issue
101
Aug 2016 / Oct 2016
Promoting Animal Welfare in China
Spotlight Dogs and cats in Hong Kong are often victims of hit-and-run drivers. Many are killed outright, others are left on the roadside with serious injuries, or they crawl away and die unseen. Immediate and proper help could save them. In this issue’s adoption story, Merry (seen here), a female mongrel who was allowed to roam free on the streets of Tuen Mun, was knocked down by a truck and badly injured. She crawled into a playground and fortunately for her a concerned passer-by called for help. Merry was one of the lucky ones. She was rescued, operated on, and later adopted by a new owner. When you read her story, we hope you will realise that it really was luck that saved her, because dogs’ lives, unlike those of humans and some other animals, are not protected by law. According to Hong Kong’s “Road Traffic Ordinance” (Section 56 of Chapter 374), when an animal is injured by a vehicle on a road, the driver must stop and report the incident to the police. However (to quote the ordinance), “animal (動物) means any horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig or goat”. Dogs, cats and wild animals are excluded. You only have to read the ordinance to tell how out of date it is. During the “Policy Address” public consultation at the beginning of 2016, the SPCA appealed for letters to be sent to the government to ask for the inclusion of dogs, cats and wild animals in the ordinance. The Legislative Council’s Subcommittee on Issues Relating to Animal Welfare and Cruelty to Animals urged the government to draw from international experience. The laws in Singapore and the United Kingdom, for example, protect dogs and cats involved in traffic accidents. Dr Ko Wing-man, the Secretary for Food and Health, in a reply to the legislators at the beginning of June said the government was preparing a review of the ordinance. The SPCA hopes this will happen soon and that redefining “animal” to include dogs, cats and wild animals will place them under protection, and thus increase their chance of survival should they be hit.
Photo Credit: Leong Yi Ting
Further, the SPCA’s free Mongrel Desexing Programme (MDP) played an important role in Merry’s rescue. She had been microchipped during her desexing and the SPCA was able to contact her carer in time for consent to emergency surgery. Since 2014, the MDP has desexed over 4,800 dogs in the community, preventing them from reproducing. Desexing the dogs protects them from some diseases, malnutrition, cruelty, reduces roaming (and thus traffic accidents) and generally promotes their welfare. Mixed breed dogs have long been neglected and disregarded as being inferior. They are often used as guard dogs and left to wander without proper care. With this in mind, the SPCA pays special attention to them to improve their welfare. Owners and their agents can apply for mongrels aged between four months and seven years to be desexed in the SPCA’s seven clinics, Fairview Park Centre and on the Animal Welfare Vehicle. For information, please call 2232 5511 or contact us by email cdp@spca.org.hk. Together, we can bring better lives to our mongrels!
Views of an SPCA Volunteer Soon after Leonie Stawniak and her husband moved to Hong Kong three years ago, they became SPCA foster parents for puppies. Full-time fostering lasted a year and a half until Leonie got a full-time job and wasn’t at home to raise and train the puppies. Instead, Clifford, a mongrel with extreme separation anxiety who needed special attention, spent his every weekend with the couple. Finally last summer, after months of fostering, lots of hiking and having help from SPCA staff towards Clifford’s recovery, the Stawniaks adopted him as their dog. “Fostering and animal welfare do not have to stop when adopting. So now we have a new ‘foster dog’, Lazzie, who we are also taking on hikes during weekends until she gets adopted,” says Leonie. “The love and friendship animals give are unconditional, and I feel privileged to be part of their journey in life. Unfortunately, they need us to speak up for their rights because far too often they’re mistreated. I am so thankful for the work the SPCA does to rescue and protect them.” Issue 101 . 1
Pawprint issue
101
Aug 2016 / Oct 2016
CHIEF EDITOR Vivian Chiu EDITOR Kuma Chow CONTRIBUTORS Dr Louise Anderson Chris Cui Dr Matt Downey Carrie Lam Vincent Li Rebecca Ngan Phyllis Pang Debbie Tam Judy Wan Dr Adam West Antonia Wong Letty Wong Dr Fiona Woodhouse Heather Yin Chi Hang Yung VOLUNTEER EDITOR Carol Dyer DESIGN Kitty Lau Vanessa Lui OFFICIALS OF SPCA Mrs Regina Leung Ms Gigi Fu Miss Pamela D. Barton MBE Mr Tim Hamlett Mr Derek Kwik Mr Rob Morris Mrs Lucy Wong COMMITTEE MEMBERS Dr Judith Clarke Ms Joanna Eades Ms Cathy Hilborn Feng Ms Jacqueline Kwan Mr Derek Kwik Ms Angela M. Lefknecht Mr Rob Morris Ms Barbara Pudwill Ms Kelly Wong EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ms Alice Choi
Notes from ExCo Originally from England, I have lived in Hong Kong for nearly 13 years. I am a lawyer by training (specialising in tax law) and now run the Asia Region Tax Group for PepsiCo. I was brought up with dogs, cats and ducks, and there was always some poor creature I had found (generally a victim of one of the cats) that I spent many hours trying to nurse back to life… I have always been concerned about animals: their welfare and living conditions, and the very often harmful impact that people have on them. I have two rescue dogs which can generally be found with me running on Hong Kong’s trails or helping support my dragon boat team (they are nicknamed the Seadogs!). I feel very strongly that dogs should be allowed to thrive and enjoy an active life. I have been pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to keep dogs in Hong Kong, from the fabulous walks they can enjoy to the friendly taxi drivers who find it amusing to see a gweipo with tong gau, but I have also been shocked by some of the dreadful treatment of animals in Hong Kong. Both my dogs were victims of the “Bowen Road Dog Poisoner” (the consequences of whose acts are horrific and mindless). However, the experience left me hugely impressed by the quick response of the SPCA’s wonderful vets who helped save their lives. As a result of this and other interactions with the SPCA, I was keen to become more involved and help support its fabulous work by joining the Executive Committee, to which I was elected last December. I would like to see the SPCA continue to evolve and grow, leveraging technology and communication media to publicise its good work, educate the public and to further its mission as the premier animal welfare charity in Hong Kong. I would like to encourage all members to become actively involved in the Society in order to ensure that it keeps pace with change and continues to develop and fulfil its animal welfare objectives. Joanna Eades
2 . Issue 101
Contents Spotlight 1 Views of an SPCA Volunteer Leonie Stawniak 1 Notes from ExCo Joanna Eades 2 Wonderful donation for Cinderella Medical Fund from Mr & Mrs Ng Kwok Wing 3 Notice board 4 Cover story Promoting animal welfare in China 5-9 Feature Hong Kong’s ongoing housing crisis – pets in peril… 10 Inspectorate SPCA Case Files 12 - 13 Veterinary Vet Facts: On Flying Cats 14 Vet’s Case Book: Sammy the Lucky Flying Cat! 15 Vet Tips: Keeping Your Pets Safe! 16 - 17 At the front line Dr Louise Anderson, Marcus Lo, Charson Leung, Connie Cheung 18 - 19 SPCA update Our thanks to Perfect Potion for their great generosity 20 Stanley Dog Carnival 20 Annual volunteer party 21 The SPCA urges expediency in the passing of the proposed amendment to the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Animal Traders) (Cap 139B) 21 Community development A Waterfront for Us All 22 China outreach Three-pronged condemnation of Yulin dog meat festival 23 Happy endings Traffic accident survivor “Bloody Merry” found new home 24 Awaiting adoption Wong Choi, Ah Tong, Happy, Meli 25 Members’ corner Review of Members’ Activities 26 - 27 Kids’ corner Summer Highlights 28 - 29
To Members The Executive Committee of the Society has completed a review of the current Constitution, and will be proposing various changes; the aim being to enhance the governance of the Society. These changes are being proposed having taken into account the constitutions and rules of other similar organisations, independent professional advice, and the views expressed by some members at previous Annual General Meetings. The proposals will be put forward for approval at the 2016 Annual General Meeting, to be held in early December (date to be confirmed). A draft of the revised Constitution is now on our Website, which you can access by logging on with your membership number. If you have any comments on the proposed changes, please forward these to constitution@spca.org.hk by 15 September 2016.
