寵物友善城市：推動人寵和諧共融 從你我做起｜Pet-Friendly Cities: A Shared Responsibility
先前兩篇吉事從城市空間及規劃層面出發，透過檢視不同場地的寵物相關規範、配套和服務，團隊留意到不同場地對寵物的接受程度不一，往往是出於對公共衛生、滋擾、安全及人流管理的考量。而要提升本港整體的寵物友善程度，除了可從空間規劃入手，或許更要從根本上解決各種與「人」有關的困阻。從過往推行寵物友善措施時所遇到的反對意見，乃至是居民間因寵物而起的爭執可見，癥結不止在於個別寵物主人不負責任的行為、市民對衛生、安全、滋擾的擔憂，還與部分人視「動物為低人一等的畜生」的觀念有關。比起將寵物視為城市空間「使用者」，更多時是將牠們和衛生、滋擾問題劃上等號。久而久之，不少人傾向認為禁止寵物是應對這些潛在問題的最佳方法。
隨著寵物數量持續上升、市民大眾的動物福利意識明顯增強，全面禁止寵物早已變得不合時宜，亦不利解決棄養、流浪動物等問題。包括香港在內的不少城市都開始透過不同手法，在保障市民大眾的同時，加強對寵物主人的規範，並嘗試以公眾教育等方法，從根本上改變大眾對寵物的印象，長遠推動寵物與人類和諧共處。由禁止到共融，當中不免磨合和協商，亦需要配合不同策略。在本篇，團隊將從飼養寵物之規範、公眾教育，及民間倡議等方向出發，了解香港在這方面目前的進度，同時對照海外城市同類措施，看看會否有可仿效的地方。
以規例為起點 確立寵物主人基本責任 保障市民和寵物
在保障動物福利 (animal welfare) 的法律之上，不少城市均有就特定寵物類別或品種，制定額外規例列明寵物主人的責任，以保障公眾安全和衛生。因應不同城市的特點，這些規例的嚴格程度或有不同，但大致可歸納為以下幾類：
傳染病防控、保持公眾地方清潔、防止寵物（常見於狗隻）傷人等相關規例
管制或禁止飼養特定品種的寵物，尤其是格鬥或危險狗隻。
登記及申領寵物牌照，例如為寵物植入晶片，以辨認主人身分，在寵物走失或遭不當對待時追究責任
不少城市亦會合併以上數項措施以加強執行力。以本港為例，狗隻的牌照簽發程序中包括為植入晶片和注射預防狂犬病疫苗。而寵物主人每三年為狗隻續牌的時候，亦必須為其重新注疫苗，否則可被罰款。不過，根據統計署2019年的主題研究，仍有分別約百分之六的狗主和將近四分一貓隻主人沒有定期為其寵物作定期防疫注射或杜蟲，可見還有不少改善空間。
此外，亦有部分城市將針對寵物主人及寵物的強制培訓課程納入規例的一環。例如，新加坡和台北均要求寵物主人必須完成網上課程，方可為寵物申領牌照或領養寵物。而瑞士蘇黎世市政府新修訂的「狗法案」 (Hundegesetzgebung) 更規定，市內所有八週至八歲大之犬隻需接受不少於10節訓練課程。不過，本港暫時並未劃一就領養或飼養寵物要求寵物主人接受培訓。雖然部分動物福利團體會在其領養守則中加入相關要求，或為領養人提供課程報讀優惠等後續支援服務，但截至2019年，仍有近百分之五的貓或狗隻主人曾考慮棄養寵物，而近年因移民等原因而遺棄寵物的個案亦屢見不鮮，反映本港或有必要仿效其他城市，提高飼養寵物的門檻，以減少棄養等不負責任行為。
另外，包括香港及新加坡在內的部分高密度城市，亦有就公營房屋等特定場所，限制市民飼養寵物。但隨著市民大眾對寵物的態度改變、社會整體的動物福利意識提升，這些規範亦會有所修訂。其中一例便是新加坡時隔34年終於廢除的「組屋禁貓令」。為避免流浪貓數量大增，當局同時推出「貓隻管理框架」(Cat Management Framework)，當中包括強制貓隻登記及絕育等輔助措施。可見，放寬公營住宅的寵物飼養規範已是大勢所趨，而在其他高密度城市亦有先例可循。本港亦可參考新加坡的做法，基於公眾諮詢和研究，引入試驗計劃，讓公屋居民可以飼養寵物，並透過增設相關配套、輔助措施，循序漸進地推行寵物友善住屋政策。
懂與寵物「街坊」相處
