Press Releases

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will implement additional licensing conditions for animal traders on February 1, 2010, to ensure that dogs for sale at pet shops are obtained from approved sources.

A spokesman for the AFCD said today (December 15) that the additional conditions were aimed at tightening the control of the sources of dogs offered for sale, for public health and animal welfare reasons.

To allow the animal trade to familiarise itself with the new requirements and make necessary preparations, AFCD issued letters to animal traders today to notify them of the implementation details of the additional licensing conditions.

"We have conducted extensive consultation with stakeholders including animal traders, dog breeders, animal welfare groups, the Animal Welfare Advisory Group and veterinary surgeons and considered the views collected. Sessions were also held to brief the stakeholders of the new requirements," the spokesman said.

For the protection of public health and animal welfare, all animal traders are required to hold an animal trader licence (ATL) issued by the AFCD and strictly observe the licensing conditions and the Code of Practice. Under the existing licensing conditions of pet shops involved in the trading of dogs, all dogs offered for sale must be implanted with a microchip and be covered by a vaccination certificate in respect of the common infectious diseases affecting dogs. The sale of unweaned or diseased dogs is also prohibited.

The additional ATL conditions will stipulate that all dogs for sale in pet shops must be from the following sources:

* legally imported;
* licensed dog breeders;
* other licensed pet shops; and
* private pet owners

For dogs imported into Hong Kong, pet shops are required to ensure that the dogs are covered by a valid import permit issued by the AFCD, together with a valid health certificate issued by the veterinary authority of the exporting place.

Dogs acquired from other licensed animal traders or dog breeders, must be covered by documentation such as an invoice or sales receipt detailing their microchip number, breed, quantity, date of transaction and source.

For dogs acquired from private pet owners, pet shops are required to obtain a declaration signed by the private pet owner. The dog must also be covered by a certificate issued by a registered veterinary surgeon stating its microchip number and that the dog is the offspring of a licensed dog belonging to the private pet owner concerned. For a dog over five months old, the valid dog licence must be transferred to the licensed pet shops operator within five days after the dog is sold.

"All pet shops are required to keep all documents detailing the sources of dogs acquired and make them available for inspection by staff of AFCD or authorised agencies," the spokesman said.

"We will also step up liaison with private veterinarians to facilitate their understanding of the new arrangements."

To check the compliance of pet shops and breeders, AFCD will step up inspection of licensed pet shops. Animal traders found to be in breach of the licensing conditions are liable to a fine and suspension of their licence.

"We will also conduct investigations into reports of suspected illegal dog trading activities and take prosecution action if there is sufficient evidence," the spokesman said.

The implementation arrangements and frequently asked questions of the additional licensing conditions have been uploaded onto AFCD's website: www.afcd.gov.hk. The public can also call 1823 Call Centre for related enquiries.

Ends