From Executive Commitee
Wonderful donation for Cinderella Medical Fund from Mr & Mrs Ng Kwok Wing Merry, the dog mentioned in Spotlight, who suffered severe facial injuries in a road traffic accident in Tuen Mun, had been brought back to SPCA headquarters by inspectors following an SOS call from the police. Once consent had been obtained from her owner, the veterinary team performed major emergency surgery and managed to stabilise her condition. She was hospitalised for a week, by which time her blood results had returned to normal and she was again her happy-go-lucky self. Most of Merry’s medical expenses have been covered by the Cinderella Medical Fund, which is a SPCA welfare fund dedicated to helping animals and owners in need. Kind-hearted animal lovers Mr & Mrs Ng Kwok Wing recognise the real importance of the Cinderella Medical Fund in helping sick or injured pets whose owners cannot afford medical treatment and generously decided to make a donation to the Fund. We would like to say a BIG thank you to the Ngs for their kindness. Issue 101 . 3
Special thanks to Signeo Design International Limited
“Love Treats” from Kir International Ltd
Pet owners often miss their pets when they’re away from home. Meanwhile, pets left alone at home can feel bored and lonely. Petcube Interactive Wi-Fi Pet Camera, launched by Signeo Design International Limited, allows owners to play and interact with their pets via a mobile phone so they can be attentive to their pets’ every move at any time. Signeo Design International Limited is very supportive of the SPCA’s animal welfare work. It offers priority ordering and discounts to SPCA members, and for every purchase of Petcube in Hong Kong, it will donate part of the proceeds to the SPCA to help more homeless animals! We would like to say a big thank you to Signeo Design for its support and donations! The SPCA always welcomes corporate support, please call us on 2593 5451 for details. 4 . Issue 101
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Kir International Limited for donating dog treats for our homing dogs. The company also offers a discount for SPCA supporters who’d like to donate such treats to our shelters. A “Love Treat” is an all-natural, cheese-flavoured healthy chew made with yak and cow’s milk. SPCA supporters can buy individually packaged chews for $50 (normal retail price $90). Each dog treat purchased will be sent directly to one of our shelters so our homing dogs can get a “taste of love” before finding a forever, loving home. For each purchase, Kir will donate $8 to the SPCA. Please visit our online charity store at www.spcahk.org for more details.
Promoting Animal Welfare in China
“Our China Outreach programme reflects the SPCA’s commitment to improving animal welfare. In comparison with the acceptance of animal welfare concepts and the legal protection afforded animals in Hong Kong, animal welfare in mainland China still faces a long and difficult road. However, someone must be willing to take the first step if we want to have any chance of success. As Asia’s leading animal welfare organisation it is our duty to help regions in need, especially in China where animal welfare protection has been almost non-existent. Every step we take in China will have an effect on the quality of life for countless animals. Thanks to the support of many good people in Hong Kong and China over the years, we have moved one step at a time, improving animal welfare and changing people’s attitudes towards animals.” – Ms Chris Cui, China Outreach Director
Current welfare situation in China As a rising world power, China is attracting global attention over its animal welfare issues (mistreatment, slaughter, live cooking). In the 2000s, the lack of awareness among the Chinese public for the need to protect animals and the failure of the country’s existing laws to safeguard animal welfare encouraged the SPCA Hong Kong to formally begin its China Outreach Programme. The initial objective was simply to improve the standard of veterinary care. However, the Outreach Programme later expanded its aims – using education and introducing legislation – to improve also the welfare of animals in China. The result of its efforts are now being seen.
At the moment, only endangered species are protected by law. Harming or killing any other animals is not a punishable offence, and instances of cruelty to animals are plentiful: • • • • •
Local governments ordering mass culling of stray dogs, many of whom were beaten to death with sticks Furriers tearing the fur off live animals “Farmers” extracting bile from live bears kept in captivity Illegal slaughterhouses pumping water into live pigs and cows before killing them The annual Yulin dog meat festival, where countless stolen pet dogs are slaughtered for consumption
Animal cruelty cases in recent years 2002: A student in Beijing poured acid onto several bears kept at the Beijing Zoo. However, the Wildlife Conservation Act only pertains to the illegal hunting of protected species and does not cover the injuring or abusing of wild animals. The student was only prosecuted for intentional destruction of public property, and thus evaded criminal sentencing. 2009: In response to the death of seven people from rabies in Hanzhong (Shaanxi Province), dog catchers beat tens of thousands of stray dogs to death with bars to control the epidemic. 2012: Fujian’s Guizhentang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd was revealed to have 1,200 bears in captivity, each with a tube embedded directly into its abdomen to extract bile. 2014: Two teens in Henan Province illegally captured 16 Eurasian Hobbies (small falcons) – a level 2 protected species. They were jailed for 10.5 years and 10 years respectively. Popular sentiment indicated people felt the sentence was too harsh: while the culprits knowingly broke the law, they were unaware of the severity of their crime. This incident demonstrates that many people have a poor understanding of the Wildlife Conservation Act.
With the current lack of legislation and regulation, the relationship between people and animals relies solely on people’s ethics. Does China, in fact, have any legislation and regulations aimed specifically at protecting animal welfare? China does have some animal welfare protection, although it is incomplete. In 1988 the National People’s Congress passed the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Wildlife. However, it only governs the acts of smuggling and hunting rare wildlife. In addition, the number of animal species explicitly given protection is limited. The law also does not account for the welfare of other animals, meaning it is unable to prevent animal cruelty. In light of this, Professor Chang Jiwen, research director of the Institute of Law at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences took the lead in drafting the Animal Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China (later renamed the Law on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). In accordance with the content of the proposal, harming an animal will lead to a fine, depending on the circumstances. Causing the death of an animal through deliberate cruelty is grounds for criminal liability. The proposed draft also stressed the importance of animal welfare, including physiological, environmental, hygienic, behavioural and psychological well-being. The draft also emphasises that from birth to death, all animals have these basic rights.
“My country’s work animals, livestock, laboratory animals and performing animals have no legal status… according to existing laws, only the hunting of endangered species under legal protection will be investigated. There is virtually no penalty for the abuse of other animals.” – Sun Jiang, Director of the Animal Protection Law Research Centre at the Northwest University of Politics and Law
Legislation related to animal welfare
1982
The National People’s Congress passed a new constitution. Article 9 iterates the state is responsible for “the protection of rare animals and plants”.
1988
The National People’s Congress passed the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Wildlife.
1997
The National People’s Congress passed the Animal Epidemic Prevention Law of the People’s Republic of China, strengthening the management of epidemic prevention activities while controlling and eradicating epidemics.
2004
Beijing Municipal People’s Congress passed the Beijing Regulations for the Administration of Laboratory Animals. Experiments involving animals must pass an ethical review before tests begin.
2005
The National People’s Congress passed the Animal Husbandry Law of the People’s Republic of China.
2006
The Animal Husbandry Law was amended, removing all references to “animal welfare”.
2007
Draft regulations on humane slaughter were developed. Henan was selected as the testing ground for humane slaughter techniques.
2007
The State Council passed the Regulations on Administration of Hog Slaughter, prohibiting the slaughter of pigs pumped with water or other substances.
2008
Led by Professor Chang Jiwen of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a draft Animal Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China was proposed.
2010
The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development issued the Directive on Further Strengthening the Management of Zoological Gardens, prohibiting zoos and other parks from hosting animal performances.
What are people’s views on the multitude of animal welfare debates in China? Do people see animal welfare as a moral problem, a legal problem, a cultural problem, or a matter of interests?
“Substandard food can often be traced back to poor treatment of animals. Modern methods of largescale intensive animal farming, from breeding to slaughter to arrival at the market, fail to meet an animal’s physical and psychological needs. If an animal’s quality of life is guaranteed, I believe any food you can place at the dinner table is guaranteed to be safe.” – Grace Ge Gabriel, IFAW’s Regional Director for Asia
What is your opinion on the views of these Chinese animal welfare experts?