遵守以上規例只是寵物主人的基本責任，要讓寵物和家人、鄰居和諧共處，主人亦要主動留意家居環境、寵物性格等因素，並在需要時尋求寵物行為醫學等專業協助。而作為社區的一員，沒有養寵物的市民亦應學懂與這群寵物「街坊」相處。喜歡寵物與否，日常生活中不免會遇到牠們。對寵物有一定程度的認識可避免因不當行為而被牠們弄傷，亦可減少誤解和衝突。而要達到這個效果，便要靠公眾教育。目前，本港負責相關事宜的部門為漁農自然護理署（漁護署）和警務處。前者主要透過定期活動，例如主題講座、寵物領養日、宣傳短片和刊物等方式推廣動物福利。後者同樣有舉辦教育和宣傳活動，但其主要目的為打擊虐待動物、情報收集及調查等工作。不過，這些公眾教育活動的成效仍有待確認。繼漁護署在2010年進行的《飼養貓狗意見調查》之後，近年並無其他反映市民的動物福利意識、對寵物的接受程度的全港性調查。而單從相關活動的參加人數、殘酷對待動物案件數量等量化指標，亦難以直接評估現行公眾教育活動的效益。若要制定更具針對性的公眾教育策略，更應深入了解市民大眾對寵物的取態，方可拆解現行寵物相關政策的癥結，並以此為制定和調整長遠寵物友善措施和公眾教育之根據。
除講座等較傳統的宣導方式外，亦有了以兒童為對象、校園為本的公眾教育活動，希望小朋友在親身接觸動物的過程中，建立飼養寵物的正確觀念，培養動物福利意識。本港近年亦有推行類似計劃，部分學校更主動和動物福利機構合作，在校內建立義務貓舍。這些都是值得肯定的嘗試，長遠而言亦有進一步擴大計劃規模的潛力。例如，可參考蘇黎世和台北等地的校園教育計劃，聯合不同政府部門、動物福利機構及專業人士等，以跨界別合作的形式，為學校提供資助和培訓，使動物福利教育、校園寵物等計劃變得常規化，甚至成為課程的一部分。
校園之外，公眾教育也可以在生活場所中進行。台灣的「浪浪別哭」是一家結合流浪寵物暫托和領養的咖啡店。相對於偏僻的收容所，咖啡店更能造就寵物與人接觸的機會，亦有利於寵物的社會化訓練。開店八年間，「浪浪別哭」已成功為至少1200隻寵物找到新主人。這種體制外的教育渠道，或許是值得本港嘗試的新方向。
民間自發 連結社區 守望相助
近年，網上出現了不少民間經營的寵物相關資訊平台和群組。這些平台不僅是寵物主人與「同道中人」分享生活點滴、交換資訊的地方，也是宣揚寵物友善概念的另一渠道。隨著用戶人數增加，這些平台亦漸漸成為寵物主人與市民大眾，甚至是場地營運者之間的溝通橋樑。事實上，不少寵物主人在遇到針對寵物的不公平措施時都會借助這些平台發聲，尤其是當准許業戶飼養寵物的私人屋苑突然推行針對寵物條款時。雖然未必每次都成功，但這些案例都令更多人了解到他們的需要和難處，亦鼓勵了主人們更主動連結自身社區，齊心協力爭取應有權利。
改變需時 理性溝通 同理包容
無可否認，改變社會大眾對寵物的觀感、培養盡責寵物主人，並非一朝一夕所能達成。在逐步走向人寵共融的過程中，更需要帶著同理和包容，促成各持分者之間的持續溝通和協商，否則難以成事。尤其在投訴文化盛行的香港，不少立意良好的措施，往往在試行階段便因投訴而要擱置，實屬可惜。或許，改善人和寵物的關係就如寵物訓練一樣，需要以肯定和鼓勵，配合持之以恆的練習，才能發揮果效。
In previous articles, we analysed pet-friendly cities through the lens of urban planning, regulations, facilities, and services. Our findings revealed significant variations in how different cities accommodate pets. These differences often arise from concerns about public hygiene, safety, nuisance, and crowd management. However, enhancement of Hong Kong’s overall pet-friendliness via spatial planning is just one of many approaches; the root of the issue often lies in overcoming barriers related to people’s behaviours and attitudes.
