The Human-Animal Bond: A Bond Like No Other
The bond between humans and animals has long been celebrated for its ability to heal, comfort, and inspire, and there are a number of ways to experience this transformative bond first-hand.
We look at the stories of six individuals who have been inspired by their connection with animals and have chosen to embark on a journey filled with purpose and a deep sense of fulfilment as they contribute to the well-being of companions in need.
Shot by IG: @jouse_photographer
Yau Man Kit (or Kit)
Vehicle Technician & Volunteer
Kit had been feeding over 30 unowned cats in his village for five years before learning about the SPCA’s Cat Colony Care Programme (CCCP) and officially signing on as a volunteer in 2023.
Developing trust with a stray cat can take time, sometimes months. However, contrary to popular belief, unowned cats won’t just appear when it is feeding time and disappear once they have had their meal. The cats in Kit’s village would sleep in the loft of his workshop, where they stored their uniforms and car parts, and sometimes watch him work and approach him to ask for pets.
“[Caring for these cats] motivates me to go to work every day. It also feels great when the cats accept me. By feeding them, I gradually earned their trust and I know they need me.”
“I know from the bottom of my heart that street cats [without help or proper care] lead a tough life, and it is easy for them to get sick. They must fend for themselves. Longevity is hardly their fate. They may die easily, but it’s not something I want to get used to. That’s why I’m still here for them.”
During the shooting of our front cover, which features Kit and one of the stray cats in his village, Mui Mui, you can tell that Kit has a strong bond with these cats, and that bond is reciprocated. However, two weeks after the shoot, Mui Mui passed away from a suspected poisoning.
“It feels like losing a family member” Kit laments.
Despite this, Kit would not change a thing.
Kit shares that his life was “kind of boring” before he became a volunteer. Since taking on the role of caring for these cats, he has become more active and has more topics to talk about with friends and family. He has also started trying to find adoptive families for the young kittens he finds and has five cats at home himself.
Even though doing all this volunteer work on top of his job can sometimes be exhausting or frustrating – especially when an adoptive family falls through, or a cat is returned – the feeling Kit has knowing he has helped a cat or found a kitten an adoptive family far outweighs any pain or hardship.
Imogen Dean and Cardeux Nel
Speech-Language therapist and Physiotherapist, Foster Parents
Expatriates, Imogen and her partner, Cardeux, get their “dose” of animals by fostering for the SPCA.
“We are both big animal lovers but are not in a position to own any pets right now.”
The couple started fostering in 2018 after several people suggested they would be good at it and have since taken in around 53 cats and kittens and counting.
Although fostering does come with some challenges, the benefits far outweigh the cons. Knowing that you are always going to come home to love, watching your fosters grow in confidence and eventually seeing them go on to loving families are just some of the rewards. Not to mention, “the snuggles and purrs, which have been scientifically shown to reduce anxiety and boost mental health [in humans]!” Cardeux adds.
When asked what tips they would share with others who are considering becoming foster parents, Imogen says “You should definitely do it. If you are going to foster cats, two really is easier than one! One cat can get bored, leading to mischief. With two, they keep each other happy and busy when you are not available”.
Cardeux adds “One of the benefits of being a foster parent is that you don’t need to be ready to make a lifelong decision or do it by yourself. You can learn as you go, and the SPCA are always there to support you.”
“Many people consider fostering animals with the thought that they will be helping the animal, but what they realise along the way is how much their fosters actually help them. Our fosters have changed our lives forever.”
– Cardeux
Imogen
Cardeux
Maggie with her dog Tofu
Maggie Chiu
Creative Director of Messy Jam & SPCA Adopter
If you ever ran into Maggie on the street, you would have never guessed that she has over 19 companion animals at home – four tortoises, two turtles, four lovebirds, five budgies, one dog (named Tofu), one gecko, two frogs and a few tanks of fish – most of which she adopted from the SPCA.