According to some assessments, Chinese people have a very traditional culture and are highly reluctant to view animals as their equals. Many are also not used to the idea of seeing an animal as a family member and refuse to believe that animals also have emotional needs. In addition, people also feel the concept of animal welfare is a Western idea introduced into China to attack their livestock industry’s exports, making them very hostile towards attempts to discuss animal welfare. Others believe that the welfare of animals should not take precedence over the welfare of the poor in China. However, the relationship between humans and animals is deeply intertwined. If animal welfare does not improve, people’s lives will be threatened – SARS, bird flu and swine flu were all traced back to animals – for most people, their personal safety is the most compelling reason to support animal welfare.
“Animals in the natural world don’t have any ‘welfare’ to speak of. What they have is a symbiotic relationship and mutual benefits, not an abstract concept of welfare… protecting an animal’s habitat is their biggest welfare. Now I am not saying that we ignore the conditions an animal is raised in. We certainly should not abuse animals either, since they can create benefits for us. If you want to show the public how it is done, treat animals well and do not abuse them.” – Yan Xun, Chief Engineer for the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserve Management of the State Forestry Administration
“Our drafted Animal Protection Law (Experts’ Proposal) … will be helpful in promoting the national harmony of Chinese people, stabilise China’s animal product exports and promote the employment of Chinese farmers.” – Chang Jiwen, Professor at the Institute of Law at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Do you have any suggestions for dealing with the animal problems that China faces?
SPCA Hong Kong’s work in China Pushing for legislation The SPCA also took part in the drafting of the previously mentioned Animal Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China. The Welfare Department worked with Amanda Whitfort (Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong’s Law Department) to compile opinions and recommendations. These were later sent to the drafting team’s head, Professor Chang Jiwen, other active NGOs in China and Chinese officials. In 2010, our representatives attended a historic international forum in China on legislation to protect and manage animals. Roughly 180 people attended the event, from academics and NGO representatives, to animal welfare law experts, all brought together by the draft Animal Protection Law. After several revisions the draft law was handed to the National People’s Congress.
Humane education We were also the first to introduce animal welfare education into China, promoting our humane education package to China’s secondary schools and universities. The SPCA also held summer and winter camps related to animal welfare for students to learn the four basic animal welfare concepts of responsibility, love, care and consideration, and to understand the relationship between people and animals. For the public, we held outdoor Animal Day activities, promoted animal welfare and adoption, together with a “Responsible Owner” campaign to reduce irresponsible actions causing conflicts between humans and animals. The SPCA also worked with Tencent Video, alongside actors and directors from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, to create animal-themed short films on welfare issues such as stray animals, animal cruelty and humane slaughter.
Veterinary training Animal welfare standards and the quality of veterinary care are closely related. In the early 2000s, when the SPCA formally began its veterinary outreach programmes in China, we focused our resources on two major aspects of training: lectures and surgical demonstrations. We also distributed DVDs and other educational materials introducing desexing, while our veterinary observation programme allowed vets from China to come to Hong Kong for in-house observation and to experience animal welfare work. Over the years, we have provided training that allowed many Chinese shelter vets to improve their skills. Recently, the vet department’s Dr Jane Gray and Cat Colony Care Programme (CCCP) coordinator Calais Sin were invited by the local governments of Dalian and Qingdao to help train over 100 participants in animal welfare and desexing techniques. We also helped train 40 vets from 28 animal clinics, sharing our 15 years of experience in desexing stray cats for the successful CCCP. Vets with no previous opportunities to attend comprehensive training programmes felt the content of the training was very practical for their future work. Our long-term partner Qingdao Animal Protection Association began a citywide stray animal desexing programme in January 2016, hoping to desex 3,000 stray animals by the end of the year. By the end of May this year, roughly 800 animals had already been desexed. We hope that Qingdao’s successful adoption of animal desexing will promote its adoption in other Chinese cities as well.
“I was a pet adopter until I attended some SPCA lectures. There I learned about pet health, illnesses, body language and other useful information. After the lecture, I signed up to be a volunteer. My impression of the SPCA is one of reliability and trustworthiness, with a rather mature system in place. As a volunteer it made me feel that my efforts were meaningful and effective, not the hopeless struggle I thought it was.” – Zhang Xinhua, a volunteer for the SPCA in China
“Participating vets can greatly benefit from the programme. For example, Dr Wang from Shanghai visited twice. Upon returning to his own clinic, Dr Wang established a small cat colony care programme in his neighbourhood.” – Dr Jane Gray, Chief Veterinary Surgeon at the SPCA
8 . Issue 101
Improving shelter design and management We have provided sustainable development models, shelter design and management advice to both government and private shelters in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing and Qingdao. In 2013, the Dalian government shelters were about to undergo expansion. Representatives visited the SPCA’s Wanchai centre for a tour of its kennels and cattery. We gave recommendations on shelter design and even visited the shelter construction site during construction to ensure the new facility was up to animal welfare standards. Today, the Dalian shelter is finished and is in operation. We also provided desexing and shelter management courses for the staff, with courses including topics such as cleaning and disinfecting; animal admission procedures and management; disease prevention; and safety and public health. Government shelters and animal welfare organisations from Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou, Tianjin and Xi’an have participated in our training. We hope our training can improve the welfare of the hundreds of stray animals living in shelters and that the Dalian shelter’s successful experience can serve as a model for other mainland government facilities.
Post-disaster work After the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, our teams travelled to Chonghing and Chengdu’s affected areas. They worked together with local animal welfare organisations, animal shelters and volunteers to save animals. Our teams also complied with local government requests to vaccinate rescued animals against rabies in order to avoid an outbreak. In addition, we helped fund and oversee the design and construction of new shelters and organised lectures for shelter staff and volunteers on proper first-aid techniques and commonly encountered diseases. The more volunteers understand shelter management, the stronger the foundation for the future development of animal welfare activities.During the 2015 Shenzhen landslide, the SPCA also sent teams to the front line to provide rescue tools, treat injured animals and help victims reunite with their missing pets.
Shenzhen education and homing centre In 2015, we finally set foot in Shenzhen, establishing the Shenzhen education and homing centre. The establishment of a centre in China and the work of SPCA staff in China will allow us to effectively and directly provide animal welfare information. The adoption centre, located in the Nanshan District, provides humane education lessons and adoption services. Around 70 animals await adoption every day, cared for by eight full-time staff members.
Did you know…? The China Outreach Programme has already trained
300 vets and educated 27,300 mainland students. 4,000
Around mainlanders graduate from schools in China every year.* There are approximately
40 veterinary
30 million pets and nearly
80,000 vets in mainland China.**
* *University Grants Committee’s Report of the Task Force on the City University of Hong Kong’s Second Proposal of Establishing a School of Veterinary Medicine in Hong Kong (2013).
Address: Nanshan District (please make an appointment to visit the centre +86 755 8603 5169). Please take note of our social media platforms www.facebook.com/spcachina or WeChat account SPCAChina. Please also consider donating to the China Animal Welfare Fund to help support our cause and improve the well-being of animals in China.
