[shantalent]

Hello,
We are moving to HK in January and wondering how easy it is to buy a dog in HK? We are looking for a lab, so not too sure.

We also wondered what the costs are like and any advice if possible.

We are debating on whether or not to buy a dog before we go or get one there.

Thanks!

[carang]

pls DON'T buy a puppy...the SPCA has so many beautiful dogs and puppies in dire need of homes! the breeders and pet shops in HK are notoriously awful when it comes to the animal trade. sick animals, supposedly pure breds not actually pure bred just to name a few problems....

[prashanthbk]

Well i do not agree to what Carang is saying. I got a kitten from Mong Kok when i got here and she is perfectly fineand pure exotice breed. All they need is regular vet care ad walking (for Dogs) and treate them good and nice. All u need is to hav a local friend for you to negosiate the price. If they find you are not local they might price a crow for a million bucks...

[carang]

sorry, but we take care of dogs for a living so we have talked to literally HUNDREDS of people about their HK acquired dogs, both rescue/SPCA dogs AND pet shop dogs. i'm only passing on what i have heard from MANY, MANY people in hk. the pet shops are NOTORIOUS for their care of animals and for poor state of health of many of the animals they sell.

many of the puppies come from puppy farms and are only around to make a profit!

yes, there may be some places that are slightly better than other places, but i would NEVER buy an animal from a shop that smelled bad. i have yet to visit a pet shop in HK that doesn't stink to high heaven!

[grandcider]

I have to agree that pet shops in HK generally have a very bad reputation. Most of the pets purchased from them will turn out fine but far too many develop health problems, reflecting the poor standard of care. There might be some decent shops somewhere, but you only have to walk past all the stores with puppies crammed into window cubicles to know that the animal's welfare isn't a priority. The SPCA, the consumer council or someone should launch an ad campaign discouraging people from patronizing these shops. Sitting in the waiting room at the vet, I have seen kids crying hysterically because their puppy (howling in pain from canine distemper) was put to sleep. The vet told me afterwards that it was an all-too-familiar experience of a puppy purchased from a random pet shop in causeway bay. Another time, someone in the waiting room had brought a newly purchased puppy in for a checkup/vaccinations. I could hear the vet telling the owner that he had seen the same puppy two weeks earlier. It had been returned and sold again, without the new owner being informed of its history. Please consider adopting a dog from the SPCA or one of the other animal charities. If you really must have a specific breed, do your research and find a reputable breeder.

[Expatriate]

Originally Posted by shantalent

Hello,
We are moving to HK in January and wondering how easy it is to buy a dog in HK? We are looking for a lab, so not too sure.

We also wondered what the costs are like and any advice if possible.

We are debating on whether or not to buy a dog before we go or get one there.

Thanks!

The main issue in Hong Kong is space.

If the dog doesn't have enough space it will create lots of noise. Chinese people like to keep their dog in cages that are slightly larger than the dog itself.

I mean, a dog should have a garden to run about. Anything less than 500sqm garden is animal cruelty.

And here we are at the costs ...

[grandcider]

Originally Posted by Expatriate

Anything less than 500sqm garden is animal cruelty.

This is quite an extreme statement. I guess I am guilty of animal cruelty then, as I don't have a 500sqm garden. Though my dog seems perfectly happy and healthy living in a 1000sq ft apartment, with regular walks and exercise.

[JaredHK]

I totally agree with Carang. I own 5 dogs and all from the SPCA.

Had some sad experiences with Pet Shop puppies where they died a painful death caused by Parvo (Parvovirus) a week after I took them home. This is common in pet shop pups and the dogs start by throwing up and eventually bleed to death internally.

Go with the SPCA or the other Animal Rescue places.

[nina_70]

Someone mentioned HK Dog Rescue in another post. Like SPCA, they are another great organization and a good place to buy a dog. Here's the 2 links...
http://www.spca.org.hk/home.htm
http://www.hongkongdogrescue.com

[nataliechen]

Hi there!

I used to live with a friend in Australia, and we have both moved back by now. My friend used to own a Cocker Spaniel, and it is now living with our neighbour in Australia temporarily. In fact, my friend is now giving the dog up for a number of reasons, and my personal circumstances do not allow me to take care of the dog either. But I love the dog very much, and so I would like to see if anyone in Hong Kong is interested in adopting it.

The cocker spaniel is 4 year old now. He was born and grew up in Australia, and has been attending training school for some time. He is pretty quiet, and would become very active when you play with him. He has had all his needles, is microchipped, and would be transported from Australia to your door for free if you can provide him a good home. The only thing that I ask for is to be able to visit him from time to time.

Please reply if you are interested.

Regards,
A sad friend of the cocker spaniel