China while enjoying the economical boom is changing lifestyle of the people. Pet keeping is more affordable and has been always appreciated as a western style of living. The one child policy has left senior citizens to turn to companion animals for company and comfort. However, animal welfare legislation is not up to speed. Without the legislation to prevent cruelty to animals, dog and cat eating is not an offence with markets specializing in the sales of these animals brutally slaughtered and cruelly treated. The source of these animals also raised queries not to mention about the necessary quarantine that creates a whole chain of health issues. There is no legislation to empower the police to prosecute anyone who beat a dog to death publicly. Reluctance has forced some animal lovers to walk the fine line by taking law in their own hands.
With the increasing international awareness of animal welfare issues in China we receive many requests from our members and supporters; Chinese Animal Welfare organizations and a number of Chinese Government officials to provide guidance and assistance. These requests were considered and discussed at our strategic review in 2006 where the SPCA (HK) recognizes that we have both a responsibility and a role to play in China, after all HK is part of China. We have therefore decided that it is our duty to respond to these requests in a measured way. |
