You Can Help us Prevent Cruelty
The SPCA operates a 24-hour confidential hotline for members of the public to report animal cruelty and this plays a major part in helping us protect animals in Hong Kong. If you suspect animal cruelty is being committed, here are some signs to look out for:
Physical
- Animals with collars so tight there are neck wounds or the collar or chain is embedded into the animal’s flesh;
- Open wounds, fly-blown wounds, a number of healed wounds. An ongoing injury or illness that is not being treated. Hair loss/patchiness, scaly skin, bumps or rashes, can all be signs of untreated skin disease;
- Heavy discharge from eyes or nose;
- Extreme thinness or emaciation; or
- Fur is full of fleas, ticks or other parasites.
Behavioural signs
- Signs of inadequate grooming, such as extreme matting of fur, overgrown nails and dirty coat;
- Weakness, limping or the inability to stand or walk normally;
- Visible signs of confusion or extreme drowsiness; or
- An owner/person striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal.
Environmental signs
- Animals tied up outside or locked inside for long periods of time without proper food or water;
- Animals without the right shelter, or left for long periods of time outside in bad weather or under the hot sun with no shade;
- Living area full of faeces, rubbish, broken glass or other objects that could harm them; or
- Cages or enclosures that are too small, or animals crowded together with many others.
If you suspect cruelty is being committed, here are some tips that will greatly help us:
- Try to get original photographs or video that show the animals being victims of cruelty e.g. an animal being kept in a poor condition for an extended period of time, or someone perpetrating a cruel act;
- Positively identify the person suspected; and
- Make a note of the dates and times of the acts of cruelty committed.
If you see an act of cruelty, please report it, and come forward as a witness – your testimony could be vital. TOGETHER WE CAN COMBAT CRUELTY!
Inspectorate
Investigating Cruelty
Our Inspectorate team is dedicated to protecting the welfare of animals and is best known for its work with Hong Kong law enforcement agencies to protect them against cruelty.
Animal Watch Scheme
As a way to combat animal cruelty more effectively, the Hong Kong Police set up the Animal Watch Scheme to formalise the working relationship between the Police, SPCA and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).
What is animal welfare?
In Hong Kong, the key animal welfare law is Cap.169 – the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance – and the regulations provided under Cap.169A. These define cruelty as the action or inaction of a person (or persons) that causes ...
Your role in combatting cruelty
The SPCA operates a 24-hour confidential hotline for members of the public to report animal cruelty and this plays a major part in helping us protect animals in Hong Kong. If you suspect animal cruelty is being committed, here are some signs ...
Preventing Dog Poisonings
For three decades, the Bowen Road and Black's Link areas have become synonymous with a suspected dog poisoner. In the early 1990s, dogs were found poisoned almost every month having ingested bait left in the grass verges and more ...
Inspectors in the Community
Our Inspectorate team believes that education can play a major part in reducing animal cruelty so they spend time in the community on a number of programs ...
Inspectorate organisation
Our 22 fulltime employees are organised into three core teams, overseen by the Superintendent who reports to the Deputy Director, Inspectorate ...