Mainland pet quarantine cut to 30 days starting June 3

The quarantine period for pet cats and dogs entering the SAR from the mainland will be shortened to 30 days from the current 120 days starting June 3, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department announced on Tuesday.

Speaking at a Legislative Council meeting, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said the decision came after his department reached consensus with the mainland in facilitating the entry of pet cats and dogs from mainland to Hong Kong.

The animals' quarantine period can be reduced to 30 days if they meet specific requirements, including a microchip implant, vaccination certificate, rabies antibody test, and health certificate from mainland veterinarians.

Tse indicated the department has expanded quarantine facilities, with new spaces at Kowloon Animal Management Centre expected to open in May.

Lawmaker Benson Luk Hon-man proposed to differentiate quarantine times by provinces or cities, but Tse emphasized that a crucial factor for the SAR government is how other regions perceive Hong Kong. 

The secretary warned that if strict areas like Australia and New Zealand classify Hong Kong as rabies-affected, they would completely prohibit the import of cats and dogs from the city.

Regarding pets in restaurants, lawmaker Kitson Yang Wing-kit noted a lack of public consensus on pet inclusivity and suggested allowing some restaurants to apply for permission to admit pets.

Tse acknowledged that strong opposition exists and that complaints have risen over the past five years, indicating low public acceptance.

He stressed the need for cautious handling of the issue, citing that many cities worldwide prohibit dogs from entering restaurants

(Cheng Wong)