PAST AND PRESENT NAMES AND LOGOS

The SPCA has changed its name and logo over the years to reflect changes within the organisation, the animal welfare sphere, and in Hong Kong society at large.

We took the name “The Hongkong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” (HKSPCA) in the very beginning for two reasons. First, our formation was inspired by the worldwide establishment of animal welfare charities under the name “Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals”. Second, and more important, our primary focus is to prevent livestock for human consumption from cruel treatment during transportation and slaughter.

After our work was officially recognised by the UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in 1964, the HKSPCA was officially approved by the RSPCA and became known as “The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Hong Kong” (RSPCA (HK)) in 1978. The logo was changed to match that of the RSPCA.

In 1989, to promote a more progressive and positive image in the local Chinese community, we updated our Chinese name to emphasise that our work was more than just preventing animal cruelty; it was also about improving animal welfare.

Following the return of Hong Kong to mainland China in 1997, the prefix Royal was dropped from our name. Our logo was changed to a new, blue-colour featuring a cat and a dog to represent our gradual shift to animal welfare and community outreach, as we created a sustainable approach for a better future for animals in Hong Kong.

The current logo - light blue in colour, without a frame, for a cleaner and more welcoming appeal - has been in use since 2012.

CENTENARY MILESTONES

1903

A group of volunteers, with the support of then Governor of Hong Kong Sir Henry Blake, create an informal group on 28 August, called the Hongkong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HKSPCA).

The Beginning

1921

The HKSPCA is established officially on 23 June as a non-profit organisation.

1923

Our first Dog’s Home, which is substantially funded by Lady Ho Tung, is officially opened in Waterloo Road, Kowloon. We also become the first organisation to provide access to veterinary services to residents of the New Territories.

1930s

We appeal to the government to mandate the use of wooden crates in the transportation of pigs and cows to prevent them from being injured by the conventionally-used bamboo cages, when the bamboo poles broke.

1935

Our active lobbying leads to the introduction of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169) in Hong Kong on 29 November. Our Inspectorate is formed accordingly in 1937.

1941

The HKSPCA is forced to stop its work after Hong Kong surrenders to Japan on 25 December.

Post WWII society development

1947

After World War II, the HKSPCA officially re-opens on 23 August.

1950

Beginning in the mid-1940s, rabies becomes widespread in Hong Kong. The HKSPCA initiates an anti-rabies campaign to educate people on how to prevent and handle the disease, in addition to carrying out post-war reforms. In the same year, the Dogs and Cats Ordinance (Cap. 167) is introduced to control rabies and prohibit the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption.

1951

We open a veterinary clinic in Kowloon; the first-ever in this populous area of Hong Kong.

1952

We open our new headquarters in Beaconsfield Arcade, Queens Road Central.

1959

We organise a Pet Show on 15 September, where children show-off their pets and learn how to care for them.

1960

We set up cat boxes outside HKSPCA centres and in public places for people to place unwanted cats and kittens, rather than abandoning them on the streets.

1964

The HKSPCA is officially recognised by the RSPCA UK. Our headquarters is relocated from Central to a new site on Harcourt Road near the harbourfront in Wan Chai.

1966

The Dorothy McGregor Clinic is established in our Harcourt Road headquarters.

1967

After three years of construction work funded by The Jockey Club, our Kowloon Centre opens on 29 November.

Economic Development

1971

In January, HKSPCA appeals to the government to provide more dog latrines to meet growing needs. To promote animal welfare in Hong Kong, we translate existing animal protection laws into Chinese, and print and distribute leaflets to pet shops and farms.

1972

We begin offering dog grooming and “bed and breakfast” dog-boarding services for owners unable to take care of their pets for a short period of time.

1974

Discovered by an HKSPCA inspector and a police officer during an investigation in November, a villager who is keeping more than 100 cats and dogs on his property in Lam Hau Village in Yuan Long is harged with animal negligence and fined $1,000.

1975

After five years of warnings and lobbying by the HKSPCA, the government prosecutes Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park, forcing it to provide sufficient living space for its animals.

1977

We are equipped with an emergency rescue vehicle for the first time.

1978

The prefix “Royal” is granted.

1979

Our first full-time veterinary surgeon, Dr. Cynthia Smilie, is hired.

1982

We help fight the second rabies pandemic by providing vaccinations for more than 6,000 dogs and providing more education for the public.

1983

The Lenore Nell Winfield Clinic in Cheung Chau and our Centre/Clinic in Sai Kung opens.

1985

We open a Centre/Clinic in Hong Lok Yuen, Tai Po.

1986

The first of its kind in Asia “Watson’s Dog Walk”, raises HK$100,000 to expand our services further to the New Territories.

Our Chief Inspector Graham Cheng is appointed as our first full-time Educator, to spread animal welfare knowledge to the police, schools, and youth organisations. He also authors the widely-distributed booklet: “Who Cares? The Story of the RSPCA in Hong Kong.”

