何謂寵物友善城市？寵物也是城市空間「使用者」!｜Fostering Pet-Friendly Cities: Understanding Pets as Active Participants in Urban Spaces
常言道「狗是人類最好的朋友」，但平日出門時，你又有否留意到牠們的身影？而包括狗在内的其他寵物，又是怎樣使用不同城市空間呢？本月的吉人吉事將關注這群近在咫尺，但又常被忽略的城市空間「使用者」。相比其他出沒於城市邊陲的動物，以貓狗為首的寵物與我們的日常生活更為貼近，亦更常在不同城市空間出現：大至公共空間和街道，小至公共交通和住屋，其實都不難找到牠們的足跡。隨著飼養寵物的風氣日漸普及，創造能夠讓寵物與人類和諧共處的空間更顯得重要。但是，目前香港在推行寵物友善空間的表現又如何呢？而怎樣的規劃和設計，才能造就寵物友善城市呢？
全港至少一成住戶養寵物 我城對寵物友善嗎？
本港的寵物種類繁多。除了常見的貓、狗、鳥類和魚類，當中更包括鱷龜、蛇、鬣蜥、蜜袋鼯、蠍子等瀕危且不適合於家中飼養的珍禽異獸 [1]。根據統計署2019年的主題研究，全港有近24萬住戶在家中飼養貓狗，平均每約10個家庭便有一戶有養貓狗，分別飼養約22萬隻狗和18萬隻貓。如果連同放養的「看門狗」、居於店鋪和攤檔的「鋪頭貓」、鳥類及其他未被正式統計的寵物 [2]，全港寵物數量應該遠超40萬隻。可見，寵物已是我城重要一員。
目前，不同政府部門均有就寵物推行相關政策和措施，但大多以保障動物福利及管理角度 (animal welfare and management) 出發，强調人類除了有責任滿足動物在營養、環境、健康、行爲和心理狀態此五方面的基本需要，還要妥善管理動物，避免造成滋擾和公共衛生問題，以達至「人和動物和諧共處」的狀態。在此框架下，目前的寵物友善措施側重於防止虐待動物、規管售賣和繁育寵物、寵物領養及公衆教育四方面。然而，現時的空間配套又充分滿足到寵物的需要嗎？
住所難覓 出門困難 容得下寵物嗎？
香港人口密度高，不少屋苑爲了避免產生環境衛生及滋擾問題而禁止住戶養狗。現時，除部分於2003年之前已飼養於公屋單位内的犬隻、服務犬，以及經醫生證明是「精神支柱」的伴侶犬外，房屋委員會轄下 238 條公共屋邨一律禁止養狗，違者可被終止租約，收回單位。至於私人屋苑方面，亦有近九成二 [3] 列明禁止飼養寵物。居住空間的限制無疑成爲不少寵物主人的夢魘，而因「收地」、「上樓」而選擇忍痛棄養寵物的個案亦屢見不鮮。事實上，根據統計署在2019年有關港人飼養貓狗情況的調查，有近5% 寵物主人曾因寵物長大以致地方不足夠飼養牠們、寵物經常吠叫或滋擾鄰居等原因而考慮棄養寵物。
在住屋以外，攜帶寵物出門亦有不少限制。就公共交通工具爲例，目前只有19條渡輪航線容許乘客攜帶寵物，而乘客除了需要事先登記，亦要確保寵物全程受控，例如以牽引帶控制狗隻，又或將其放於籠或袋内。而部分航線亦規定寵物只可停留在非空調客艙。至於專營巴士和港鐵，則因相關法例規管，以及客流量多而不容許乘客攜帶寵物。因此，若主人要攜帶寵物外出、前往就醫等，可乘坐的公共交通工具相當有限，只能自行駕駛，又或依靠的士及其他電召服務。
寵物友善風潮起 攜寵可進商場公園
與此同時，近年不少場地均開始推出寵物友善設施及服務，方便公衆帶同寵物出門。就以商場為例，綜合數個刊載「寵物好去處」的網站和寵物相關資訊平台，全港有 50 個標榜或被評為寵物友善的商場 [4]。然而，就算是同樣標榜寵物友善的場地，它們對於寵物入内的規範亦不盡相同，而相關服務和設施亦各有千秋。此外，有些場地並沒有在其官方網頁或社交媒體列明寵物相關使用守則。即使有不少整合本港「寵物好去處」的網頁和社交平台，不同網頁的資訊時有出入，亦不一定會定期更新，所以部分寵物主人或需參考其他用戶的分享來計劃出門行程。
商場以外，市民也可以使用康樂及文化事務署轄下 52 個寵物公園和 175 個寵物共享公園。前者是專門為寵物而設的場地，內裡有狗糞收集箱、洗手設備等便利寵物主人的設施，同時加設圍欄和雙重閘門以防走失，但就將寵物與其他公共空間使用者分隔開來。後者的出發點則正正相反，目的是將目前禁止寵物入内的公園「轉型」為寵物與市民均可享用的地方，但就未必如寵物公園般設有寵物專用設施及配套，而部分公園只開放指定位置作寵物共享公園之用，而非整個場地。
與其强行隔離人和寵物 不如以設計造就更共融空間？
誠然，保持環境衛生、妥善管教寵物乃主人之責任，而公衆對於居住環境、外出體驗的擔憂，以及空間營運者對於額外管理風險和成本的考量亦不無道理。然而，就目前的寵物相關措施及規例而言，即使寵物主人既有公德心又規矩地帶寵物出門，仍有不少不便之處。這不禁令人反思，在全面禁止飼養寵物、隔離人和寵物之外，又會否有其他出路？而在空間設計，甚至是城市規劃上，又會否有方法可以減少寵物與人之間的衝突，以至是促進人和寵物之間的正面互動？
註:
