How well do you think you know the legal obligations in Hong Kong regarding to keeping a dog? Let’s find out now.

Licensing

All dogs over 5 months old are legally required to be licensed, microchipped for identification and vaccinated against rabies. Also, the license and rabies vaccination have to be renewed every 3 years.

Usually when you take your new dog to a clinic for the first body check and your dog is given rabies vaccination, your vet will go though the licensing procedure with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on your behalf. It usually takes a few months to have paperwork delivered from AFCD to the clinic and to you. What you may not know is that you have another option to do it directly with AFCD through one of the 4 AFCD Animal Management Centres (AMCs) and Inoculation Centres with addresses here and an enquiry hotline at 1832 with a total fee of HK$80 only! This is the most cost efficient way to get the procedure completed. No advanced booking required, but of course you should go only during their opening hours.

Proper control on behaviour in public

All dogs should be on leash in public places except country parks, dog parks and swimming pools. The current legislation suggests the length of leash not to exceed 2 meters for larger dogs weighted 20kg or over. And 1.5 meters for dogs categorised as fighting dogs. More frequently asked questions here.

You also need to be mindful of picking up after your dog. It is a public hygiene matter. Anyone found guilty of littering is liable for a fixed penalty fine of $1,500 which is strictly enforced by law.

Surrendering

Anyone found guilty of pet abandonment on the street can be fined up to $10,000 and jailed for up to 6 months according to cap 421 rabies ordinance. A pet is for life! he equivalent of a family member! Think long and hard the possible impact of such an act: leaving a pet who has no surviving skill on the street is the same as abandoning a crying baby. Surrendering to AFCD is like leaving your pet around 4 days to live if no one claims the dog.