** Hong Kong Economic Journal “Elevating standards of mainland vets to improve animal welfare” (3/6/2014).
Issue 101 . 9
Hong Kong’s ongoing housing crisis – pets in peril… Dog ownership in public housing has been a repeated social and animal welfare concern over the past 25 years, and will continue to be so in the coming years with increasing rates of dog ownership in Hong Kong and changing societal needs and expectations. Public housing tenants who wish to keep dogs may flout the rules, and prospective tenants may already have dogs and be faced with a choice of giving up their dogs or breaking the rules. From time to time there have been crackdowns on dog keeping by the Housing Authority (HA). One such crackdown in 1996 lead to wide-scale family disruption and the forced abandonment of much-loved dogs in the face of the threat of eviction. In 2003, the HA introduced the Public Housing Estate Marking Scheme and took action again. This time, in response to widespread public outcry and campaigning by the SPCA and other animal welfare groups, a grandfathering arrangement allowed dogs that met or 10 . Issue 101
could comply with certain criteria to remain with their owners to live out their lives. At this time, over 13,000 dogs were granted a reprieve and allowed to continue living in public housing. Research suggests that in 2010 there were around 15,600 dogs living in public housing, but only 8,300 were there officially leaving an estimated 7,300 dogs at risk of abandonment. “Housing not allow” is still one of the major reasons dog owners cite when giving up their dogs to the SPCA or AFCD. Dog keeping in public housing is allowed with the permission of the management and the housing authority has a system to help manage related issues. However, the HA has adopted a policy position in terms of giving permission that effectively bans the majority of public housing tenants from keeping dogs. Town planning (including public housing estate design) takes into account modern life and aims to meets the needs of
society and today’s public housing. That some of the rules that regulate how current tenants are treated still date from the 1960s is out of step with and does not match some societal needs and wants – such as dog ownership. The fact that from 2003 over 13,000 “grandfathered”dogs were able to live out their lives in public housing with few if any reported problems shows that it is possible to permit and manage dog keeping on a more general, wider scale in the public housing setting. Singapore and New York can be looked to for examples on how dog keeping in social housing can be managed, but there are many other approaches that could be considered. The SPCA has all along advocated that tenants should not break HA rules, but that the rules on pet keeping (including dogs) should be reviewed and adjusted to have a more positive approach to dog keeping – providing a framework for a fairer and enlightened policy.
“Animal cruelty is a crime ! ”
Rescued
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This Small Indian Civet was found with its right forelimb caught in a gin trap on a hiking trail in San Tin. SPCA inspectors freed the animal, conducted a quick sweep of the area for further illegal traps and took the civet to Kadoorie Farm for treatment. Civets are nocturnal and solitary, and the Small Indian Civet can be identified from the other local civets by its small size and beautifully banded tail.
A kitten heard crying frantically in a sports ground in Kowloon City was eventually located trapped inside a drain. Inspectors put some tasty cat food near the drain opening to attract the kitten to within their reach and then slipped a noose around its neck. Once secured, the kitten was gently pulled out of the drain hole. It was taken to the SPCA for treatment and care before finally being re-homed.
Inspectors rescued a bat whose wings had got tightly entangled in the barbed security-wire of a private housing estate building in Hung Shui Kiu. They gently held the animal while carefully cutting the wire from its wings. The bat was taken to Kadoorie Farm for treatment and care. Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight; their extended finger bones serve to support their flight membranes (wings).
The Inspectorate would like to use this case to remind ALL cat owners to install window screens to avoid their cats climbing out and falling to their deaths or being badly injured. This cat jumped from a window in its owner’s high-rise flat in Tin Shui Wai and was caught on an outside ledge. It was saved by an SPCA inspector who returned the cat to its owner with recommendations on window security.
12 . Issue 101
Inspectorate figures at a glance October to December 2015 Hotline calls received Animals handled
7,892 849
Animals rescued Complaints investigated
376 205
Collection
Pet shops inspected Wet markets inspected
240 221
Collection
07
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05
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December
December
The Red-billed Chough is a very distinctive and beautiful bird (a member of the crow family) which breeds on remote mountains and coastal cliffs from Europe and North Africa to Central Asia, India and China. It is not a local species and this bird was likely imported into Hong Kong by the black-market pet trade. Found in Kwai Chung, it was collected by an inspector and referred to Kadoorie Farm for care.
Unwarily stepping onto a rat glue trap in Kowloon City, this desperate kitten found itself firmly and painfully stuck to the board by the fur of its hind quarters. Inspectors were called, and using olive oil gently removed the kitten and referred it to the veterinary team for treatment and care. It was later re-homed. Rat glue traps are inhumane and cause slow and agonising deaths for the animals they trap.
A concerned member of the public picked up an injured Blackheaded Gull from the side of one of the Central Ferry Piers and took it to the SPCA in Mongkok. Inspectors collected it from there and transferred it to Kadoorie Farm for treatment. The Blackheaded Gull is the commonest gull in South China and is an abundant winter visitor to Hong Kong, when the plumage on its head is white (as seen here).
Belonging to the owners of a shop in Sham Shui Po, this cat got itself stuck behind a large commercial fridge. Climbing on top of the two-metre-high fridge, Inspectors managed to reach the cat with an elongated lasso. After much effort, it was successfully noosed, lifted up and freed. The cat was probably looking for warmth. This is a reminder of another potential hazard that pets can face. Issue 101 . 13
V E T
F A C T S
ON FLYING CATS
The “flying cat” is a commonly used term for a cat injured by falling from a height. Of course, if cats could fly there would be no issue but unfortunately they can’t ! Another term, “high-rise syndrome”, is often used and as the name suggests it is associated with mankind’s increasing move into urban and high-rise environments. The syndrome describes a range of commonly seen injuries resulting from such accidents. The cat is an inquisitive animal with a natural affinity for heights and thus a certain lack of fear towards them. Their claws are more than just weapons – they have evolved to allow a firm grip of tree-trunks and branches, but are little use when it comes to gripping modern building materials! Falling can be purely accidental or due to fixation on a bird or object outside the window – the saying “curiosity killed the cat” sadly rings true!
Some interesting facts: • • • • •
•
Overall, the mortality rate for cats falling between 2 and 32 stories is 10% – far lower than for dogs and humans. Never assume the worst – always rush down to check! Cats have a “righting reflex” which requires only about 2½ feet (75 cm) of free fall to perform. The key advantage of this reflex is to get the cat in a position where “drag” is greatly increased, lowering maximum airspeed (terminal velocity). The terminal velocity of a cat is approximately 97 km/hr while humans can be 195 km/hr! It takes a fall of about 5 to 7 stories for terminal velocity to be reached; generally, as velocity is increasing the injuries become more severe. Interestingly, however, falls from higher than 7 stories often seem to result in LESS severe injuries than from 5 to 6 stories. The thinking is that after reaching terminal velocity the cat stops perceiving acceleration and so the body relaxes, allowing it to be far more shock absorbent. Most deaths occur due to chest injuries, but broken teeth, split palates (the roof of the mouth) and fractured jaws and legs are all commonly seen.
As always, prevention is better than cure. There are several ways to cat proof your windows including fixing mesh screens or purpose-made products such as “Flat Cat” screens available online from the UK (www.flat-cats.co.uk). No drilling or expert fitting is required so you don’t need to get permission from the landlord!
Until cats realise they "can't fly like a bird", better to be safe than sorry! 14 . Issue 101
Dr Adam West Senior Veterinary Surgeon
V E T ’ S
C A S E
B O O K
Sammy the Lucky Flying Cat!
The X-ray shows the heart silhoutte elevated from the sternum. There is a lot of air in the stomach as the cat was gasping for breath and swallowing air.
A 13-year-old male, neutered Persian cat called “Sammy” was brought to our Wanchai hospital as a night time emergency. The cat had been missing from his 10th floor apartment since 1 pm that day, and when the owners eventually found him on the street later that evening, there was blood coming from his nose and he was having trouble breathing.
(pneumothorax). Warm intravenous fluids were given to treat shock, and the resultant hypothermia (low body temperature), together with a mild sedative to keep the cat calm. Fur on each side of the chest was clipped and the skin prepared for a sterile procedure. This involved inserting a needle and removing 60 ml of air from each side of the chest, after which the cat’s breathing became much easier.
On arrival, Sammy was taken immediately to the surgery floor and given oxygen by facemask. He was breathing with severe effort and it was very difficult to hear his heart with a stethoscope because of lung noise. It was the vet’s opinion the cat had sustained thoracic (chest) injuries after falling from the apartment’s window and was in severe shock.
Once the cat had been stabilised, a general anaesthetic was administered and a temporary chest drain inserted to prevent any further build-up of air. X-rays were repeated after the tube placement and showed pulmonary contusions (lung bruising), which would take time to heal.