[1] 根據 ADM Capital Foundation 有關香港珍禽異獸貿易的研究報告，珍禽異獸包括小型哺乳類動物(例如兔、囓齒類、雪貂、刺猬)、鳥類、爬行類、兩棲類、及節肢動物。
[2] 統計署自2006年8月出版的《主題性住戶統計調查第二十六號報告書》後，並沒有在其後有關飼養寵物的主題研究中統計龜、雀鳥、倉鼠、兔子及其他寵物的數量。截至2006年8月，連同狗、貓、龜、雀鳥、倉鼠、兔子及其他寵物，香港共有524,900隻寵物，當中近七成半為狗、貓和龜。
[3] 截至2024年8月19日，美聯物業資料庫所刊載的17,837個屋苑之中，只有1,378個屋苑（約8%）沒有禁止住戶飼養寵物。換言之，有16,459個屋苑，即近九成二禁止飼養寵物。有關個別屋苑有關飼養動物的條款，請參閲相關大廈公契。
[4] 各商場之寵物友善措施整合至以下來源：
部分資料以英文撰寫，如有歧異，皆以原文英文版為準。
Pets, particularly dogs, are often regarded as our closest companions. Yet, have you ever considered their interaction within urban environments? From parks to public transport, pets like cats and dogs are integral parts of city life, contrasting with wildlife on the outskirts. With pet ownership on the rise, the need for harmonious urban spaces accommodating both pets and humans is paramount. How does Hong Kong measure up in creating truly pet-friendly environments? What planning and design strategies are essential for fostering a pet-friendly city?
One in ten families in Hong Kong have pets: is our city pet-friendly?
In Hong Kong, the spectrum of pets extends beyond conventional cats and dogs to encompass birds, fish, and even exotic companions such as alligator snapping turtles, snakes, iguanas, sugar gliders, and scorpions [1]. According to the Thematic Household Survey conducted by the Census and Statistics Department in 2019, approximately 240,000 households in Hong Kong are home to cats and dogs, translating to about one in ten families. When accounting for guard dogs, shop cats, and other uncounted pets [2], the total pet population is estimated to surpass 400,000, underscoring their significant presence in the urban landscape.
Various government departments have established policies and measures focusing on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, emphasising the holistic care of pets to meet their nutritional, environmental, health, behavioural, and psychological needs. They also stress on the owners’ responsibility to properly care for pets to avoid nuisance issues or risks to public health. The overall goal is to achieve harmonious balance between humans and animals.
