The SPCA believes that TNR is one important way to help address the problem of dog overpopulation. This method targets unowned, roaming (stray and feral) animal populations in a humane and effective way, using an animal birth control programme. This is a proactive approach: targeting part of the dog population that is often dealt with in an inhumane and ineffective manner.
For many years, the Hong Kong Government has effectively practiced a reactive policy of dog population control by catching and killing dogs only in response to complaints, with limited numbers of animals being re-homed.
In many countries in Asia and the Americas, dog TNR is used not only as a means to limit the population but also to control rabies (anti-rabies vaccination is given to each dog). As rabies continues to be endemic in China, desexing and vaccinating all dogs can help keep Hong Kong rabies free. Often, TNR for dogs is referred to as CNVR (Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return).
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To date the majority of studies on TNR have been done on cat population control but there have been several studies on TNR for dogs. Learn more about scientific studies regarding TNR on cats here.
Dog TNR has been done in developing countries as a means to control rabies as vaccinating, sterilising and returning dogs to the original area prevents new, unvaccinated dogs from moving in.
Given sufficient community and government support, many areas in the world have witnessed a drop in rabies related deaths. In addition to finding a reduction in rabies deaths and dog bites, some studies that have also noted population decrease and improved welfare for the dogs. Some examples include:
Jaipur, India
Over 10 years, 68% of dogs in the population were sterilised and a population reduction of 28% of dogs.
Abacos, Bahamas
An estimated 70-75% fewer dogs were seen roaming the streets after TNR
The number of roadkills declined significantly
Fewer litters of puppies and pregnant dogs were observed.
Bali, Indonesia
Populations of dogs in targeted villages were reduced by over half when 75% of dogs were sterilised.
Source: An overview of TNR programmes for dogs in developing countries:Jackman, J. and A. Rowan. (2007). “Free-Roaming Dogs in Developing Countries: The Public Health and Animal Welfare Benefits of Capture, Neuter, and Return Programs.” In State of the Animals 2007, eds. Deborah Salem and Andrew Rowan. Washington, D.C.: Humane Society Press.
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The SPCA has been lobbying to implement dog TNR in Hong Kong for many years. The goal is to identify a trial area that has a problem with dog over-population and to assist the general community and other agencies in reducing and hopefully eliminating the problem. This is a holistic approach that needs community approval and active participation in order to succeed and should address all populations of dogs within the trial area.
Owned dogs will also be targeted through a community education campaign advising the owners on control of their pets, licensing requirements, relevant codes of conduct as well as the effect of indiscriminate breeding. The aim is to have a well-controlled, legal population of responsibly owned dogs that do not contribute to the stray or feral dog population or cause a nuisance.
TNR is a long term undertaking that requires sustained community support for continued success. We hope that Hong Kong people will support the trial to evaluate the suitability of TNR for dogs in Hong Kong, and play their part to stop animal overpopulation, improve dog welfare and reduce related nuisances.
In 2015, SPCA finally obtained approval to conduct a Government approved Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Trial in Islands District.
The trial is 3 years.
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TheAgriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), SPCA HK and the Society for Abandoned Animals (SAA). An independent consultant will also be hired by the government to set up a population assessment methodology before the trial. AFCD will oversee the trial.
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The SPCA is convinced that TNR methodology can be applied effectively to dogs in Hong Kong and should be available as one of the dog management techniques. However, there are often unique local factors that can impact and influence the programme in various ways. These need to be understood and issues avoided or resolved.
Currently, the legislation and related government policy in HK does not allow for dog TNR as a means of roaming dog management.
As part of their responsibility towards veterinary public health under various pieces of legislation, AFCD (and the Health and Food Bureau) wants to be satisfied that TNR has a positive impact in terms of dog management and veterinary public health, before this is adopted on a wider scale (or at least the status quo is maintained).
Thus, the trial period is part of their assessment. The trial is important so we can evaluate any unintended consequences that might result and refine our methodology for maximum impact in the Hong Kong scenario.
