Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ9: Animal re-homing service
Following is a question by the Hon Fred Li and a written reply by the Secretary
for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (February
11):
Question:
I have recently received complaints from some members of the public, who planned
to adopt cats and dogs kept by the animal management centres under the
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), that while undergoing
the relevant adoption procedure, AFCD had euthanised the animals concerned
without prior notice. In this connection, will the Government inform this
Council:
(a) of the time normally taken by members of the public to complete the
procedure for adopting the cats and dogs kept by the animal management centres;
(b) what reasons AFCD usually adopts in deciding to euthanise cats or dogs kept
by the animal management centres, and what procedure it follows in making such
decisions; of the current mechanism for reviewing such decisions and monitoring
the euthanasia procedure;
(c) whether it will, before euthanising the cats and dogs, inform those people
who are undergoing the procedure for adopting the animals concerned; if it will,
what channels are available for members of the public to raise objections
against the decisions to euthanise the animals concerned; if not, the reasons
for that; and
(d) whether it will give up euthanasia as the major method to deal with
abandoned or stray cats and dogs, and expeditiously switch to using the method
of trapping, neutering and returning such animals to original colony; if it
will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(a) At present, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD)
collaborates with several animal welfare organisations in providing animal
re-homing service. People who are interested in adopting animals can make
adoption arrangements through these animal welfare organisations, information of
which have been uploaded onto AFCD's website.
AFCD will not arrange re-homing immediately, as it is necessary for AFCD to
ensure that a stray animal kept by the department will not be reclaimed by its
owners after it has been caught or received. While attempting to contact the
animal owners and during the waiting period, AFCD will examine the animals, and
in parallel, assess if the health condition and the temperament of the animals
make them suitable for re-homing. Generally speaking, AFCD will accept re-homing
applications from animal welfare organisations on the fourth working day after
the stray animals were caught or received. Animals selected by animal welfare
organisations must be de-sexed, vaccinated and implanted with microchip if they
are dogs, and in turn issued with operation/vaccination certificates by
veterinary surgeons. Afterwards, they may be collected from AFCD's Animal
Management Centres (AMCs) by the relevant animal welfare organisations for
re-homing.
People who are interested in adopting animals may contact the animal welfare
organisations which are in collaboration with AFCD for re-homing arrangements,
and the procedures needed are decided by these organisations.
(b) As mentioned in part (a) of the reply, stray animals caught or received by
AFCD will normally be kept in AFCD's AMCs for observation. During the
observation period, veterinary surgeons on duty will closely monitor the
animals' health and other conditions to ensure their suitability for re-homing.
Only animals which are acutely sick, assessed to be unsuitable for re-homing due
to health or temperament reasons, or could not be re-homed by animal welfare
organisations will be euthanised. All euthanasia operations are conducted by
AFCD veterinary officers.
(c) If a member of the public has written to the relevant AMC to indicate
his/her intention to adopt an animal which is to be euthanised, AFCD will notify
the relevant individual of the decision and reasons to euthanise in advance if
time permits. People who object to euthanising the animals they wish to adopt
may express their views to AFCD. AFCD will examine in detail each and every case
to ensure that only animals not suitable for re-homing are euthanised.
(d) We believe that enhancing public awareness on well-treating animals is the
most effective solution to the problem of abandoned and stray animals. In this
connection, AFCD has been stepping up education and bringing home the message of
responsible pet ownership through different channels and at various levels,
including Announcements of Public Interest on television and radio and posters
on public transport to promote care for animals. In addition, AFCD produces
promotional leaflets, posters and souvenirs for free distribution to the public
and organises promotional activities to enhance publicity.
In 2007, AFCD, in collaboration with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals, consulted the 18 District Councils (DCs) on the "Trap-Neuter-Return"
programme. DCs have differing views; half of the DCs consulted supported the
implementation of the programme in their districts, while seven expressed
objection and two made no indication. At present, AFCD is actively discussing
with animal welfare organisations regarding the feasibility of the programme and
the legal liabilities concerned. Upon working out the implementation details,
AFCD will assist the relevant animal welfare organisations to put in place a
trial programme as soon as possible after the relevant DC is consulted.
Ends/Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:15
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