dogs arriving on Monday.  I mentioned the black pom and the Maltese yesterday, but today we received a surrender request for a very tiny (and young) pom, due to allergies in the family.  UPDATE: the white pom is now not coming.  

Sat 3rd Feb: Finally it's Hugo's turn

Hugo 

Although not an adoption (yet), I'm happy to be able to say that golden retriever Hugo has finally left our Tai Po Homing Centre on a foster basis, and to lose weight and build fitness.  Although still relatively young,  Hugo came to us massively overweight, and that's not heathy or fair for any dog.  I'm looking forward to the updates on his progress, and maybe the news that he won't be coming back. 

We did have quite a few potential adopters coming to meet the Kennedy Town dogs today, but nobody who can take a dog immediately.  Also, and as happens in so many cases of new dogs or puppies coming in, there are a lot of enquiries about puppy Merlin, not all suitable for his particular character. We try to match the potential homes with the personality and energy level of each dog or puppy, although some people take it personally when we suggest they consider a different choice.  This really isn't the case, we just know how important it is that both sides are happy and that everything works out. 

 I'm just starting to panic slightly at the prospect of the Lunar New Year holidays, not because of the adoption slowdown this time, but because I remembered that vet clinics will either be closed, or at least operating with minimal staff and emergency-only service.  Our van driver will also be on holiday, and I can't imagine finding a hire van is going to be easy. With so many of my Lamma dogs reaching old age, at any given time one of them could suddenly go downhill fast and it's often not the one I expect. Certainly I'd never been concerned about Zola, who died suddenly the other day, but now Puppy Girl (who still has her temporary name fifteen years later) is worrying me, and I found a suspicious lump on another dog which I should really get checked.   The other problem is that the dogs that live with me aren't used to leaving the house and the very quiet environment that I live in, so it's a huge drama even getting them over to Hong Kong Island.  Life is never dull - or easy.

Fri 2nd Feb: Last WNP Puppy Party before CNY

 We had our preview of summer today, but I think that's it for a while as we can anticipate a traditionally cool and rainy Lunar New Year.  As a reminder, this Sunday the regular Puppy Party will take place at Whiskers N Paws in Horizon Plaza, from 2pm to 4pm, but the store will be closed over the CNY break so there will be no puppies there on Sunday 11th February. I don't think many people will be thinking about adopting during the holiday, but since I'll be working and so will most of the HKDR staff, I'm sure there are others who will want to take advantage of the free time to meet new potential family members.  Our Homing Centres will be open as usual, and there are plenty of puppies in foster homes that you can ask about meeting.  Please email foster@hongkongdogrescue.com, or complete the adoption questionnaire shown below. 

Bertie when he first arrived

As you know, some of these foster puppies are with Lyndsay, and you can see many photos and videos like this one on her Instagram page @why_i_foster.  I particularly wanted to share this video because it shows all four available puppies, meaning Bertie, Enzo, Merlin and Muffin.  Each one of these youngsters is different in both looks and personality, with Bertie being shy of humans but totally besotted with the new pups.  He will need to be in a home where there are already other dogs for him to learn from and to play with, just like many of our Kennedy Town small adults who lack confidence.  In a way these types are actually much easier to take care of because they demand nothing in terms of attention from you, but obviously as single family pets they're not suitable. 

The pom is 5 years old 

We have two new small dogs coming to us from AFCD, a little black pom and a Maltese , and they'll be available next week.

The Maltese is 7 years old

Ginger and Sarah

We have also been asked to accept two tiny poodle sisters, Ginger and Sarah, and they will need to be adopted as a pair.  They're six years old and weight five kilos each, so together they still only total what we would consider a small dog.

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

Thurs 1st Feb: Adoptions and Secret Admirers

 It would be easy to think that the winter was now over judging from today's temperature, not to mention the spring fog that came out of nowhere.   The weather can be deceptive, just as the way a dog or puppy looks can fool everyone into thinking it's something it's not. I mention this because of one little pup who has had a lot of interest since arriving, and his name is Merlin, currently in a foster home (Instagram @why_i_foster).  However this cute bundle of fur marched straight in and thought he was the boss, with his energy levels off the charts.  His foster parent, Lyndsay, said it was almost impossible to take any photos or videos as Merlin was charging about the place, while the other foster puppy, Enzo, is so calm and polite in his manners.  We have had several adoption enquiries for Merlin, but whoever takes him home will need to take his bold and outgoing personality into account. 

I do have some adoptions to mention, with Irma the Alaskan Malamute proving to be a very sweet and easy girl, despite her size, and newish arrival Julie also passing her adoption interview. We're all especially happy about Julie because she was horribly injured when someone threw boiling water on her, and now she'll have a new family to love and care for her. 

Sweet Julie 

Also just in, foster puppy Janet has found her forever home, leaving sister Jasmine to hope for the same good fortune.

Jasmine 

 

Janet on the right, with little Emma at WNP

Other than Chinese New Year, it's also coming up to Valentine's Day and we put together a small promotion for our long-term residents who have never been lucky enough to find a home.  For some this is because they came to us as very scared puppies who took years to overcome their fear, while for others it was just a matter of bad luck and timing.  As a No Kill Organisation, we pledge to take care of all of our dogs for the whole of their natural life, and that means many of them growing old at our Homing Centres.  These seniors require extra care and veterinary attention, so we hope that they can become Life Saver Club dogs, meaning having their own sponsor to support the additional costs as they age. If you would like to become a Secret Admirer for any of our dogs, you will also be offered  a free health check and vaccination for your own dog (or one of our HKDR dogs if you don't have a dog) at Acorn Veterinary Hospital!

You may not be able to provide them with a forever home, but you can be their secret admirer for a year. This means a lot to these dogs who haven't found "*the one*" in their lives. Show them warmth by sponsoring them for $12,000 for a year. Your sponsorship will support the daily care of your ‘admired’ dog, as well as providing your own dog with a health check and vaccination at ACORN Veterinary Hospital.

And you will also receive:

- A special Life Saver Club Certificate

- Biannual updates of your sponsored dog

- Be entitled to two free tickets to our annual Peak To Fong Sponsored Walk

- ⁠A free vaccination and basic check up for your own dog from Acorn Veterinary Hospital. If you don't have a dog, you can pass this opportunity to one of our HKDR dogs too. (Only suitable for sponsors who are joining in February and select one-time $12,000/year sponsorship.)

Our first dog is Joss! Joss joined HKDR when she was young. She was always shy and would hide when volunteers tried to take her out for a walk. After years of effort, Joss finally built trust. In recent years, she started to have eye discharge, and from catching sight of her, she would stay still and wait for us to clean her. A few months ago, Joss was found to have nystagmus and dizzy symptoms. She was diagnosed with vestibular disease, but luckily she is doing alright now, except for a little head tilt. Joss still enjoys going out for walks. She still doesn’t have a sponsor to support her. Can you be her "Secret Admirer" and help her during this time?

Stay tuned for the announcement of more hidden gems! Let's show some care to the rescued dogs during this month of love!

Start sponsoring today : https://hongkongdogrescue.com/.../sponsor-a-dog-life.../