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Cats are not subjected to the same legal restrictions as dogs. Even though the dogs in the trial are not owned, legal exemptions must be obtained for the various parties involved as there are currently laws against abandonment and dogs over 20kg must be kept under control.
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Results from the trial site will be compared with a similar control site in terms of:
The trial site and a control site in a similar district will be evaluated after 1.5 years and 2.5 years.
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With TNR there will be a time lag before any effect might be detected. We expect a change in dog population after 12 - 18 months, unlike “catch and kill”, where there is a immediate short term drop in population. However, after “catch and kill”, the population rebounds and increases over time.
One of the criteria AFCD is using to assess the programme is to compare TNR to the current methodology of catching and killing dogs, in terms of population control. With former method there is obviously a time-lag before the population decreases, whereas the latter sees an immediate effect.
The trial will be evaluated regularly, taking into consideration different types of environments and dog ecology. We also need time to monitor and collect data on survival rates, health and welfare of returned dogs and related nuisances and complaints.
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In 2015, SPCA finally obtained approval to conduct a Government approved Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Trial in Islands District. The Society for Abandoned Animals was given approval to carry out a trial in Yuen Long District.
Many people approach the SPCA's Community Dog Programme as they would like to reduce the number of dogs in their area but need assistance. Some have spent many years rehoming the puppies born but find that this is not a long term solution. We have also met many interested carers, visited many suitable potential sites and proposed a number of sites.
We propose possible trial locations based on several factors, including:
A baseline population survey will be done by the independent consultant before the trial starts. In parallel, the initial dog population will be confirmed by the Animal Welfare Organisations (and the carer).
All dogs in the trial will be recorded and photographed and their details kept on record. Abandoned dogs will be removed and not considered part of the trial. If a dog is found to be owned, it will be returned to its owner and not be counted as part of the trial.
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All complaints will be evaluated on a case by case basis, in discussion with the programme operators, SPCA and SAA with AFCD. However, dog bite cases will continue to be handled by the AFCD due to public health concerns.
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Unowned stray and feral dogs are often very hard to catch. Working with carers, we aim to use the least negative methods– some methods considered are leashing, baiting, trapping, catchpoles and darting. As far as possible, methods that require minimal intervention and that result in the least amount of stress will be used.
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The behavioural assessment relies heavily on information from carers, also from our trainers and behaviourists, vet assistants and vets who will assess the suitability for return. Fear aggression is not a reason not to return.
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After surgery, the dogs will be monitored for at least 24 hours by SPCA staff but this might vary on a case by case basis. A minimally invasive desexing method will be used to reduce the amount of hospital time as prolonged stay in hospital can also be very stressful for these dogs.
Carers will continue to feed and monitor returned dogs and report any problems that might require follow up.
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With new modern techniques, dogs up to 2 weeks old can be neutered. However, puppies usually come out into the open at 8 weeks and can be desexed after that age.
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Returning the dogs to the area will avoid the "vacuum effect". After dogs are removed, the remaining number of dogs will increase again until there are insufficient resources to support the increase. Dogs that are not caught will continue breeding (the breeding rate often increases as does offspring survival) and new dogs will be attracted to the area since there are now resources (e.g. food, shelter, mates) available to them.
When there is not enough food in an area, dogs will start fighting for resources. Some might be forced to leave or might be killed by other dogs. Where there has been increased reproduction, more puppies will die later from malnutrition or aggression from other dogs. With insufficient food, many dogs become susceptible to disease and die.
By having a stable population of desexed dogs, breeding behaviour such as fighting, barking and the production of more puppies, is stopped. The goal is to have a stable, healthy population of dogs that will gradually reduce naturally with time.
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Adoption is not easy for any dog in Hong Kong. There are about 9000 “surplus” dogs a year abandoned, surrendered or caught by animal management teams. Homes for dogs are limited as there is stiff competition for these homes from the pedigree dogs supplied by the pet trade. Though the number of people owning dogs in Hong Kong is increasing, the overwhelming preference is still for small, pedigree dogs as living space in Hong Kong is limited and not suited to larger dogs.
