With thousands of Wang Fuk Court residents suddenly homeless after the blaze that claimed over 150 lives, many face a heartbreaking choice: accept temporary shelter or stay with the pets they consider family.
The Scout Association of Hong Kong stepped in within 24 hours, converting its Tung Tsz Scout Centre in Tai Po into a rare refuge where displaced families and their dogs, cats, and other companions can stay together.
In record time, scout leaders formed an emergency task force—one team ensured access to hot water and Wi-Fi, another handled round-the-clock logistics, and trained social workers from the association now rotate on site to offer emotional support and connect residents with wider aid.
Although far from luxurious, the center has been steadily upgraded based on daily feedback with hairdryers, mosquito repellents, and pet-cleaning supplies among other additions.
An elderly couple told volunteers they finally feel safe because they did not have to abandon the little dog that has kept them going through loneliness and old age.
Staff joke that the gentle pup, who loves nothing more than curling up in laps, might be the center’s best counselor.
As the long road to rebuilding homes begins, the scout center has become a quiet symbol of compassion in action: proof that in Hong Kong’s darkest weeks, even the smallest creatures are not forgotten.
