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Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR): adopting from the original no-kill shelter

HKDR's two homing centres (Ap Lei Chau and Tai Po), the adoption questionnaire, Sunday puppy meet-and-greets at Whiskers N Paws, and what to know about the no-kill promise.

Harbour view typical of HKDR outreach events

Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) has been working since 2003 and is the original no-kill dog rescue in Hong Kong. They run on private donations, merchandise, and fundraisers, and have rehomed more than 10,000 dogs to date. They are an AFCD-partner Animal Welfare Organisation and hold animal-trader-licence exemption ORG-00001.

Two homing centres you can actually visit

  • Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre at G/F, 13-15 Wai Fung Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong (mailing address).
  • Tai Po Homing Centre at 6 Shek Lin Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong.

Both centres are open 10:00 to 17:00 daily. General enquiries go to info@hongkongdogrescue.com. Drop in any day; there are usually around 500 dogs waiting for a home at any one time.

The adoption questionnaire

There is no online “book a dog” form. HKDR wants you to start with the Adoption Questionnaire, which acts as a matching survey. Once approved, the team introduces you to dogs that fit your household.

Puppies

HKDR always has puppies of all ages. Profiles are kept off the main Dogs page because puppies change too fast. The reliable ways to meet them are:

  • Whiskers N Paws, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau: every Sunday, 14:00 to 17:00.
  • Any other day by arrangement. Call ahead.

If you have very young children, HKDR explicitly recommends a slightly older puppy (around five months), so baby teeth have come in and play-biting is past. Puppies grow, and size is not guaranteed even from a small puppy.

The reality check

HKDR is unusually candid on this. From the Adopt page:

“Adoption is a lifelong commitment and dogs often live until they are around 15 years old. If you have any hesitation in making a promise to keep a dog until the end of its days, please DO NOT adopt.”

If you are not ready for that, HKDR will route you to fostering instead. The Post-Adoption Support page is also active. Use it.

Sponsorship and other ways in

You don’t have to adopt to support HKDR. They run:

  • Life Saver Club: monthly sponsorship of a specific dog.
  • Vet Fund donations for dogs needing surgery.
  • Wedding favours and 100-day celebration donations in lieu of gifts.

See the Donate page for the full list.

Visiting tips

  • Wear closed shoes. Kennels are working floors with concrete that has not been mopped recently, so closed shoes are not optional.
  • Get there early on Sundays, because the Whiskers N Paws puppy hours get crowded by 16:00, especially when HKDR brings out the younger litter.
  • Bring your resident dog. HKDR encourages resident-dog meet-and-greets at the Ap Lei Chau centre for both cats and dogs, and a first meeting on neutral ground is much more reliable than one at home.
  • Budget for the first week. Crate, lead, food transition, first vet visit. Adoptions are cheap at the charity; the rest is not.
  • Ask for the dog’s known history before you commit. HKDR is unusually willing to share what they know about past behaviour, fears, and triggers.

Continue with the hyperlinked hub guide, or jump to SPCA Hong Kong for the alternative city-centre option.