Many of these unowned roaming dogs are also not suitable for adoption. These dogs typically tend to be unsocialised, medium-sized mongrels that have spent most of their lives avoiding humans, living as a wild animal. Prolonged contact with humans can be a very stressful experience for them, something which many do not fully adjust to.
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Moving dogs from one location to another merely creates a whole new problem without addressing the root cause. Large numbers of dogs kept in close contact, in a limited area, will result in psychological stress and aggression related to normal pack behaviours, as well as an increased risk of disease and death. This will mean great suffering for all the dogs, especially for those that have lived freely for most of their lives.
Aside from welfare concerns, the cost of “warehousing” dogs is high and will only continue to increase as more dogs are added. Removing the dogs and placing them elsewhere is effectively harvesting the dogs. A large number of dogs are left behind and will continue to create noise and hygiene problems for the residents in the area.
The only long term, effective and humane solution is to stop the reproduction of existing populations of dogs through de-sexing and enforcement of responsible pet ownership. Presently, only 55.9% of pet dogs are desexed in Hong Kong.
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The dogs are already being fed by various people. There will be no increase in the amount of food resources in an area. It is not our goal to increase the number of dogs. We are tackling a problem that already exists, using behaviours that already exist.
By working with the exisiting feeders, we can help the be part of the solution rather than contributing to an ongoing problem of unregulated feeding. Feeding can be better controlled and targeted.
We will also be locating and evaluating the existing sources of freely available food such as other feeders and rubbish, and will work with the community and relevant government departments to reduce and eliminate these. Our goal is to manage and gradually reduce food resources of unowned dogs. As the population falls, fewer dogs can be supported within the environment. This will also discourage immigration of other dogs.
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Humans have empathy and the human-dog bond is strong. Many people feed dogs as they want to help them, as these dogs are usually very thin and hungry. Often, people do not realise that if they feed undesexed dogs, they boost the reproduction rate, resulting in more puppies born and eventually, more thin, hungry dogs on the street. Without TNR, the number of dogs will keep increasing and unregulated feeding will continue.
With a TNR trial, the number of dogs should drop, as should related nuisances. Complaints should reduce and the welfare of existing dogs should improve. Residents will see that the dogs in the community are being looked after and will no longer feel the need to give additional food.
The SPCA would like to remind the public that though feeding dogs is not against the law, leftover food and rubbish is an environmental hygiene issue and can be considered littering. Offenders can be subject to a fine of HK$1,500 under Hong Kong law.
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Hong Kong already has a high rate of pet abandonment. Annually, 30% of dogs that are euthanised by AFCD are surrendered pets. Abandonment is caused by irresponsible human behaviour and already occurs all over Hong Kong. This results in an increase in the number of unowned, roaming dogs when they are released into the wild or simply left behind when their owners move.
All unowned, roaming dogs in the trial area will be recorded and photographed. Abandoned or roaming owned dogs will not be considered part of the trial and will be removed. Ownership will be assessed based in part on local knowledge of owned dogs, microchip presence and other identification such as collar/tag.
Within the TNR trial, the unowned, roaming dogs will be monitored by AFCD, SPCA, volunteer carers and an independent consultant hired by AFCD.
Abandonment of dogs in an area will mean that more dogs will fight for the same resources. Where abandonment has been observed by the volunteer carers, the abandoned pet dogs have struggled to survive. Abandoned dogs lack the survival skills and social ties to existing dogs and may be attacked and driven out by the existing dogs (they can even be killed).
With the programme operating and vigilant volunteer carers on the ground, if abandonment does occur, the poor pet dogs are more likely to be rescued and removed for re-homing.
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Our Inspectorate Investigates
Call SPCA 24-hour Hotline 
2711 1000
Wherever you live in Hong Kong, please write in to voice your support. TNR should be applicable at many suitable locations across Hong Kong.
If you are caring for a group of loosely owned dogs, SPCA may be able to help desex them. Please contact the Community Dog Programme Coordinator on 2232 5511, or email
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The SPCA operates adoptions centres and veterinary facilities in many districts throughout Hong Kong.
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