ANIMAL WELFARE
SPCA (HONG KONG)
Founded in 1903, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) is one of the longest-standing animal welfare charities in Asia. The SPCA aims to fulfil its mission by rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals, helping to enforce animal welfare laws, lobbying the government to improve animal welfare conditions, and educating the public through talks, workshops and activities. The organisation has centres across the city, and there are plenty of opportunities for animal lovers to get involved. spca.org.hk
In The Diary:
Dogathon annual charity walk, February 24, 2019; weekend adoption drive, April, 2019.
New Campaigns:
The organisation recently collaborated with local jewellery brand Lukfook Jewellery on the PET PET Ambassador Contest as part of its Aniform Day campaign to promote harmonious coexistence with animals. Owners could send in photos of their pets. The winning animals will be featured on accessories that will be used for commercial and charity projects.
How To Help?
Family memberships are $350 per year or $4,000 for life; individual memberships are $220 per year or $2,500 for life; and junior memberships, for under-16s, are $60 per year. One-off donations are also accepted. Proceeds, including all fees for services such as veterinary consultations, physio, boarding and grooming, go towards supporting the organisation’s animal welfare work. You can also volunteer your time by participating in the SPCA’S fundraisers, helping at the kennels and catteries, supporting the veterinary staff (qualified individuals only) or fostering an animal at home.
ANIMALS ASIA FOUNDATION
Animals Asia Foundation has been dedicated to promoting animal welfare across Asia since its founding in 1998, working mostly on issues involving bears, cats and dogs in Mainland China and Vietnam. With the aim of ending the bear bile trade—which confines more than 10,000 bears to bile farms in the two countries—the organisation has rescued more than 500 bears, which live at its award-winning bear sanctuaries. The foundation’s other aims include ending the trade in cats and dogs, improving the welfare of pets and ending abusive practices in zoos, among others. The organisation works with governments, local communities and researchers, and educates the public through campaigns. Animals Asia prides itself on an empathetic, non-partisan, ethical approach, working to find solutions that keep both local communities and animals happy. animalsasia.org
In The Diary:
Animals Asia Postcard Design Competition, from September; Gala Dinner, November/ December.
How To Help?
Make a one-off or monthly donation; sponsor or send a gift to a bear; volunteer your time; participate in fundraising events or organise your own.
HONG KONG DOG RESCUE
Thousands of dogs are destroyed by the government’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department every year, many of them abandoned family pets, or puppies born to pets or strays that haven’t been desexed. To save these dogs, Sally Andersen founded Hong Kong Dog Rescue in 2003. After being rescued, dogs live at one of two homing centres or at foster homes. The organisation also makes efforts through adoption events to held find dogs permanent homes. To better educate the public on dog welfare, HKDR opened an Education and Training Centre in 2013 that hosts various workshops and classes. There’s also the Positive Partners Dog-human Training Course, which focuses on promoting better understanding and communication in dog owners, rather than on just training dogs. hongkongdogrescue.com
In The Diary:
Gala dinner, October.
How To Help?
Make one-off or monthly donations from $50 to $1,000; join the Life Saver Club to sponsor a particular dog ($200, $500 or $1,000 per month for a minimum of 12 months); volunteer as a dog walker or foster carer; or volunteer with your company, school or other group. The organisation also runs fundraising events and raffles.
“I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO SPEAK FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. WE SHARE THE WORLD WITH OUR FOURLEGGED FRIENDS, WHO DESERVE OUR LOVE AND PROTECTION, AND I AM PROUD TO JOIN FORCES WITH THE SPCA IN PROVIDING JUST THAT.” —KAREN MOK
“I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AN ANIMAL LOVER, PARTICULARLY DOGS. IT BREAKS MY HEART TO SEE SO MANY DOGS KILLED BECAUSE THEY WERE ABANDONED OR UNWANTED OR ARE STRAYS. HONG KONG DOG RESCUE’S MISSION IS SIMPLE: SAVE THESE DOGS, FIND HOMES FOR THEM AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC TO ADOPT, NOT BUY.” —TANSY LAU-TOM