Although small animals are not considered as “conventional” as dogs or cats to some, Maggie’s pets provide her with a great deal of companionship and routine throughout her day. “My birds always start tweeting at 6:30 am and my dog, Tofu, wakes at 7 am. He will sniff the cage and greet the birds. My torts wake at around 8 am and start walking around my home, at which point the birds will start to tweet again… My gecko, turtles, and fish will come towards me in their tank every morning. And the torts will come out and stay next to me when I call their name.”
Maggie occasionally brings her pets to her art studio, where she hosts art workshops for kids. The animals are a great way to break the ice.
“We occasionally have some special needs kids who visit,
and the torts (Messy and Jamie) always calm them as they are friendly and mellow.”
Although often overlooked in this concept, smaller pets can be great companion animals for those looking to experience the human-animal bond. Before getting any pet, though, Maggie stresses, “Just be sure to do your research and be prepared before you decide to adopt. Make sure that you have the time and space to care for them. Each species has its own needs, so think twice before you bring home a life.”
Genevieve with her nephews and nieces alongside one of the Snowy Rescue Vans, and her dog Pip, adopted from the SPCA
Mrs. Wu & Ms. Genevieve Pan
Aunt & Niece, SPCA Donors
Mrs. Wu and her late husband, Mr. Wu started the Albert Wu Charitable Trust to support non-profit organisations across Hong Kong and China. Although they did not have any children, they treated their first dog, Bo Bo, like a family member.
Their love for Bo Bo was the driving force behind their desire to support animal welfare in Hong Kong, and the trust donated towards the SPCA’s animal welfare initiatives, as well as improving the equipment and facilities of the veterinary services at the SPCA’s Wan Chai Centre. They also set up the ‘Bo Bo Wu Animal Welfare Fund’ [in 2003] to provide veterinary care to owners of companion animals who could not otherwise afford it. Mrs. Wu, along with her sister Ms. Foong has since gone on to donate towards the renovation of the Wan Chai hospital.
The desire to give back to animals in need runs in the family, as Mr. Wu’s niece, Ms. Genevieve Pan is also a long-time donor.
“My uncle invited me to join his lunch with the then-SPCA head to learn more about what the SPCA does… I still remember learning about the Cinderella Fund and the Inspectorate. I also found out that 99% of the SPCA is funded by public donations, so it’s reliant on Hong Konger’s support.”
The Pan family has donated three rescue vans to the Inspectorate over the years, most recently adding a fourth to the fleet.
The rescue vans are named after her first dog, Snowy, with whom they all had a strong bond.
Snowy’s favourite pastime was riding in cars with his head poking out of the windows. It therefore seemed very fitting to Ms. Pan to donate rescue vans to the SPCA to honour her first dog, saying “It is a very happy moment for us to see Snowy dashing all over Hong Kong on his missions.”
Mrs. Wu and Genevieve have since gone on to adopt more companion animals and continued to help other animals in need, through their charitable donations to the SPCA.
Mrs. Wu now has a white Pomeranian named Sweetie and most recently donated towards the renovation of the Sai Kung Adopt-A-Pet Centre, which reopened in June 2024 and now has the capacity to house both cats and dogs. Genevieve enjoys the company of her 12-year-old dog, Pip, and 13-year-old cat, Moggi, whom she says are a massive part of her life.
“They are more than just companions. They are my confidants, my friends, and my family.”
– Genevieve Pan
Snowy and Moggi
Mrs. Wu at the newly re-opened Sai Kung Adopt-a -pet Centre
Sweetie
Each of these individuals have chosen different ways to give back to companion animals in need, but one thing remains consistent: the connection we share with our animal companions is a source of immeasurable joy, comfort, and love, with the ability to transform not just one life, but two.
Each of us has the ability to experience this magical bond first-hand and give back to an animal shelter in some shape or form. We know from research that animals help the elderly age better by developing a routine, help humans exercise more, or help kids with special needs learn better.
In the age when everyone is looking for an answer to mental and physical wellness, perhaps we don’t need to look far. The answer lies at your local shelter, with the animals in need.
To learn how you can give back to animals in need and get involved, click here