X-rays confirmed the presence of air in the pleural cavity around the lungs
Over the next few days, the cat made a steady recovery with further air being
removed from the chest cavity via the tube on a twice-daily basis to help him breathe while the lungs slowly healed. After five days we were able to remove the drain and send “Sammy” home. He has since made a full recovery! Cats often fall from balconies or windows of high-rise apartments. The injuries sustained are very much like being hit by a car. Broken legs, ribs and jaws are common, as are split palates (the roof of the mouth), lung damage, abdominal trauma and diaphragmatic rupture. In the end, despite his failed attempt to fly, Sammy was very lucky! He has definitely only got eight lives left… he needs to use them wisely! Dr Matt Downey Assistant Senior Veterinary Surgeon Issue 101 . 15
V E T
T I P S
TAXI
Keeping Your Pets Safe! Cats and dogs can be very curious and regularly get up to mischievous things. Here are a few tips to keep them out of trouble. Cats and Dogs Medicines, cleaning products: as a rule of thumb, if you’d keep it out of reach of a child, keep it out of reach of your pet! Never give human medicines; always ask your vet. For instance, Panadol is fatal to cats! Electrical cables, wires: are exciting toys and highly chewable! Run cords under carpets and rugs or cover with plastic 16 . Issue 101
conduits from hardware stalls, and unplug appliances when you go out! Flying pets: never leave your dog or cat unsupervised by an open window or balcony! Pet proof your windows and enclose your balcony! Toxic treats: many human foods are actually toxic to your pets, for example chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions and the artificial sweetener xylitol.
Cats Poisonous plants: chewing on houseplants is more than just annoying, it can be dangerous or even fatal; examples include lilies, azaleas, chrysanthemums, irises and crocuses. Breakables: should be out of reach or in cupboards. Cats are very good at jumping, particularly onto tables with loose covers on – a recipe for disaster!
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ado
Pan
Washer-dryers: are very appealing, warm and full of comfortable clothes. Toilet lids: keep them down! At the least your cat might drink the water, but small kittens can fall in! Needles and thread: tempting playthings and easily swallowed or can wrap around the tongue. Keep enclosed: in a taxi or at the vet’s it’s tempting to take your cat out of its carrier to comfort it; please don’t! Cats may feel secure in your arms at home but out of their comfort zone they can be unpredictable.
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olat choc
Blinds, curtain cords: keep coiled out of reach. A dangling cord is an invitation to play with disastrous consequences, including pulling blinds or curtains down! Even worse your cat can become entangled resulting in skin cuts, internal damage or even strangulation.
Dogs Keep control: dogs love to chase things – birds, balls and bicycles – so when walking near roads or getting out of cars you must keep them on a short leash. Keep cool: Hong Kong can get very hot, and every year we sadly treat dogs with heat stroke. Ways to prevent include
walking during the cooler hours of the day, keeping fur short, avoiding obesity and making sure they have access to shade and plenty of water. Dog proof bins: dogs can be very greedy and steal food from bins, they love chomping on chicken wings or corn on the cob with dire consequences! Parasite control: two common but potentially fatal diseases are tick fever and heartworm. By keeping up to date with parasite prevention you can keep your pet safe! Dr Louise Anderson Veterinary Surgeon Issue 101 . 17
A T
T H E
F R O N T
L I N E
Dr Louise Anderson
Marcus Lo
Veterinary Surgeon
Vet Nurse Supervisor
One of Louise’s most unforgettable experiences happened on a night shift soon after she started at the SPCA. She received a call regarding an elderly female Pug called “Sui Fei” who was panting a lot and seemed very uncomfortable according to her owners. She was straining but only dripping small amounts of pink urine, not a good sign.
A vet nurse’s responsibilities are often misunderstood. The SPCA’s nurses all receive professional training and do a lot more than hand out syringes! In addition to having more than a decade’s real-world experience, Marcus has also undertaken an internationally recognised veterinary nurse programme at Australia’s Box Hill Institute. Nowadays, he and other senior colleagues oversee different areas of expertise. “Roughly 10 years ago,” he says, “the SPCA’s vet nurses began to branch out into medical specialities, such as orthopaedics or chemical analysis in order to broaden their knowledge.”
An emergency X-ray revealed she had several small stones in her bladder and urethra (the tube which connects the bladder to the outside world). The stones in her urethra were causing a blockage, and her bladder was filling with urine; Sui Fei required surgery straight away to relieve the pressure! She was anaesthetised and a catheter was placed into her urethra. With extensive flushing Louise was able to push the stones back into the bladder, after which surgery was required to remove the stones (to prevent it happening again!). These bladder stones usually form over a long period of time and Sui Fei’s bladder wall was very thickened and inflamed because the stones had been constantly irritating her bladder lining. When Louise saw Sui Fei for a recheck a couple of weeks later to remove her sutures, the owners told her that Sui Fei was like a puppy, and that they couldn’t recall seeing the pug with so much energy! Louise found this case memorable because it made her realise how “clever” dogs are at hiding pain from their owners. The stones in Sui Fei’s bladder had been there for a while and had obviously been causing her discomfort. Now that they had been removed, she was back to her happy, playful self – even at 13 years old!
18 . Issue 101
Marcus chose to pursue veterinary laboratory work. At 10 am on any workday morning, the laboratory at the SPCA’s Wanchai Headquarters is already filled with patients’ charts and detailed consultation notes. Alongside the charts, a blood analyser is hard at work. “Blood analysis is very useful in diagnosis,” Marcus adds. “For example, anaemia and a low blood platelet count are all symptoms of tick fever.” Marcus’ job also involves testing urine and faecal samples. While operating the laboratory instruments, he must check their performance and keep an eye out for any equipment error that might affect diagnosis. His job is not an easy one. He needs to be able to multitask and pay attention to detail. In addition, Marcus has to carry out other basic tasks: cleaning the operating theatre and surgical instruments, checking the anaesthetic machine, assisting in surgery or acupuncture, and answering pet owners’ queries. Vet nurses work tirelessly for the health of the animals in their care. Marcus’s one hope for the future is to have better lab equipment. “This will enable us to provide quicker results, meaning an animal can be diagnosed and treated sooner.”
Charson Leung Inspector
Charson will shortly have been with the SPCA Inspectorate for two full years. He started out as an animal welfare officer assisting senior colleagues in rescuing and transporting animals, and answering hotline calls. After further training, he was this year promoted to the rank of inspector. Charson had previously worked as a ride operator in a theme park. Climbing the roller-coaster tracks to perform safety checks was a part of his job that required considerable courage. He applies this same courage in animal rescues. It is challenging work, often requiring inspectors to be highly nimble; Charson once climbed the aerial platform of a fire engine to rescue a bird entangled in string in a tree top. He has also learned to abseil. “It is a skill that is very useful when we are rescuing animals on slopes,” he says. Being at the front line inevitably brings Charson into close contact with animals and this can be risky. Ensuring his own safety is his first task, and to this end he has received much training in animal behaviour and handling. “For example, to catch an eagle, with its very sharp beak, we must use protective eyewear and gloves, and hold its legs tightly,” he explains. Charson also mentions that the SPCA regularly issues security guidelines on topics such as how to avoid catching Avian Flu, as well as reminders to wear reflective vests and helmets in certain working environments. Inspectorate rescue vans carry water, disinfectants and a first-aid kit in case of emergencies. “Friends suggested that I apply for this job because of my love for animals and my courage in accepting challenges. I have found my work with the Inspectorate very meaningful.”
Connie Cheung
Administrator, Cat Colony Care Programme Connie Cheung joined the SPCA as an emergency hotline operator, a job she did for four years before transferring 18 months ago to her current position with the Cat Colony Care Programme (CCCP). Part of Connie’s job involves meeting applicants to the CCCP and explaining the way the programme operates. The SPCA currently has over 700 carers looking after “colonies” of at least three cats. Most carers join as individuals, although some belong to groups, such as SARDA’s Shek Kwu Chau Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre. Connie expresses admiration and gratitude for the carers’ endeavours, saying: “Carers usually pay out of their own pockets for cat food and also for their colony’s medical expenses. Catching cats for desexing often means monitoring the cages for hours on end, but the carers’ efforts are crucial in the reduction of stray cat populations. The more time they spend with their colonies, the more the numbers stabilise.” Every six months or so, Connie updates the AFCD on the colony populations from information provided by carers. She also mediates in any disputes over colonies, dealing, for example, with complaints about leftover cat food by reminding carers to clear up once the cats have finished eating. Connie explains that as some private housing estates refuse to support the CCCP, as does the government with LCSD venues and country parks, the SPCA is now actively negotiating for their cooperation. Connie recalls being told: “Ideally, we hope every party in the society can understand the importance of stray animals’ desexing. Refusal to neuter stray cats only increases their numbers, so we hope many more organisations will in the future recognise this and support the CCCP.”
