SPCA says 84 pets unaccounted for in Wang Fuk Court blaze as owners seek closure

Eighty-four animals remain unaccounted for following the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, according to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

The organization said it is reaching out to each affected pet owner, with some expressing a wish to enter their units to reclaim their pets’ remains.

SPCA’s head of inspectorate Marsha Chun Mei-yi said she hopes police can place water, food and humane cat traps throughout different parts of the building.

She acknowledged that chances of survival are slim but said the team is “still willing to believe in that last glimmer of hope.”

Chun said some residents have been unable to retrieve their pets due to temporary accommodation issues, leaving the animals in the SPCA’s care. Others did not survive the fire, and the SPCA has uploaded information about their pets on social media for relatives to come forward.

If no one responds after a certain period, the animals will be made available for adoption. She noted that animals currently under SPCA care are in stable condition.

She urged pet owners to watch closely for emotional trauma, as animals may display anxiety or fear after experiencing a major incident. Symptoms such as restlessness, barking or whining may require veterinary attention or assistance from the SPCA.

The organization earlier shared the rescue story of “Little Black,” a black cat trapped at the disaster site for nine days.

Chun said the cat had hidden in a concealed area inside its unit and was eventually recovered by the police Disaster Victim Identification Unit (DVIU), which placed the cat inside a plastic rice container for extraction.

Reuniting with Little Black at the hospital, the owner revealed that he had adopted the cat from the SPCA eight years ago—a moment that moved all present.

Chun added that the owner had previously registered the pet and unit details with the SPCA. She urged all pet owners to microchip their animals and to train them to be comfortable entering carriers, as this can speed up rescue in emergencies.