On the edges of Hong Kong’s densely populated concrete jungle, a silent conflict plays out daily. Wild boars rummage through garbage in urban areas, and monkeys beg for food from visitors in country parks. These occurrences have shifted from the rare to the commonplace, reflecting the increasingly intense clash between urban expansion and wildlife habitats. In response, calls for “relocation” and “removal” occasionally echo within society, yet as a self-proclaimed civilized international metropolis, Hong Kong requires a more animal welfare-oriented, scientifically grounded, and long-term humanitarian management strategy that aims for harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife. This is not only essential for animal welfare but is also a litmus test for the sustainable development of the city and the level of social civilization. Conclusion The attitude toward wildlife reflects the baseline of a city’s civilization. Simple measures of eviction or elimination only lead to temporary peace while exacerbating ecological imbalances and potential conflicts. Hong Kong stands at a critical crossroads: we can choose to continue reactive responses, falling into a cycle of endless conflict; or we can choose proactive planning, utilizing scientific, humane, and forward-looking wisdom to carve out a new path for harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife. This pathway requires the government to demonstrate decisiveness that transcends short-term political tests, planners to possess the vision to integrate ecology with development, and every citizen to fulfill their duty as responsible neighbors. Only by doing so can we ensure that Hong Kong’s prosperity does not come at the cost of wildlife suffering and ecological diversity, but rather truly build a livable metropolis that is friendly to all forms of life.

When a pig endures several hours of bumping in a cramped metal cage, transported from a farm in the New Territories to a slaughterhouse in the city, the fear and suffering it experiences constitute a journey of accepted cruelty under current law. Every day in Hong Kong, over three thousand food animals are sent to slaughterhouses, yet the transport process during their final moments of life remains concealed from the public eye. Since its establishment in 1903, the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has aimed to prevent animals from suffering in the transport and slaughter process, highlighting that this issue has persisted for a long time. Today, Hong Kong still faces significant legislative and regulatory gaps regarding the transport welfare of food and laboratory animals.

Introduction In the concrete jungle of Hong Kong, the relationship between animals and humans is becoming increasingly tense. On one hand, cases of animal abuse and irresponsible abandonment occur frequently; on the other hand, societal concern for animal welfare is rising, yet there is a lack of systematic cultivation of values. The ongoing discussions about amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance focus primarily on penalties and enforcement, which are certainly important, but laws ultimately set the minimum standards of morality and are remedial rather than preventive. To fundamentally establish a society that respects life, the key lies in “educational prevention.” We must systematically and comprehensively integrate animal welfare education into the formal curriculum of primary and secondary schools, sowing the seeds of empathy and responsibility in the hearts of the next generation. Fortunately, local academia has begun exploring viable paths. The University of Hong Kong’s research team recently initiated the “Dog Reading Program,” which is an inspiring pilot study. This program incorporates trained “reading dogs” into primary school curricula, allowing students to learn emotional management and empathy through safe interactions with animals and themed reading of picture books. Preliminary research results are encouraging: participating students showed significant improvements in cognitive abilities and empathy, with decreased hyperactive behaviors. This empirical study robustly demonstrates that structured animal welfare education is not only feasible but can also have a positive impact on students’ overall development. In Taiwan, higher education has already classified “Animal Welfare” as a mandatory general education course, systematically exploring welfare issues for economic animals, laboratory animals, and companion animals. This shows that systematizing and subject-specific teaching of animal ethics and welfare is entirely feasible. Hong Kong’s primary and secondary education should seize this opportunity to lay the groundwork from the foundational stages. Conclusion Legal penalties can set the baseline for behaviors, but only education can elevate the moral standards of society. As an international metropolis, Hong Kong’s level of civilization should not only be reflected in economic indicators and skyscrapers but also in its attitude towards the weakest of lives. Incorporating animal welfare education into the primary and secondary school curriculum is one of the most important investments for the future. It invests not only in the welfare of animals but also in the moral quality of our next generation—cultivating citizens who possess greater empathy, responsibility, and ecological wisdom. We earnestly urge the SAR government, the education sector, and all sectors of society to recognize the urgency of this issue and take immediate action.

Introduction Behind the bustling international metropolis of Hong Kong lies a long-neglected dark corner—the unregulated pet breeding and sales industry. Countless dogs and cats, treated merely as breeding tools, spend their entire lives trapped in small, filthy cages, continually bred and producing offspring until their bodies are utterly exhausted. As of 2014, Hong Kong has almost no regulations concerning these types of “backyard breeders,” leading to prolonged suffering for animals, while consumers often unknowingly purchase sick or behaviorally problematic puppies and kittens, creating a vicious cycle. This article aims to analyze the existing legal loopholes, draw on international experiences, and propose practical reform measures for Hong Kong. Although the AFCD has published the Code of Practice for Animal Sellers, this code lacks legal enforceability and enforcement is weak. The 2010 Animal Welfare Law Review Report from the University of Hong Kong explicitly stated that Hong Kong’s legislation is fragmented and outdated. Four years later, the situation has not fundamentally improved. Conclusion The way a society treats animals is a measure of its civilization. In 2014, Hong Kong has fallen significantly behind many advanced regions in regulating the pet breeding industry. We can no longer use “free market” as an excuse to allow voiceless animals to endure systemic suffering in the shadows. Legislation must establish a transparent regulatory system that ensures animal welfare throughout breeding, care, and sales— not only to protect animals but also to safeguard consumer rights and guide society towards a more responsible pet ownership culture. This moment is critical for the government to demonstrate political will and for the public to exercise consumer choice to collectively end this silent tragedy.