Within this framework, current pet-friendly efforts revolve around four key areas: preventing animal abuse, regulating pet sale and breeding, promoting pet adoption, and enhancing education. While these endeavours aim to safeguard pets’ well-being, a question remains as to whether the currently available facilities and infrastructure can fully accommodate the needs of pets.
Navigating housing restrictions and venturing outside with pets: can pets truly have a place in the city?
The high population density in Hong Kong translates into stringent housing regulations that prohibit pet ownership in a majority of housing estates to mitigate nuisance concerns and safeguard public health. The Housing Authority, for instance, prohibits dog ownership in all 238 public housing estates, with exceptions made for specific cases such as pre-2003 dog owners, service dogs, and certified emotional support dogs. Violations of these regulations can lead to tenancy termination and unit repossession. Similarly, around 92% of private housing estates state bans on pet keeping [3], heightening challenges for pet owners grappling with spatial constraints.
Housing space limitations no doubt become a nightmare for many pet owners, and there are cases of owners reluctantly giving up pets due land resumption or moving home. In fact, according to the 2019 Thematic Household Surveys, nearly 5% of pet owners had considered giving up their pets before due to reasons such as space limitation and noise disturbances.
Apart from housing space limitations, there are also many restrictions on bringing pets outdoors. Currently only 19 ferry routes permit passengers to travel with pets, and passengers need to register in advance and adhere to control measures throughout the entire journey, such as keeping dogs on leashes or in cages/bags. Some routes also require pets to only stay in non-air-conditioned passenger cabins. As for franchised buses and the MTR, pet-carrying is prohibited due to legislation constraints and high passenger volumes. Consequently, with the limited mobility options, pet owners often resort to self-driving or taxi services when venturing outdoors with their pets for medical appointments or recreational outings.
Opening up public spaces to pets as pet-friendly trends emerge and grow
Recent years have witnessed a surge in pet-friendly amenities and services across various venues to facilitate outdoor ventures with pets. Noteworthy examples include shopping malls, with at least 50 malls in Hong Kong advertised or rated as pet-friendly. [4]. However, they all have different rules regarding pet entry, and their relevant services and facilities also vary widely. Additionally, some venues do not explicitly state pet usage guidelines on their official websites or social media. Such disparities underscore the need for standardised guidelines and improved information dissemination to the public and pet owners.
Apart from malls, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has currently opened up 52 pet gardens and 175 inclusive parks for pets. While pet gardens are tailored venues equipped with amenities like dog waste collection bins, hand washing facilities, fences and double gates, inclusive parks aim to transform pet-prohibited spaces into shared environments for pets and the public. However, the extent of pet-specific amenities in these parks varies, with some only designating specific areas for pet use rather than offering comprehensive pet facilities.
Rethinking urban design for inclusive coexistence between pets and people
While pet owners bear the responsibility of maintaining environmental hygiene and disciplining their pets, concerns over living environments, outdoor experiences, and operational complexities cannot be dismissed. Despite conscientious pet ownership practices, pet owners encounter significant challenges in navigating urban spaces with their pets. This prompts a critical reflection on existing pet regulations and measures, raising the question of alternative approaches beyond outright bans or segregation.
In terms of spatial design and planning, what else can we do to foster inclusive coexistence between pets and people to create integrated spaces that cater to the needs of both pets and humans within urban landscapes?
Remarks:
[1] According to the research report on exotic bird and animal trade in Hong Kong conducted by ADM Capital Foundation, exotic pets includes small mammals (i.e., rabbits, rodents, ferrets, hedgehogs), birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods.
[2] Since the publication of the 26th Thematic Household Survey conducted by the Census and Statistics Department in August 2006, there has been no further statistical research on the number of turtles, pet birds, hamsters, rabbits, and other pets in subsequent studies on pet ownership. As of August 2006, Hong Kong had a total of 524,900 pets, with nearly 70% being dogs, cats, and turtles.
[3] As of August 19, 2024, among the 17,837 housing estates listed in the Midland database, only 1,378 estates (approximately 8%) do not prohibit residents from keeping pets. In other words, 16,459 estates, nearly 92%, prohibit pet ownership. For terms regarding keeping animals in individual estates, please refer to the relevant building deeds.
[4] Pet-friendly measures in various malls are consolidated from the following sources:
Official websites of each mall
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