Issue 101 . 19
S P C A
U P D A T E
Our thanks to Perfect Potion for their great generosity Acknowledging this as our 95th anniversary year, we would like to encourage members to support non-animal-tested beauty products. In May, Perfect Potion Hong Kong held a week-long exhibition for the public at the World Trade Centre to advocate against the use of animals in the testing of cosmetic products. At the exhibition, they displayed thematic photographs of celebrity Ms Laurinda Ho as well as two SPCA information boards about our work and how animals suffer as a result of human ignorance. They also ran the animated microfilm on animal testing issues. This was one of nine films for which we partnered with Tencent in 2014. Entitled Stay Beauty! Go Cruelty Free! the promotional event was officially launched on 11 May. Vivian Chiu from our Education Department was invited to share a short talk at the event on animal cruelty in the cosmetics industry, following which Perfect Potion together with Sun Hung Kei Properties generously donated $100,000 to the SPCA for our animal protection work in the community. Special discounts from Perfect Potion are offered to both SPCA members and staff until the end of 2016. We invite you to support the use of non-animal-tested products so that together we can create a better world for animal protection.
Stanley Dog Carnival Adverse weather at the beginning of this year meant, unfortunately, that Dogathon 2016 had to be called off. To express our very sincere appreciation for everyone who would have supported the event, we organised a special dog carnival at Stanley Plaza on 2 May where participants could “Eat, Learn, Buy, and Be Merry� with their dogs. The carnival included demonstrations in obedience training and how to make cakes for dogs, a health talk, veterinary health checks, a dog grooming service and dog agility games. We invited Ms Gigi Fu, SPCA President, Ms Sharon Kwok, Ambassador of the SPCA Cadet Inspector Programme, and Ms Susan Tse, SPCA Ambassador, to share pet-caring tips and officiate at the kick-off ceremony. We thank all the participants, supporting organisations and sponsors. 20 . Issue 101
The SPCA urges expediency in the passing of the proposed amendment to the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Animal Traders) (Cap 139B) At the time of publication of this issue of Pawprint, LegCo had still not discussed the amendment to Cap 139B. This proposal will make an enormous difference to the lives of thousands of dogs. Unless the amendment is passed, dogs used by the trade will continue to be left vulnerable on a daily basis with no proper regulation or oversight. In 2013, the SPCA set up a dedicated mini-website to promote the importance of amending Cap 139B. A series of public education campaigns were launched using cinema advertisements, video and social media, including creating a Facebook page to present the facts about the dog trade and the proposed amendment. Rounds of meetings were held with LegCo Councillors and different stakeholders urging their support for this important and step forward. The SPCA advocates that this legislation be enacted in 2017 so dogs used in the breeding industry can live a better life. For more information please visit our website at https://www.spca.org.hk/en/legco-2016.
Annual volunteer party On 20 May 2016, the SPCA held its popular annual volunteer party at The Harbourview, Wanchai. Over this past year, volunteers have provided considerable help and made a huge contribution to many aspects of the SPCA’s work and to the animals themselves. Holding such a party is a fun way to thank everyone for their effort and to enable them to get to know each other. Between the refreshments and games, volunteers shared some of their experiences encountered during volunteering: the joys and the sorrows. Of course, the events described focused on our furry friends, making the evening very meaningful for all our animal-loving volunteers, whatever role they themselves play. Issue 101 . 21
C O M M U N I T Y
D E V E L O P M E N T
A Waterfront for Us All
The role of the SPCA’s Community Development team is to promote the harmonious inclusion of animals in the community. It does this by delivering Harmony in the Community talks to members of the public and meets with other stakeholders in pursuit of more animal-friendly facilities. Recently, the team had a meeting with the Housing Authority to press for a revision of the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement and to allow dogs to be kept in public housing estates. They also attended the public consultations on the Wan Chai Development Phase II to share the SPCA’s views on how to make the new Wan Chai North and North Point harbourfront a landmark for enjoyment for people and companion animals, in much the same way that the Wanchai Waterfront Promenade had been . The Wanchai Waterfront Promenade was a project of the Wan Chai District Council and the first promenade which allowed access to dogs. Facilities included the provision of biodegradable plastic bags for owners to clean up after their dogs, a water tap and grass, and these were seen as a great convenience for owners. It was a place where people could meet and chat, play with the dogs and enjoy other leisure activities, and where the dogs could also socialise. Unfortunately, the Promenade was closed on 27 January 2010 when construction work on the Central–Wan Chai Bypass and Wan Chai Development Phase II got underway. 22 . Issue 101
The reclamation and construction work will be completed in phases from 2017 onwards. The public consultations on the design of the new Wan Chai North and North Point harbourfront are in progress. Our team attended a Resident Workshop organised by the Planning Department and offered the view that dogs and dog owners should be allowed to use all areas and facilities in the new harbourfront, provided that owners keep their dogs on leashes. The team explained that the SPCA does not agree with “dog parks” where the dog-keeping community is separated from the rest of the public. “The SPCA wants to see more public facilities which allow access to dogs as long as they are put on the lead by their owners. We prefer it this way rather than have a small area dedicated as a ‘dog park’, which seems somewhat nonwelcoming for the non-pet keeping community,” says Dr Fiona Woodhouse, Deputy Director of Welfare Services. The team will continue to follow up with the Planning Department and different District Councils and in doing so hope to bring to our animal-caring community a “Waterfront for Us All”.
C H I N A
O U T R E A C H
Three-pronged condemnation of Yulin dog meat festival Another summer solstice and the whole world has its eyes on Yulin.
Why this so-called “festival” can be held year after year comes down to the fundamental issue that there is no law in China to prevent such cruelty. While the SPCA continues to campaign for the introduction of effective animal welfare laws that might put a stop to the controversial event, it also actively uses education as weapon to change consumers’ mindsets. Voting to support proposal to ban trading in cat and dog meat In March, Mr Zhen Xiaohe, a representative at the “Two Meetings” – the joint meeting of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference – suggested amending related laws and regulations to ban dogs and cats and their related products from entering the food trade. He also suggested that cruelty to animals should be punished by law. “Driven by a huge profit margin, the trade chain in the sourcing, transportation, slaughtering, and selling of cats and dogs for meat breaks laws and regulations and poses a danger to public health and food safety,” claimed Zhen Xiaohe. SOHU, one of the leading search engines in China, conducted a popularity poll of topics being discussed at the two meetings. The SPCA actively advocated that people should vote for Mr Zhen’s proposal, share it among contacts and create an impact before the end of the conference. This resulted in Zhen Xiaohe’s proposal getting the support of more than 7,000,000 voters, ranking it No. 1 in the popularity poll and showing that people want legislation to ban such brutality. Let’s continue to work together and keep this topic high on the radar of the law makers!
Anti-Yulin dog meat festival, press conference in Beijing On 4 April, the Hong Kong SPCA joined forces with the Humane Society International and leading Chinese animal welfare groups, including Beijing Capital Animal Protection Society, Dalian Vshine and Beijing Ta Foundation, to hold an anti-Yulin dog meat festival press conference for reporters from mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas. Launch of the Truth Restaurant Also in April, we launched the “Truth Restaurant” campaign, a pro-bono project supported by generous donors, against the Yulin dog meat festival with the aim of changing consumers’ food tastes and their perspective on this cruel annual event by exposing the misinformation surrounding the festival. In addition to creating the campaign website, we organised a series of offline events to call for action. This campaign now features in our Responsible Pet Ownership talks across China. It has been taken into universities in China and informative mouse pads about the campaign distributed at Yulin. Donations raised by the campaign are being used to produce animal welfare textbooks with anti-Yulin dog meat festival covers. After Yulin Volunteers reported a drop in the number of dogs slaughtered on the streets during the Yulin dog meat festival this year. However, slaughters might have taken place away from the public eye. The purchase of dogs by volunteers in order to save them might have boosted dog sales, and the welfare of such rescued dogs is questionable because of the lack of back-up shelter facilities.
