An Empirical Study of the Operational Challenges for Private Animal Shelters in Hong Kong and Their Links to Regulatory and Policy Gaps

We conducted a novel study of the current animal shelter landscape in Hong Kong. Seeking to identify the operational challenges faced by shelter owners and volunteers in meeting the needs of their animals, we conducted 22 interviews involving 10 large shelter operators and 12 long-term shelter managers/operations support staff. Eight interviewees had more than 20 years’ experience in operations. Interviewees identified inadequate regulatory oversight and lack of clear animal welfare policy leadership from the government as presenting serious impediments to the well-being of shelter animals. Interviewees reported that, in the absence of coherent and meaningful legislation and policies on animal welfare, they have become the primary bearer of responsibility for unsustainable numbers of unwanted animals and the authority on acceptable animal welfare practices, allowing for significant variations in standards. Our findings indicate that lack of government-led education setting out acceptable standards of care for animals and regulation of online fundraising is permitting those who seek to exploit animals for profit to use social media to ‘sell tragedy’ online, detracting funds from shelters already in financial need and undermining animal welfare in Hong Kong.