Every year in Hong Kong, approximately 40,000 abandoned dogs and cats are euthanized. Pets are abandoned for various reasons, such as a lack of animal guardianship responsibility, financial constraints, overseas relocation, and housing restrictions. When suddenly rendered homeless, where do the animals go? Most of them are taken to animal shelters, where they await adoption or receive lifelong care, as is the case for senior or terminally ill animals.
The shelters, while striving to provide abandoned animals with a loving home albeit temporarily, are often under-resourced and under-staffed, and many are run by volunteers. The urge to give these compassionate individuals a helping hand prompted us to partner with a local dog rescue shelter, House of Joy and Mercy for Rescue Dogs, to organize a volunteering activity for HSBC Scholars and Hub for the Future community members.
Hands-on Care and Support for Abandoned Dogs
On 21 February, 10 HSBC Scholars and Mandy Yeung, FSI’s HSBC Scholarship Scheme Programme Officer, arrived at House of Joy and Mercy’s Ko Po Dog Adoption Centre in Yuen Long at 10am in the morning, sleeves all rolled up, ready to provide the shelter with much-needed support.
Founded in 2015, House of Joy and Mercy for Rescue Dogs is a nonprofit organization committed to the care of stray animals in life, healing in sickness, and offering dignity in death. In addition to helping stray animals find loving homes and offering them a place to live in, the nonprofit also provides stray animals with free clinical treatment and humane end-of-life services. To prevent abandonment, House of Joy and Mercy offers free short-term animal foster services to owners in emergencies alongside regularly organized public education programs on animal welfare and companionship.
Initiated and led by Stephanie Chan, recipient of the HSBC Greater Bay Area Scholarship in 2023 and a current Hub Leadership Committee member, the activity kick-started with an introduction to House of Joy and Mercy by its staff, Ar Tung.
The Ko Po Dog Adoption Centre is home to approximately 50 dogs, the majority of whom are middle- and large-sized stay dogs, abandoned by puppy mills or their owners. “The health condition of the dogs abandoned by the puppy mills is worse than that of other dogs, as they were forced to breed before they were sent here,” said Ar Tung. This is why the centre endeavors to provide the dogs with a good living environment: ample clean space with comfort added in the form of air-conditioning during the city’s hot and humid summer.
Dog Care 101: Cleaning the Kennels and Discerning Canine Emotions
After a tour of the center, Ar Tung showed HSBC Scholars how to clean the kennels and discern canine emotions by observing their tails. HSBC Scholars then followed Ar Tung to visit the dogs at each kennel, learn about their personalities and history, and the precautions to take when interacting with the dogs.
“Clean the kennels one after another, and never open more than one kennel at the same time,” said Ar Tung. “After you have cleaned the kennel, avoid pushing the dog back inside the kennel from their back, as that could frighten the dog.”
Once the cleaning was over, Ar Tung encouraged HSBC Scholars to interact with several purebred and mongrel dogs, including those abandoned by their owners and puppy mills. To say the dogs melted the scholars’ hearts is an understatement.
“Cleaning the kennel wasn’t easy at all — the dogs sometimes barked suddenly or were reluctant to go back into their kennels,” said Stephanie Chan, our HUB leader who proposed and took the lead in this event. “It was important to be patient. I am glad that I could help with cleaning and daily care for the dogs, as a clean kennel is the foundation of a healthy rescue. As a law student, I have realized that animal law is rarely touched upon in our curriculum, yet it’s an area that has always sparked my curiosity and concern. This year, as a HUB Leader, I felt a deep desire to create a bridge—not just between our HUB members, but also between us and the voiceless. I wanted us to step beyond our textbooks into the real world, to understand not only how shelters operate, but also the quiet struggles of homeless dogs in Hong Kong.”
Reflecting on the kennel cleaning session, Stephanie thought it was where the Scholars’ hearts and hands truly came together. “We guided the dogs out, cleaned their kennel, refilled the water, and gently led them back inside the kennel. Guiding them back in was not always easy—some barked and resisted—but we learned that patience and kindness speak louder than urgency, no matter how long it took. That moment reminded me that love is not rushed; it is shown in the small, steady acts of care. I watched our members step out of their comfort zones, clean with care, and connect with dogs who have long been forgotten. What stayed with me was the sight of purebred dogs waiting just as long for a home as any other. It reminded me that every dog, regardless of breed, is simply waiting for someone to say, ‘You matter.’”
This volunteering experience also opened Stephanie’s eyes to the painful truths that abandonment and illegal breeding are not distant issues but are happening right now, here in Hong Kong. “I met dogs who were once used for breeding and then discarded when they were no longer ‘useful’. Some had lost their sight. Others bore physical scars. Yet their spirits remained gentle. It broke my heart and also strengthened my resolve to help with these animal friends..”
The hardest thing to witness, for Stephanie, was the reality of long-term shelter life: “Many dogs have been waiting for over two or three years. And for mixed-breed dogs—our beloved ‘village dogs’, the wait is even longer. Seeing their hopeful eyes in person, I realized that behind every statistic is a living being longing for a second chance. I truly wish for a world with fewer abandoned animals and fewer dogs bred for profit. Dogs are lives, not commodities.”
“The main reason I participated in this event is that I really love animals,” said Tommy Wong, recipient of the 2025 HSBC Hong Kong Scholarship. “I didn’t have much knowledge about animal adoption or the process behind it. This volunteering event helped me understand how adoption centers are run and how the dogs are cared for. I don’t have a pet now, but I love animals. With today’s experience, I learned more about how to take care of and interact with animals.”
“What really inspired me is that the dog adoption center is very clean,” said Orane Lee, recipient of the 2025 HSBC Social Work Scholarship. “Although there are many different types of dogs here, mostly large dogs, the center is still very clean. There are also many different stories behind the dogs, such as abandoned dogs, stray dogs, and even sick dogs. In fact, every story behind the dogs is a human story, but the dogs can’t control these things. We need to reflect on these stories and find ways to prevent abandonment in the first place.”
The same thing dawned on Mimi Wong, recipient of the 2024 HSBC Hong Kong Scholarship, “I have learnt that there are some people in Hong Kong caring for stray animals. We should think twice before buying a pet. Instead of buying a dog from a pet shop, we should adopt one. We should support more dog shelters in Hong Kong.”
Said Daniel Lee, recipient of the 2021 Vocational Education Scholarship: “It was a really enjoyable experience, and it was my first time interacting with dogs and helping with the dog shelter. Even though cleaning the shelter was tiring, I have developed more empathy and patience for animals in need.”
“It was a meaningful experience,” said Tasha Lam, recipient of the 2025 Innovation and Technology Scholarship. “I am a dog lover, so I am very glad that I could help. Seeing the dogs enjoying a hygienic environment at the site made me feel like my effort paid off.”
As the secretariat of the HSBC Scholarship Scheme and the coordinator for Hub for the Future – a community of past and current recipients of HSBC Scholarships – FSI works to transform the Hub community into a force for good. Since July 2024, we have provided the Hub community with opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, skills acquisition, and community service activities. Learn more about our youth empowerment work here.
