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Please think twice before dumping me...

The Young Reporter (2005, April), 37(07), pp. 9.
Author: Maggie Cheung Mei-ngor. Editor: Scarlett Chinag Ching-man.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0015469

Maggie Cheung Mei-ngor

ANIMAL charity groups call for compassion on the part of pet owners and more donations from the public, as the number of abandoned animals stays persistently high.

According to Fan Wan-ching, the director of Society for Abandoned Animals (SAA), the problem of abandoning animals is “very serious in Hong Kong.

The main reason for people to abandon animals is that they would buy a pet as an impulsive act and regret the decision shortly alter.

Other reasons include small home space, no time to take care of the pets etc.

“When the animals are small and cute, people like them and bring them home,” said Miss Fan.

But when they grow up, the owners would lose interesting the pets. They feel it is troublesome to take care of their pets.”

Miss Fan added, “When there are changes in health concerns in society, people also tend to get rid of their pets. For instance, during the SARS period and the outbreak of bird flu, people are afraid that the animals would make them sick.”

After the Housing Authority has enforced its ban on public rental housing tenants of keeping animals, people seem to have become more aware of animal welfare. More animal lovers speak out their concerns over keeping their pets.

Because cats have a high breeding rate, the number of abandoned cats is the largest among no-longer wanted animals. But at the same time they are the most popular for adoption, according to Miss Fan.

King Cheung, a feline lover who has four cats at home, said he adopted a cat from SPCA because he wanted to help the unwanted animals.

He said the adoptee was just the same as his other cats. “If people think the abandoned animals are inferior to pets from pet shops, they are wrong,” he said.

My adopted cat is very energetic and it loves to be with me and my family members. It is more active than other cats. It likes jumping around in the house.”

Mr Cheung said that the adoptee got on with other cats well and was friendly to people.

Miss Fan pointed out that in recent years, a number of charity organizations like the Lamma Animal Protection and the Companion Animal Federation have been established to raise public concern for abandoned pets.

Ryan Wong, who loves dogs, said that he helps the animals by donating money to the charity organizations.

The SAA also does a lot of work to help raise public awareness on the issue. They have a sponsorship programme under which sponors donate money to help foster an animal they have chosen. The organization also holds fund-raising events such as selling raffle tickets and organizing walkathon’s three to four times a year.

Miss Fan said, “We sometimes hold some outdoor events during festivals. Last year, we showed the film ’ Quill’ (about a dog) because this film is related to our services.”

Another charity organization, Lok Hong Social Service Association, provides free neutering and adoption services. An association Spokesman said its services have saved over 4,000 animals since last year.

“Our staff are all volunteers. We even have premises for our daily operations. We get no funding form the government,” the spokesman complained.

Both the SAA and the Lok Hong Social Service Association stressed that donations from the public are vital to their operations.

Edited by Scarlett Chinag Ching-man

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