It is Our Duty to Care.
It is the Law’s Duty to Protect.
Too often, the current law only allows action after an animal has already suffered serious harm. Hong Kong needs a more comprehensive and proactive approach — one that prevents neglect and abuse before suffering begins.
Hong Kong’s primary animal protection law, Cap. 169 The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, was introduced in 1935 (based on UK legislation from 1911). Since then, the legal framework, which primarily focuses on post-event punishment, has remained fundamentally unchanged, making it no longer fit for the modern world and our current animal welfare standards.
Care must start before cruelty.
The SPCA is calling for a full animal cruelty legislation reform, including:
Animals should not have to continue to wait for changes that come too late to help them. Hong Kong needs a modern animal welfare law that prevents suffering, protects animals earlier, and holds offenders properly accountable.
We need full reform — not piecemeal updates.
Learn more about the current legislation and our proposed amendments in the tabs below.
Cap. 169: Hong Kong’s Animal Protection Law Is Long Overdue for Change
The foundation of animal welfare in Hong Kong ...
The SPCA's Proposed Reforms to Cap. 169
The law should not only punish cruelty after serious suffering has happened ...
Duty of Care: Protecting Animals Before Harm Is Done
Animal welfare is about how well an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives, the treatment it receives ...
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