A Catastrophic Emergency
Rescuing 35 Sick Cats in Just Three Days
Back in September 2024, the inspectors experienced the strangest case of cat abandonment, with a total of 35 cats dumped at remote locations in Sai Kung across three consecutive days.
On day one, the inspectors received an anonymous tip that some cats were dumped near a rubbish collection point on Luk Mei Tsuen Road, in the early hours of 25 September 2024. Upon arrival, the inspectors found 14 purebred cats confined in seven carriers.
As this was a suspected case of animal abuse, the police were also called to the scene. It was around 4am, before our inspectors were able to depart the scene and bring the cats back to the Tsing Yi Centre for a health check, where it was discovered that a majority of these cats had skin problems and displayed symptoms of cat flu.
The following day, the inspectors received yet another call in the early hours of 26 September 2024 about cat abandonment in Sai Kung.
This time, they were called out to metered parking spaces near a fisherman’s village in Sai Kung, where they discovered a similar M.O: 13 purebred cats crammed into seven carriers. Most of them had a normal body condition, though some also appeared to display symptoms of cat flu.
This time, the inspectors departed the scene at 5:48am, where they drove the new cluster of cats to the Tsing Yi Centre for health checks and treatment.
With 27 new cats under the SPCA’s care, the SPCA’s veterinary welfare team had their hands full, and the inspectors thought the worst was over.
Lo and behold, around 4am the following morning, the inspectors received yet another call. This time, eight cats were founded dumped in carriers, just outside some public toilets off Hiram’s Highway in Sai Kung.
Before
After
Again, most were purebred cats, displaying cat flu symptoms and/or fungal skin disease .
As most were purebred cats and were found to be suffering from some sort of ailment, it was suspected that these cats were formerly used for a commercial purpose likely for breedin g or use in a pet cafe, and were neglected and discarded when they fell ill and were no longer of any use.
A cruel reality of the pet trade, and a strong reminder why it is important to not support pet shops or purchase from online sources.
Of these 35 cats, the SPCA took in 27, whilst the AFCD took in eight.
As these cats needed to be kept as evidence until the case could be seen in court, they were not able to be put up for adoption immediately.
Seven of these cats unfortunately succumbed to complications from their health issues – six of which passed before the case investigation could be closed. The case was curtailed in January 2025, as no suspect could be identified, and thus no legal action could be taken against the parties that used and abused the cats.
Despite the injustice, the silver lining was that the 20 remaining cats under the SPCA’s care, managed to go on to find loving homes over the following few months.
But it was not without a lot of treatment, medical attention, rehabilitation and loving care from the SPCA’s Welfare, Veterinary and Homing staff.
We would like to remind everyone interested in seeking a companion animal, to adopt and not shop.
Many animals you see in pet cafes, pet shops or online stores come from unknown sources, and their welfare is often questionable. By attending these cafes or buying companion animals from these sources, you could be supporting animal abuse.
If you suspect animal cruelty or see an animal in distress,
please call our 24-hour rescue hotline: 2711 1000
Our rescue services are free of charge.
If you’d like to help the support the SPCA continue their animal rescue work
