ENG-2011 — Page 245

Food Safety, Environmental Hygiene, Agriculture and Fisheries 205

Quarantine Detector Dog Programme

The Quarantine Detector Dog Programme was introduced to help combat illegal importation of animals. The dogs can detect live mammals, birds, reptiles and animal products hidden in luggage or under layers of clothing. These dogs are deployed to various boundary control points including Lok Ma Chau, Shenzhen Bay and the Hong Kong International Airport. In 2011, more than 219 000 travellers, 1 500 vehicles and 25 000 parcels were screened.

Animal Management

The AFCD adopts various animal management measures to control animal diseases, regulate the trading of animals, and promote respect and care for animals.

Rabies is controlled effectively in Hong Kong, which has been rabies-free since the 1980s. In 2011, some 62 000 dogs were licensed and vaccinated against rabies. About 9 800 dogs and 4 000 cats were brought to the AFCD Animal Management Centres during the year. Most were strays but some were surrendered by their owners. The AFCD runs a re-homing programme for the healthy and well-tempered

ones.

All pet shops selling animals must be licensed by the AFCD which inspects these shops regularly to ensure that they do not contravene any of the licence conditions. Pet shops are also now required to obtain dogs for sale only from approved sources. The AFCD runs a programme for promoting respect and care for animals. It uses a broad range of communication tools to drive home the message. Thematic exhibitions, roving exhibitions and carnivals were held during the year to promote responsible pet ownership and rabies prevention.

Animal Welfare

The AFCD collaborates with 13 Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs) in providing animal re-homing services, covering dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and reptiles. In 2011, the AFCD further strengthened collaboration with and support to its partner organisations in the re-homing of animals, including inviting more AWOS to join forces with the AFCD in providing free de-sexing services for animals re-homed through the partner organisations.

To further improve the handling of animal cruelty reports or complaints, an Animal Welfare Task Group was set up involving the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and government departments, such as the Hong Kong Police, the FEHD and the AFCD, to enable better inter-departmental support for animal cruelty cases. The Task Group meets regularly to review the handling of animal cruelty cases, devise guidelines and to ensure that animal welfare is well protected. The AFCD has enhanced its co-operation with AWOS through expanding the membership of Animal Welfare Advisory Group (AWAG) and co-opting more representatives of AWOS to the various working groups under AWAG.

Websites

Food and Health Bureau: www.fhb.gov.hk

Food and Environmental Hygiene Department: www.fehd.gov.hk Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: www.afcd.gov.hk