At the Discovery Bay pier on a weekend, a lady and her Labrador board the ferry to Central—this is not an exception but a snapshot of daily life in the community. However, upon arriving in Central, she discovers that her beloved dog is denied access to most public transport, restaurants, and shopping malls. In 2022, a local animal welfare organization’s survey found that over 65% of pet owners found it “very difficult” or “almost impossible” to dine out, use public transport, or visit recreational public spaces with their pets. Meanwhile, the proportion of families in Hong Kong owning pets continues to increase, with companion animals increasingly seen as family members. Yet outdated regulations, such as the Food Business Regulation, the Mass Transit Railway By-Laws, and other public space management rules, have erected invisible walls that exclude companion animals from public life. This not only affects the quality of life for pet owners but also hinders the development of an inclusive and friendly modern city. Pragmatic Public Transport Solutions: Cities like Berlin and Paris allow small pets to travel either free or with a ticket on subways; many private railways in Japan permit pets to be transported in containers of specified dimensions. Their commonality lies in the clarity of rules (container specifications, travel times) paired with strict responsibility requirements, facilitating the coexistence of public transport and pets. Building a pet-friendly city signifies far more than simply “allowing pets inside.” It reflects whether a city respects diverse lifestyle choices of citizens, whether it is willing to use modern management wisdom to solve problems rather than resorting to simple prohibitions, and whether it acknowledges the emotional value and family status of companion animals in contemporary society.Hong Kong in 2022 is ripe for re-examining these outdated regulations, supported by public sentiment. This reform requires courage from the government, foresight from the Legislative Council, innovative collaboration from the transportation and dining industries, and rational discussions among all citizens. By dismantling these outdated “invisible walls,” we move towards not just a more animal-friendly Hong Kong but also a more inclusive, considerate, and warm urban metropolis. It is time to initiate this necessary dialogue and transformation.

In the late-night streets of North Point, a wild boar forages with its piglets beside a garbage station, only for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) personnel to arrive hours later to capture it for “humane disposal.” This scene played out frequently in Hong Kong from late 2021 to early 2022, sparking profound debates about the relationship between humans and wildlife. In November 2021, the AFCD announced a shift in its wild boar management strategy, implementing “regular capture and humane disposal” for wild boars in urban areas. This policy immediately sparked significant controversy. Data showed that over 1,200 reports of wild boar disturbances were received in 2021, nearly tripling from five years prior. However, can merely relying on culling truly solve the root of the problem? Increasing evidence and international experience indicate that Hong Kong urgently needs a paradigm shift from “confrontational management” to “scientific coexistence.” In 2022, Hong Kong stands at a crossroads in urban wildlife management policy. We must acknowledge that ongoing culling actions are not only morally and animal welfare-concerning but also, in the long run, a costly and ineffective management approach. The real solution lies in recognizing that wildlife is a part of the urban ecosystem and addressing the management of human behavior and urban environments with scientific rigor, patience, and innovation. This will require inter-departmental collaboration, professional expertise, community participation, and ongoing public education. Moving from confrontation to coexistence is not only an act of kindness towards wildlife but also a test of the ecological wisdom of this city, Hong Kong. As we learn to share this urban space with our wildlife neighbors, we build not just a safer community but also a more ecologically aware and sustainable future for Hong Kong.

In a subdivided flat of less than ten square meters in Sham Shui Po, seven female dogs of different breeds are continuously breeding in harsh conditions, with puppies sold online for thousands of dollars—this is a daily snapshot of many illegal breeding operations in Hong Kong in 2022. According to data submitted to the Legislative Council by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in 2022, there are only a handful of licensed dog breeding establishments across Hong Kong, and the number of licensed animal sellers is starkly disproportionate to the number of pets circulating in the market. During the same year, several legislators pointed out significant regulatory gaps in cat breeding. With the rise of social media and online trading platforms, a large, hidden network of illegal animal breeding and sales is spreading across Hong Kong, and current regulations are virtually powerless against this problem. 2022 is a crucial moment for strengthening regulations on animal breeding and sales in Hong Kong. As societal attention towards animal welfare increases, public expectations for the government to strengthen oversight are also rising. Illegal breeding and sales not only cause immense animal suffering but also pose public health risks and issues regarding consumer rights. This is not just an animal welfare issue but also a public policy and social governance issue. We call on the government to acknowledge this long-standing gap and take decisive measures to reform related legislation and enforcement mechanisms. Only through comprehensive, systemic reforms can we fundamentally dismantle the dark profit chain built on animal suffering, making Hong Kong a city that is friendly to all lives.

A dog was rescued after suffering severe neck sores from being chained for a long time, yet under existing laws, the owner is likely to face only a trivial fine for “failing to provide necessary medical care” rather than serious charges of “animal cruelty.” In April 2022, the Hong Kong SAR government revealed to the Legislative Council a highly anticipated legislative process: specific amendment proposals to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance would be reported in May, with plans to formally submit the amendment draft in the second half of the year. The most core and revolutionary proposal is the introduction of the legal concept of “Duty of Care.” This signifies a fundamental paradigm shift in Hong Kong’s animal welfare law since its enactment in 1935—from merely punishing extreme cases of “cruel behavior” to legally mandating that owners actively provide basic welfare for animals. Incorporating these responsibilities into law means that enforcement personnel (such as AFCD inspectors) can intervene and correct conditions before they reach the level of “cruelty.” For example, if an extremely poor living environment is discovered, they can issue improvement notices, obliging owners to rectify the situation within a specified timeframe; failure to do so would constitute a violation. This shifts the role of the law from “post-punisher” to “pre-protector.” The introduction of “Duty of Care” is not merely about adding a few legal clauses. It represents a profound conceptual revolution—from viewing animals as disposable “objects” to acknowledging them as sentient beings whose welfare needs to be actively safeguarded. 2022 is a critical turning point in Hong Kong’s animal welfare legislation. The introduction of “Duty of Care” provides a historic opportunity to convert society’s widespread compassion for animals into clear, enforceable legal standards. This step aligns Hong Kong’s laws with jurisdictions such as the UK, New Zealand, and Taiwan, which have implemented similar responsibilities. Not only can it prevent countless potential sufferings, but it can fundamentally elevate the standards and attitudes of the entire society towards life. We call upon Legislative Council members to uphold the core principles of “Duty of Care” when deliberating the draft law and to create a forward-thinking piece of legislation. We also urge every citizen to support this legislation and begin reflecting on whether we have fulfilled our “Duty of Care” towards the lives we care for. The silence of animals should not become a reason for neglecting their welfare. In 2022, let us protect them with a compassionate law they rightly deserve.