Rescue Amidst Ruin
The SPCA’s Response to the Tai Po Fires
On Wednesday, 26 November 2025, a rampant fire broke out in the Wang Fuk Court housing estate of Tai Po, turning into one of the worst fires Hong Kong has seen in decades.
The five-alarm blaze, which took firefighters nearly two days to extinguish, engulfed seven of the eight housing estates, displacing more than 4,600 residents and impacting over 600 pets.
767 firefighters, 400 police officers, 128 fire engines and 57 ambulances were deployed to tackle the fires and assist with rescue operations, whilst many community members rallied to provide aid and donations to those affected.
As the situation unfolded, families anxiously awaited news of their loved ones, neighbours, and pets, praying for the safety of all.
The SPCA and many independent volunteers remained on site to help triage, treat and reunite pets with their owners. Whilst firefighters and police officers conducted their search and rescue efforts for survivors. In the following sections, we share firsthand accounts from SPCA staff who were on the ground during this tragic event.
Marsha Chun
Head of Inspectorate (Investigation and Administration)
Marsha began her journey with the SPCA seven years ago as a volunteer, leveraging her background in policing to transition into the role of Investigation Officer. In this capacity, she focused on documenting cases and collaborating closely with law enforcement. Now as the co-head of the Inspectorate, Marsha plays a crucial role in investigating animal cruelty cases and fostering effective partnerships among the Inspectorate and Police.
On the night of the devastating fires in Tai Po, her co-head, Anthony, was already on-site, while Marsha joined the following morning. Together with numerous NGOs and volunteers, they co-ordinated the urgent rescue of animals affected by the blaze. The SPCA led the animal rescue efforts and mobilised essential support from various stakeholders. Marsha optimised workflows for triaging animal data and ensured immediate veterinary care was administered, all while maintaining comprehensive records and providing the public with regular updates.
Eight days after the fires, the Disaster Victim Identification Unit (DVIU) announced the completion of their search in the affected buildings. It was Marsha who insisted on conducting a targeted search for animals, recommending the placement of cat traps, food, and water. This led to the discovery of two live cats, including a black cat named Hak Jai, an SPCA adoptee, later that day.
Nearly a month after the fire, two more cats were found in the traps on Christmas and New Year’s Day, respectively, and both have since been reunited with their owners—an outcome that may not have been possible without Marsha’s dedication and leadership.[
PP: What was the hardest part of being on-site?
Marsha: It was a challenge to balance the concerns and needs of different parties, requiring skilled flexibility and improvisation. With limited communication to the ground command, we co-ordinated information collected from pet owners and relayed it to frontline rescuers to facilitate animal rescues. We were motivated by the success of these rescues, but we also had to compassionately handle requests from other animal owners and arrange for the return of animal carcasses. I am incredibly proud of my professional team, who work tirelessly and face all difficulties with patience.
PP: Did you have any breakthroughs or heartwarming moments that kept you going?
Marsha: To my surprise, eight days after the fire, two live cats were rescued from the scene. I was both excited and moved when I saw the DVIU officers bringing them to us. This experience reminded me of the incredible strength of these little beings and reinvigorated my determination to provide animals with the help they need and to improve animal welfare in Hong Kong.
PP: How do you take care of yourself and get through such difficult times?
Marsha: My Inspectorate teammates and the volunteer Inspectors provided exceptional support. With their help during night shifts, I was able to return home to care for my nine-month-old daughter each night. I also want to thank my baby girl for coping with the limited time to see me over those ten days.
This fire incident serves as a reminder of how precious life is and how important it is to be with our loved ones. I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role and to help the animals involved.
Dr. Olivia Fong
Chief Veterinary Surgeon (Wanchai)
Dr. Olivia Fong has been with the SPCA since 2017, and throughout her time, has treated countless animals – both owned and unowned, ranging from pets, stray to even wildlife – in addition to overseeing some of the animals received from prosecution and animal cruelty cases.
Of all the cases Dr. Olivia has helped oversee, the Tai Po fire rescue was one of the larger scale cases, and one of the most heart-breaking.
On the days following the fire, SPCA veterinary surgeons were on rotation, helping triage animals that were rescued from the fires, reunite pets with owners, as well as identify the remains of the animals who sadly did not survive.
Dr. Olivia was on-site for three days, providing aid to victims in addition to co-ordinating with the SPCA veterinary team.
PP: What was the hardest part of your involvement?
Dr. Olivia: The hardest part was witnessing both the joy of reuniting live animals with their families and the heartbreak of dealing with deceased ones. While it was heartwarming to see animals returned to owners who had lost everything, it was also devastating when we encountered burnt bodies that were unidentifiable. Even though I wasn’t the owner, I felt immense sadness for the suffering animals endured during the fire. It was a painful reminder of how fragile life is, seeing once loved pets now reduced to ashes.
PP: Did you have any breakthroughs or heartwarming moments which kept you going?
