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Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR): adopting from the original no-kill shelter

HKDR's two homing centres (Ap Lei Chau and Tai Po), the adoption questionnaire, Sunday puppy meet-and-greets at Whiskers N Paws, and what to know about the no-kill promise.

Source: Hong Kong Dog Rescue — official website ↗
Harbour view typical of HKDR outreach events

Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) has been working since 2003 and is the original no-kill dog rescue in Hong Kong. They run entirely on private donations, merchandise, and fundraisers, and have rehomed more than 10,000 dogs to date. They are also an AFCD-partner Animal Welfare Organisation and hold animal-trader-licence exemption ORG-00001.

Two homing centres you can actually visit

  • Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre — G/F, 13-15 Wai Fung Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong (mailing address).
  • Tai Po Homing Centre — 6 Shek Lin Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong.

Opening hours are 10:00–17:00 daily at both centres. General enquiries: info@hongkongdogrescue.com. Drop in any day — there are usually around 500 dogs waiting for a home at any one time.

The adoption questionnaire

There is no online “book a dog” form. HKDR wants you to start with the Adoption Questionnaire, which acts as a matching survey. Once approved, the team introduces you to dogs that fit your household.

Puppies

HKDR always has puppies of all ages — profiles are kept off the main Dogs page because puppies change too fast. The reliable way to meet puppies is:

  • Whiskers N Paws, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau — every Sunday, 14:00–17:00.
  • Any other day by arrangement — call ahead.

If you have very young children, HKDR explicitly recommends a slightly older puppy (around 5 months) so baby teeth have come in and play-biting is past. Puppies grow — size is not guaranteed even from a small puppy.

The reality check

HKDR is unusually candid on this. From the Adopt page:

“Adoption is a lifelong commitment and dogs often live until they are around 15 years old. If you have any hesitation in making a promise to keep a dog until the end of its days, please DO NOT adopt.”

If you are not ready for that, HKDR will route you to fostering instead. The Post-Adoption Support page is also active — use it.

Sponsorship and other ways in

You don’t have to adopt to support HKDR. They run:

  • Life Saver Club — monthly sponsorship of a specific dog.
  • Vet Fund donations for dogs needing surgery.
  • Wedding favours / 100-day celebration donations in lieu of gifts.

See the Donate page for the full list.

Visiting tips

  • Wear closed shoes. Kennels are working floors.
  • Get there early on Sundays. Whispers N Paws puppy hours get crowded by 16:00.
  • Bring your resident dog. HKDR encourages resident-dog meet-and-greets at the Ap Lei Chau centre for both cats and dogs.
  • Budget for the first week. Crate, lead, food transition, first vet visit — adoptions are cheap at the charity, the rest is not.

Continue with the hyperlinked hub guide, or jump to SPCA Hong Kong for the alternative city-centre option.