Actions You Can Take See: www.thetruthrestaurant.com. Please sign the petition. Share the website. And support our humane education programme to change consumers’ ways! We won’t stop until the cruelty ends. Issue 101 . 23
Photo Credit: Leong Yi Ting
H A P P Y
E N D I N G S
Traffic accident survivor “Bloody Merry” found new home “Merry”, whose story we feature in Spotlight on p.1, was badly injured in March on the Tuen Mun Highway by a container truck. A one-year-old female mongrel, Merry had been left to wander the streets alone. A passer-by found Merry huddled by a playground staircase, in pain and bleeding heavily from her face and mouth, and immediately called the police. News of her situation was also posted on social media. Many dog lovers showed concern and commented that Merry was wearing a collar, hoping to find her owner. When the Inspectorate received word of the incident from the police, they immediately sent volunteers over and discovered the dog was microchipped. On receiving notification of the accident, her owner gave the SPCA permission to begin treatment, and Merry was immediately brought to the Wanchai centre. The veterinary team quickly assessed her injuries and blood loss, and took her straight into surgery and saved her. Two days later, Merry could eat small amounts of soft food and was able to take short walks. After a week in hospital and several subsequent follow-up consultations, Merry’s blood tests were back to normal and she was her usual energetic and happy self. On discharge from the SPCA, Merry had returned to live with her owner in a Tuen Mun temple. However, the combination of her owner’s own recent surgery and Merry’s need to stay indoors while she recovered was problematic. Ms Wong, someone who lived nearby and knew Merry, approached the owner to discuss the possibility of transferring ownership to meet Merry’s needs. This was agreed to and Merry’s microchip details were amended to reflect Ms Wong’s role as Merry’s new owner. 24 . Issue 101
Ms Wong later said: “Meeting Merry was the work of fate.” It turns out that the collar Merry was wearing when she was hit had been a recent gift from Ms Wong. Merry had sometime earlier become lost in Shan King Estate, and Ms Wong, a dog owner, had taken Merry home for a rest, bath and a good brushing, before a friend of the then owner had collected her. When one week later Ms Wong saw photos of Merry’s injuries online she was very upset. Once ownership of Merry had been transferred, Ms Wong accompanied her to every follow-up consultation until her full recovery. Merry now gets along very well with Ms Wong’s other two dogs and is also loved by the rest of her family. Ms Wong is grateful to the SPCA for saving Merry. Most of her medical bills were covered by the SPCA’s Cinderella Medical Fund (see p.3), which helps animals and owners in need. The SPCA would like here to remind pet owners not to withhold medical treatment for financial difficulties, or worse, to abandon sick or injured animals. Merry’s case, the SPCA points out, shows how important it is to take proper care of pets so as to prevent them from becoming lost or injured. In addition, dogs aged five months or older should be licensed and microchipped. Any dog the AFCD picks up will then have a clear licence history and potential life-saving owner contact information. Finally, the SPCA encourages caring animal lovers like Ms Wong to adopt a needy animal and give it a loving home.
Please visit our adoption centres to meet our animals any time.
A W A I T I N G
A D O P T I O N
I am a very cheerful and exuberant two-year-old. I may be missing a leg, but I’m not at all selfconscious about it and can manage perfectly well with three! I love to be around people, and will wag my tail like a well-mannered lady every time I meet someone new.
I found myself at the SPCA because I was abandoned together with my four brothers and sisters. My litter siblings have already been adopted and I am now alone, but I am not at all anxious about this. I love being with people and would make a great companion! I really enjoy my training sessions and am a star performer with basic commands!
Wong Choi PN339909 Gender: Female Location: Hong Kong Centre Enquiry: 2232 5529
Ah Tong PN380600 Location: Kowloon Centre Enquiry: 2713 9104
Happy Meli
PN327881 Location: Hong Kong Centre Enquiry: 2232 5529
PN316150 Location: Hong Kong Centre Enquiry: 2232 5529 I first arrived at the SPCA three years ago through the CCCP programme. I’ve just turned seven and am in good health. My early life was spent without human company and this means I am still a little cautious with people I don’t know. I’d love a family to adopt me who have patience and like a quiet lifestyle. The SPCA says I deserve and need someone to bring me love and care.
I came to the SPCA after being hit by a taxi and having my hip dislocated. I’m only a small dog, but it took me over a month to fully recover from surgery. Since then, everything is doing fine. My time at the SPCA has helped me socialise and I play enthusiastically with my friends. Please consider adopting me into your family. I will give you lots of love and loyalty in return!
PET ADOPTATHON SPCA held its 14th annual PET ADOPTATHON on 30 April and 1 May this year at ALL of its Adoption Centres in Hong Kong. Pet Adoptathon is part of a worldwide campaign that brings together animal welfare organisations across Hong Kong in an effort to give deserving animals a second chance in life. We had over 1,100 visitors come and be part of this event and helped over 60 animals find a forever home!
The SPCA’s special website for Mongrel adoption Find your special half at www.meetyourbestfriend.com Special thanks to Razorfish for developing the website on probono basis. Issue 101 . 25
M E M B E R S ’
C O R N E R
Review of Members’ Activities Our “Pet Photography Workshop” was held successfully in late April. Under the guidance of professional pet family photographer Cass Sing-Biegala, participating members learned how to use photographic equipment and apply techniques and tricks for taking good animal photos. They then practised with their own well-behaved dogs as models. The SPCA thanks Cass Sing-Biegala for donating the proceeds of this activity for animal welfare use.
Cruelty-free Skincare Workshop
OCT
This workshop will be held in mid-October to raise awareness of the cruelty of using animals for testing skincare products. A more lighthearted approach will be adopted in the DIY session: here you will learn to make a Cruelty-free Body Scrub. Stay tuned for more details!
26 . Issue 101
Member Benefits and Privileges In addition to our animal-related services, we offer members an array of discounts from merchants and retail outlets. To enjoy these shopping privileges, just present your membership card to the supporting merchants listed below. If you need to renew your membership card, please contact our Membership Department on 2232 5548 or via email: membership@spca.org.hk.
BabySteps FREE Tailor-made Playgroup Session
Shell Card Discount on Fuel Charge
Present your valid membership card to receive a FREE session of tailormade Play or Music lessons.
A discount of HK$2.30 per litre on both Shell FuelSave and Shell V-Power Nitro+. While you enjoy the savings, you are also contributing to SPCA!
Enquiries: 2887 7585
Enquiries: 2635 7611
FREEOCLOCK Tea House Discount Offer
Three Dog Bakery Discount Offer
A 15% discount on tea leaves and tea ware products.
A 10% discount on any product purchase. Store locations: Facebook – Three Dog Bakery Hong Kong (Cannot be used in conjunction with other promotional offers or grooming services.)
Enquiries: 3956 8006
Perfect Potion Exclusive Shopping Offer
ZAO Make-up Exclusive Shopping Offer
A 15% discount on any purchase of regular-priced skincare and aromatherapy products; and with a net purchase of HK$1,200 you will get a FREE bottle of 250 ml Furry Animal Shampoo.
A 10% discount off any purchase of regular-priced products; additionally, with a net purchase of HK$1,000, a Small Bamboo Magnetic Refillable Box will be given as a free gift.
Store locations: www.perfectpotion.com.hk
Store locations: www.zaomakeup.com.hk
There are more shopping offers listed on our website, please visit: http://www.spca.org.hk/en/join-us/become-a-member/member-privileges. (Terms and Conditions apply to each offer. The SPCA (HK) accepts no liability whatsoever in relation to such services and products.) Issue 101 . 27
KIDs' CORNER Summer Highlights Our 10-month Animal Caring Ambassador Programme (ACAP) has finally come to an end. The young students who participated as ACAP ambassadors have had plenty of exposure to animal issues in our learning areas. Not only have they built up a better understanding of a wide range of animal welfare issues, they have developed their communication skills with their peers and teachers. We would love to take this opportunity to share with you, in their own words, some of the issues our ambassadors have learned about in this programme. These include understanding animal welfare and reasons why we should not support animal shows.