Dr. Olivia: We were motivated by the collective effort of everyone involved—SPCA, firefighters, police officers (esp. DVIU), all volunteers—working towards a common goal. A particularly heartwarming moment was on the eighth day after the fire when an SPCA adopted cat, Hak Jai, was found alive. Witnessing the tearful reunion between him and his owner was a happy reminder of the strong bond between humans and animals, and that miracles do happen. They are not just our pets. They are actually part of our family, and the love that is unconditional. So, it’s a very heartwarming moment that I will never forget.
PP: How do you take care of yourself and get through such difficult times?
Dr. Olivia: We must cherish life’s fragility and support one another. Collaboration and supporting the community is vital, especially during tough times. SPCA provides debriefing sessions with clinical psychologists to help us cope. Although we are in the field of helping others, we are also human beings and It’s important to remember that it’s okay to not be okay, and reaching out for support is essential. Helping each other is what keeps us going.
Maggie Cheng
Volunteer Veterinary Nurse
Maggie previously worked at the SPCA Wan Chai Centre, whilst she was studying for her Veterinary Nursing Certification. Although she has since moved on and presently works with Happy Pets Veterinary Centre, where she continues to care for animals and support pet owners, Maggie returned to assist the SPCA’s emergency response team on the days following the fires in Tai Po, helping to rescue and treat injured animals and providing care for those affected by the fires.
PP: Why did you want to come back to assist as a volunteer?
Maggie: I wanted to volunteer because I hold a special place in my heart for the SPCA and the work they do. I believe in helping animals in need, and I wanted to contribute my skills and time to support the organisation during critical times.
PP: What was the hardest part of being on-site?
Maggie: The hardest part was seeing the distress of both the animals and their owners. It was emotionally challenging to witness the aftermath of such a tragic event, but being able to help provided some relief.
PP: Do you have a message for our readers?
Maggie: I would like to remind everyone of the importance of community and compassion. When we come together to help those in need, we can make a real difference in the lives of animals and their owners.
Vivian Or
Animal Welfare Manager
Vivian has been working at the SPCA for about 20 years, predominantly in the welfare department receiving animals from a range of backgrounds, including animals from abuse cases, injured animals who have been rescued, animals abandoned by their owners, or animals found on the street by citizens.
PP: What was your role on the days of the Tai Po fires?
Vivian: Given the scale of this tragedy, it was impossible to plan ahead, and we had to deal with various situations as and when they arose. My primary role was to handle inquiries from pet owners, both on-site and through the hotline. I also dealt with situations where owners came to claim their animals or animal remains. Additionally, I arranged for volunteer veterinary surgeons and nurses to assist on-site and co-ordinated with various organisations regarding animals returning to our society, while also managing logistical work.
PP: Have you experienced anything similar to this during your time working with the SPCA?
Vivian: I had never experienced a fire like this before. Previously encountered cases usually involved large numbers of animals being hoarded or neglected. However, this is the only instance that involved so many disaster victims and affected animals.
PP: What was the most challenging part? What will stick with you?
Vivian: I think the biggest challenge this time was that we didn’t know what the next steps would be, or when new animals would be rescued and how many each time, or when we would be called to identify animal remains. We had to make urgent decisions on the fly. Another major challenge was dealing with pet owners who were deeply distressed. Their emotions were extremely sorrowful and agitated, and we lacked sufficient experience to handle these situations. Fortunately, many passionate volunteers, social workers, and psychologists were present to assist.
This experience showed me that there are many pet owners who truly care for their animals, whether it’s a fish or a turtle. They were very anxious and worried, wanting to find their beloved pets quickly, which moved me deeply and reminded me of the original motivation for my efforts for animals.
PP: Do you have a message for our readers?
Vivian: Finally, I want to share that although this incident was a significant tragedy, it also revealed a lot of love. Many people stepped forward to help, whether it was assisting other people or animals; everyone was united in helping each other. I met many dedicated colleagues, social workers, and even psychologists, which really touched me!
In the aftermath of the tragic Tai Po fires, which resulted in the loss of 155 animals and left 65 still missing (as of 5 January, 2026), the SPCA continued to support the 368 pets that survived, ranging from the provision of medical assistance, pet food, essential supplies, temporary foster care, and emotional support for both animals and their grieving owners.
Despite the heartbreak of this incident, it has also illuminated the profound compassion and unity within our community. Many individuals—from dedicated colleagues to social workers and rescuers—have come together to offer their help, valuing the lives of all living beings. This remarkable outpouring of support reflects the deep bond between people and their animals, reinforcing our shared commitment to animal welfare.
This tragedy serves as a vital reminder to the Hong Kong community and government that pets are cherished family members. It brings us one step closer to the SPCA’s vision of creating one Hong Kong where all animals are treated with compassion and respect. By advocating for improved protections, legislation, and resources, we can work together to ensure a brighter future for all animals, fostering a culture of compassion and community solidarity.
To learn more about the rescue efforts and how you can help
