Pets Deserve Dignity in Life and Death: Hong Kong and Macau Pet Owners Share Their Stories

Release date: 2024-09-08 09:17

Compassionate Pet Owners in Hong Kong and Macau

Guangdong

A Lifelong Commitment to Pets

Keeping a pet is a lifelong commitment, and pet owners hope that their pets will be given dignity when they pass away. Some owners also set up animal temporary care and adoption centers to continue their love and help other animals after their pets pass away.

Dicky’s Story: Providing a Home for Older Animals

Dicky, who has been engaged in the pet hospice industry for 16 years, often faces the grief of animals passing away. To cope with this, he decided to adopt older animals so that they can find a home in their lifetime and die with dignity even at the end of their lives.

“Although I have been in this industry for so long, every time it is my (pet), I actually feel bad. But I always tell myself that at this moment, it is actually the beginning of a new life. Now I have to do this for them, give them a good dignity, and let them go well.”

Carmen’s Story: Continuing Love After Loss

After the death of her beloved dog, pet owner Carmen donated the remaining items such as dog food to the shelter that temporarily cares for nearly 300 animals, hoping to bring blessings to other animals.

“Hong Kong should educate everyone to love animals. Many old dogs are abandoned by people. Abandoning them when they are old and sick is actually a very inhumane thing. What was your original intention? Why did you bring it home? It will not come to your home for no reason. You like it and bring it home. They only have you in their eyes.”

Ivy’s Story: Helping Displaced Animals Find a Home

Ivy, the person in charge of the animal shelter, set up a new cat adoption center at the beginning of this year, hoping to help displaced animals find a home. She also suggested that the government strengthen the regulation of abandoned pets.

“We have different types of animals in our center, 80% of which are abandoned. We have received many animals abandoned by breeding farms, so frankly speaking, if the government can regulate it more strictly, I am very supportive.”