What is animal
Why we should not
Eco-friendly Bag
welfare?
support animal shows
Design Competition
Animal welfare concerns the feelings and well-being of animals.
Animal shows seem to be appealing, but the animals that are used in entertainment suffer a lot of human exploitation. Animals are put in small cages and kept in poor conditions. They are often starved and punished if they don’t follow orders from trainers.
Also over the summer, our Bag Design Competition was successfully completed. Once again we would like to express our gratitude to all the students who took part. We are going to hold an exhibition showcasing the excellent work from the students this coming October. I hope all of you can show your support in appreciating our students’ wonderful work and at the same time raise awareness of animal welfare issues!
As a responsible owner, we should provide our pets with not only the basic needs of the right diet, a sustainable living environment and medical healthcare, we should also make sure they can express their natural behaviours. In order to keep our pets happy and calm, as owners we should provide them with a safe home to stay in and toys to play with.
Animals, like the tiger, lion or even dolphin, should be living in their own habitat and not confined in a human environment. Saying NO to animal shows is a way to protect animals. We would like to invite parents and children not to support any animal shows or performances especially when you are travelling or on holidays.
28 . Issue 101
Thoughts for the day:
What is animal welfare? How can you co ntribute to protecting animals?
Spot the difference
Cool walks for dogs!
Answer:
Ci Ci Poodle
Bor bor Mixed-breed Yorkshire Terrier
Gender: Female Character: Energetic and curious Interest: Eating and running
Gender: Male Character: Gentle, comparatively passive, a little stubborn Interest: Eating
Issue 101 . 29
Our Welfare Work in Numbers (January – March 2016) Homing figures Dogs Cats Others Total number of animals Desexing figures Total number of animals
155 191 184 530
3,318
Name and sponsor a Kennel or Cattery
Released or referred to outside agencies Number of exotic or indigenous species 1 Sent to foster care Dogs 43 Cats 59 Others 31 Total number of animals 133 Cat Colony Care Programme Number of cats handled 1,007
Inspectorate Emergency calls 6,880 Rescues 374 Complaints of cruelty investigated 192 Animal trading inspections 338 Advice given 40 Pawprint Ad 1/4 page spec Warnings given 11 Trim size: 142.5mm(h) x 105mm(w) 9 Prosecutions instigated SPCA_goodbyedear.pdf 1 7/1/2016 23:30:07 Bleed size: 148.5mm(h) x 111mm(w) File format : 300 dpi JPG / PDF����
一站式寵物善終服務 •
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A wonderful opportunity for individuals, families, community groups and companies to support the animals in our care. A plaque with a name assigned by the donor will be attached to the front of the kennel or cattery. Your sponsorship will help animals temporarily sheltered at the SPCA to enjoy much-needed warmth, security and love before finding a permanent family.
Enquiries: 2593 5451
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Issue 101 . 31
N E W
P R O D U C T S
Retail Area New Look! Our bigger and better retail area offers you the best place to choose good products for your pets.
Skin, Coat & Allergy Care Oil for Dogs and Cats All Natural Ingredients • nourishes skin and coat • alleviates inflammatory diseases including atopy • alleviates osteoarthritis • boosts immune system • reduces cardiovascular disease, heart and kidney diseases • lessens symptoms of asthma • improves cognitive functions
Present original coupon on any purchase of Skin, Coat & Allergy Care Oil products at SPCA clinics and enjoy this discount!
Offer valid until 31/10/2016
HK$20 OFF Terms & Conditions - Coupon can be used once and only in SPCA stores. - Only one coupon per purchase. - No photocopies accepted. - In any dispute, the SPCA reserves the right to the final decision.
SALMON4PETS Freeze Dried Pet Treats 100% wild caught deep sea fish Full of Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA+EPA), which help improve the condition of your pet’s heart, brain, eyes, skin & coat.
Lite Guardian GPS Pet Tracker Helps Prevent Your Pet From Getting Lost • Real-Time Tracking to instantly locate your pet • Track history (up to 30 days) • Geo-fence with alert sent when pet exits the pre-set zone • Alert when battery level falls below 10%
General Enquiries
www.spca.org.hk
2802 0501
spcahkeng
24-hour Animal Rescue Hotline 2711 1000
Our Centres
Hong Kong Centre (Headquarters) 5 Wan Shing Street, Wanchai 2802 0501 Barking Lot (Stanley Adoption Centre) 14 Stanley Main Street, Stanley Market 2164 8382 Kowloon Centre 105 Princess Margaret Road, Ho Man Tin 2713 9104 Mongkok Adopt-a-Pet Centre 2D, G/F, 6 Peace Avenue, Mongkok 2714 1000 Cheung Chau Clinic CX277 Tung Wan, Cheung Chau 2981 4176 Sai Kung Clinic 7 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung 2792 1535
Veterinary Services
Membership Services
Hong Kong Centre (Headquarters) Kowloon Centre Cheung Chau Clinic Sai Kung Centre Hang Hau Clinic Mui Wo Clinic Yuen Long Fairview Centre 2802 0501 / 2802 3003
Enquiries on membership status, benefits and activities 2232 5548
Mobile Clinic Serving Tung Chung, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun and Shatin 2802 0501 / 2713 9104
Donations
Adoption Services
Hong Kong Centre (Headquarters) Barking Lot (Stanley Adoption Centre) Kowloon Centre Mongkok Adopt-a-Pet Centre Sai Kung Adopt-a-Pet Centre 2232 5529
Spaying and Neutering
Members’ Concierge Services General enquiries and information on pet import, export, cremation and licensing 2232 5509
2232 5536 or use this QR code Animal Sponsorship Programme A monthly donation programme that supports our adoption animals 2232 5510
Other Services
Lost and Found Animals
Behaviour and Training Courses for Dogs 2232 5567
Sai Kung Adopt-a-Pet Centre 65 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung 2232 5599
Animal Welfare Vehicle Mobile vehicle providing low-cost desexing to target areas and clients 2232 5513
Hang Hau Clinic Flat B, 2/F, Block 5, Hang Hau Village, Tseung Kwan O 2243 0080
Spay/Neuter Assistance Programme 2232 5549
Pet Wellness
Cat Colony Care Programme (CCCP) 2232 5513
Volunteer Coordination
Mui Wo Clinic Shop 14, Mui Wo Centre, Lantau Island 2984 0060 Fairview Park Centre G/F , DD104 , LOT3250 , B81 , Fairview Park Boulevard, Yuen Long 2482 2770 SPCA Welfare Desexing Centre Fairview Park Main Road L3250 B8RP, San Tin, Yuen Long 2593 5438
Community Dog Programme (CDP) 2232 5511
China Outreach Programme
Providing assistance to animal welfare agencies and veterinary surgeons in China through education and advice 2232 5555
Education
Education talk enquiries and arrangement 2232 5541 / 2232 5526
SPCA (HK) would like to acknowledge the generous support of Hill’s Science Diet® and Hill’s Prescription Diet® products in providing food for the dogs and cats in homing.
Animal Rescue and Report of Cruelty 2711 1000
2232 5553
Pet Boarding 2232 5501 Pet Grooming 2232 5532 2802 0501
Volunteering
2232 5508
Foster Parent Programme 2232 5524 Pawprint is available in English and Chinese. Members wishing to change their language preference for Pawprint should contact the Membership Department at 2232 5548 or debbie.tam@spca.hk. Pawprint is published by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) in February, May and August. ADVERTISING To place an advertisement, please contact Vivian Chiu at vivian.chiu@spca.hk. SUBSCRIPTION Schools or institutions which are interested in subscribing to Pawprint are invited to contact Vivian Chiu at vivian.chiu@spca.hk. ©2016 Copyright reserved by SPCA (HK) Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong). Website: www.spca.org.hk
Issue 101 . 33
“I’m ready for a new life!” For Details On Adopting:
Hotline:
www.spca.org.hk
2232 5529
Adopt ME !