1987

Our first mobile veterinary clinic, The Sir Robert Ho Tung Animal Welfare Unit, is launched, allowing New Territories residents on-site access to veterinary services.

1989

We change our official Chinese name to emphasise our work is more than about preventing animal cruelty, it is also about improving animal care.

Progression

1990

Daniel Jones from the British RSPCA arrives as the Chief Officer of our Inspectorate to implement reforms to the Inspectorate.

We temporarily move from our Harcourt Road headquarters to a series of Portacabins on a site at the junction of Harcourt Road and Fenwick Pier Street as the Harcourt Road headquarters is heavily worn down.

We begin to step-up efforts to promote animal birth control as a key welfare measure.

1992

Located in Wanchai, The Jockey Club Pamela D. Barton Animal Welfare Centre, which is also our current headquarters, is officially opened.

1996

Our lobbying efforts are unsuccessful in halting the Hong Kong Housing Authority’s decision to rigidly enforce a previously unenforced ban of pets in public housing. This results in residents abandoning nearly 2,000 dogs in a two-month period, overwhelming all our Centres.

1997

We officially change our name to “Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Hong Kong”, dropping the “Royal” prefix.

1999

Our Homing Department is established.

2000

In August, we introduce the Cat Colony Care Programme (CCCP) and the first “Trap, Neuter, Release” project in Asia, to bring Hong Kong a step closer to being a “No Kill” city for animals.

2001

Our new Kowloon Centre is opened on 24 February. With backing from the Bo Bo Fund, we open an Animal Welfare Centre in Mui Wo, Lantau Island in August.

In May, we host Asia’s first international animal welfare conference called “Asia for Animal”, partnering with the Asia Animal Foundation and International Fund for Animal Welfare

2002

Our Animal Welfare Vehicle begins operation in September, providing low-cost desexing services for pets in remote villages in the New Territories.

2003

We and other animal concern groups successfully lobby the Housing Authority to grant temporary permission allowing more than 13,000 qualified dogs to remain with their owners in public housing. With funding from Extra Trading Company, we open our Mong Kok Adopt-a-Pet Centre in March.

2005

We launch the Community Dog Programme (CDP) to increase responsible dog ownership, improve dog welfare and regulate the population of “loosely owned” and homeless dogs in Hong Kong.

2006

Responding to lobbying by SPCA and other animal welfare groups, the government introduces a rule in April that requires all dogs for sale in pet shops to be implanted with microchips. On 6 December, the maximum penalty for animal cruelty is increased to $200,000 and 3 years’ imprisonment.

In May, we launch the Spay Neuter Assistance Programme (SNAP) to assist pet owners with financial difficulties have their pets desexed at a cash discount.

2007

The Human Education Package developed by our Education department is officially launched, and made available to use in the school curriculum, aiming to develop the younger generation’s care and love for animals.

2008

In September, we establish the Mongrel Adoption Centre in Sai Kung, which features an interior designed by G.O.D., inspired by Hong Kong’s traditional buildings.

2009

In July, we launch an adapted version of our Humane Education package for schools in mainland China. In September, we provide support to the drafting of the Animal Protection Act in mainland China, when it is released for public review.

Present

2012

We commence operation of our Adoption centre “The Barking Lot” in Stanley on 11 September.

2013

Our Fairview Park Centre in Yuen Long begins official operation on 25 October.

We launch the “Boycott the Bad Breeder” campaign to educate the public about the cruelty of bad breeding and urge the government and Legislative Council to pass amendments to the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Trading and Breeding) Regulations (Cap. 139B) to regulate the canine pet breeding industry.

2014

We launch the free-of-charge Mongrel Desexing Programme and the Mission Zero campaign to pledge for the public’s help to stop animal suffering.

2015

We conduct a government-approved Trap-Neuter-Return trial on the outlying islands. We and 21 animal welfare and concern groups form the Stop Illegal Animal Traps Alliance on 2 March.

2016

Our land use application for building a new education and welfare hub in Tsing Yi is approved by the Town Planning Board.

We open an education and homing centre in Shenzhen to promote animal welfare in mainland China more effectively and directly.

2017

Beginning 20 March, all dog breeding activities in Hong Kong - by both commercial breeders and private pet owners - are regulated through a licensing system for the first time. Our Shenzhen centre implements a “Trap, Neuter, Release” programme with the support of vets from Hong Kong, reducing the number of animals with behaviour issues by 30 per cent.

2018

Years of work by the SPCA and conservation groups are rewarded when, in a major step forward, the government amends the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (CAP 586) – dramatically increasing penalties from 1 May. The same amendment will eventually lead to a ban of the ivory trade in Hong Kong. With Hong Kong sadly recognised as a major hub for illegal wildlife trading, this will have a global impact on animal protection at a species and individual level.