An increase in pet smuggling from mainland China has been identified as a potential factor behind an 11% rise in abandoned cats taken in by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Hong Kong. In the first half of this year, the SPCA received 767 cats, a significant increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Many of the abandoned cats are unchipped pedigree breeds, including British shorthairs and Burmese. A spokeswoman for the SPCA noted that illegal pet smuggling channels and online sales have gained popularity. “When people realized the animals became ill upon arrival and felt unable to handle the situation for financial or other reasons, some abandoned them. This is very irresponsible,” she stated.
Photos shared on the SPCA’s social media account revealed abandoned cats suffering from eye infections, with some cages housing as many as seven kittens. The conditions under which these smuggled animals are kept often pose health risks, as many are unvaccinated and could transmit infectious diseases.
The charity highlighted a significant drop in adoption rates following the Covid-19 pandemic, attributing this to changes in lifestyle, including increased emigration and travel, making pet care challenging for many individuals.
Currently, the SPCA has reached capacity for cats, with some being housed in dog cages due to overcrowding—a trend also observed in other shelters. The organization lists 57 cats available for adoption, while more than 100 are in pet hospitals or with foster families, some involved in ongoing cruelty cases.
The SPCA aims to strike a balance between encouraging pet adoption and ensuring suitable matches between pets and potential owners. “Some adopters are enthusiastic but later realize they cannot handle their pets, which may come with specific health issues,” the spokeswoman explained.
Hong Kong authorities reported seizing 101 illegally imported cats and dogs in 2021, 200 in 2022, and 32 in 2023. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has established a special investigation team to combat the sale of smuggled animals via social media and pledged to collaborate with mainland authorities for intelligence sharing.
