1.

To target problems arising from nuisances caused by stray animals, the AFCD employs the capture and removal method with an aim to reduce nuisances at source, prevent rabies outbreak and control the number of stray animals. If complaints about stray cats or dogs are received, AFCD will arrange for capture.  Captured animals will be kept in the animal management centres for observation. As dogs are required to be licensed, the AFCD will try to locate the owner based on our microchip database and allow the owner to reunite with the animal. Animals not reclaimed will be re-homed through animal welfare organisations if they are found to be healthy and of an acceptable temperament.  Animals which are acutely sick, assessed to be unsuitable for re-homing due to health or temperament reasons, or could not be re-homed by animal welfare organisations will be euthanised. This method is internationally recognized and employed by major cities in the world. In the past three years, the number of stray dogs and cats caught has reduced by 20% whilst the number of stray dogs and cats euthanized has decreased by 26%.

 2.

Hong Kong has a good track record in preventing rabies and has been free from rabies for many years, which proves that the capture and removal method is effective in managing stray animals.

 3.

We consider the most effective way to tackle stray animal problems is at source, that is to reduce the number of abandoned animals by irresponsible pet owners. We will strengthen our enforcement actions and publicity and education works. In tandem with our current practice, we continue to explore ways to better manage stray animals.

 4.

In recent years, due to rising public awareness of animal welfare, the Legislative Council and some local animal welfare organisations repeatedly requested the government to implement the "TNR” trial programme for replacement of the capture and removal strategy.

 5.

Overseas experience and data show that the programme has not yet been scientifically proven effective internationally. However, in response to the call of the public, AFCD agreed to assist the two animal welfare organisations that advocated the “TNR” trial programme to carry out a trial programme in selected sites and has already drafted an operational procedure. Animal welfare organisations will be managing the programme and AFCD will provide technical support when necessary.

6.

Animal welfare organisations will designate voluntary carers to catch dogs in trial sites. Animal welfare organisations will determine which dogs are eligible for the trial programme or suitable for adoption after examination, vaccination and neutering. The carers will monitor the dogs returned to the trial sites. The daily work of the carers includes feeding and taking care of dogs, and keeping the trial sites in good hygienic condition. Animal welfare organisations must provide enough training to carers. During the three-year trial period, AFCD will continue to handle and analyse complaints relevant to subject dogs and other dogs in the trial sites in accordance with the existing operational procedure.

7.

In order to assist the animal welfare organisations in implementing this programme, AFCD will provide exemptions to executors of the programme to exempt them from relevant legal liabilities in the three-year trial period through legal procedures if the programme could gain support from local communities around the trial sites.

8.

Local community support is essential to the smooth implementation of the programme. Therefore, AFCD and the animal welfare organisations advocating the programme have conducted consultations to gather opinions from the local communities and relevant District Councils for analysis.

9.

AFCD has held six local consultation forums to consult opinions towards the trial programme from local residents. In general, local views are diverse, with those opposed to the "TNR" trial programme pointing out the nuisance caused by stray dogs and supporters of "TNR" stressing the benefits of a trial programme. The residents living near the trial zones tended to raise stronger objection to the programme.  AFCD will then submit the trial programme and collected opinions to local District Councils for discussion and further consultation.

10.

Since the implementation of the “TNR” trial programme aims to reduce community stray dogs thereby reducing nuisances caused to the community, the main evaluation indexes are the change in the total number of stray dogs and the number of complaints. In addition, the effectiveness of the programme very much hinges on a number of factors, including the support of local residents, whether stray dogs in the trial sites will create nuisances and endanger other dogs and local public in the vicinity, whether geographically the trial sites can keep other stray dogs from moving in and prevent irresponsible owners from abandoning dogs there, etc. AFCD will regularly review the programme during the three-year trial period and summarise the effectiveness of the programme at the end of the trial period.

11.

AFCD will commission an independent research institution to conduct regular surveys on the number of stray dogs in the trial sites, monitor the implementation of the programme, and evaluate the effectiveness of the programme together with the animal welfare organisations responsible for implementing the programme.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

May 2012