KE Stories

Animals Get Long-Overdue Protection

Ms Whitfort’s pioneering work to improve the legislative protection of animals is far from over.

'Review of Animal Welfare Legislation in Hong Kong'

Ms Amanda Whitfort's research provided the first and, to date, only empirical study of the adequacy of animal protection legislation in Hong Kong and was used by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the HKSAR Government to introduce new legislation controlling the breeding and sale of companion animals in Hong Kong with the enactment of the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Animal Traders) Regulations 2016. Ms Whitfort received the University’s Knowledge Exchange Excellence Award 2016 for this project.

Hong Kong Seeks to Update Animal Welfare Laws to International Standards

A 2010 review of animal welfare legislation done by The University of Hong Kong highlighted inadequacies in Hong Kong's out-of-date animal protection laws and recommended a more humane approach in line with international guidelines and practices. While it is a long, complicated process to amend laws, the 2010 review has received widespread support for the introduction of an animal welfare-friendly policy reflecting the authors' recommendations.

Making the Case for Animal Welfare

Hong Kong may be an advanced economy and boast of being "Asia's World City", but when it comes to protecting animal welfare, it is in many ways rooted in a deep, dark past.