The challenges faced during the implementation of pet-friendly policies and disputes over pet-related issues point to deeper societal issues. These challenges are not only caused by irresponsible pet ownership or public concerns about hygiene and safety but also by a mindset that views animals as "inferior beings." Pets are frequently associated with problems like nuisance rather than being recognised as legitimate "users" of urban spaces. As a result, many people see banning pets as the easiest way to solve these issues.
However, as pet ownership rises and awareness of animal welfare grows, blanket bans on pets are becoming less popular. Such prohibitions do little to address problems like pet abandonment or stray animals. Cities worldwide, including Hong Kong, are adopting new approaches to strike a balance between public interests and responsible pet ownership. Public education is playing a key role in reshaping perceptions of pets and fostering long-term harmony between humans and animals.
The shift from prohibition to coexistence requires negotiation and adaptation, combining multiple strategies. This article explores Hong Kong's progress in areas such as pet ownership regulations, public education, and community advocacy. We also compare these efforts with initiatives in other cities to identify best practices Hong Kong can adopt.
Defining Pet Owners' Responsibilities with Regulations to Protect the Welfare of Citizens and Pets
In addition to laws safeguarding animal welfare, many cities have implemented regulations for specific types or breeds of pets. These rules aim to clearly define pet owners' responsibilities, ensuring public safety and hygiene. While the strictness of these regulations varies depending on the context of each city, they generally fall into the following categories:
Infectious Disease Prevention and Public Cleanliness: Rules to limit disease transmission, maintain cleanliness, and prevent injuries caused by pets (especially dogs).
Control or Prohibition of Certain Breeds: Control or prohibition of certain breeds, especially fighting or dangerous dogs.
Pet Registration and Licensing: Requirements such as microchipping pets to identify the owner, enabling accountability in cases of lost pets or instances of neglect or mistreatment.
These measures establish the basic responsibilities of pet owners while protecting both the public and pets.
Many cities integrate multiple measures from the above to strengthen enforcement and improve pet ownership practices. For example, Hong Kong mandates microchipping and rabies vaccination for dogs as part of its licensing process. Dog owners must renew their licenses every three years, ensuring their pets receive booster vaccinations. Failure to comply can result in fines. Despite these requirements, a 2019 Census and Statistics Department study revealed that approximately 6% of dog owners and nearly 25% of cat owners in Hong Kong failed to provide regular vaccinations or deworming for their pets—indicating room for significant improvement.
In addition, some cities have introduced mandatory training programs for pet owners as part of their regulations. For instance, Singapore and Taipei require pet owners to complete online training courses before obtaining licenses or adopting pets. And Zurich’s latest "Dog Law" (Hundegesetzgebung) mandates at least 10 training sessions for dogs aged 8 weeks to 8 years. Hong Kong currently lacks standardised training requirements for pet ownership or adoption. While some animal welfare organisations integrate training into their adoption processes or provide subsidised courses, challenges persist. As of 2019, nearly 5% of pet owners in Hong Kong admitted to considering pet abandonment, a trend exacerbated by emigration in recent years. Introducing training requirements similar to those in other cities could reduce irresponsible behaviors like abandonment.
In densely populated cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, regulations often restrict pet ownership in specific spaces, such as public housing. However, evolving attitudes toward pets are prompting regulatory changes. Singapore, for instance, lifted its 34-year-old ban on cats in HDB flats through its "Cat Management Framework.", which includes mandatory sterilisation and registration to prevent an increase in stray cats. This trend of relaxing restrictions on pet ownership in public housing has set a precedent for other high-density cities. Hong Kong could adopt a similar approach by conducting public consultations and launching pilot programs to allow pets in public housing. By introducing supportive measures and facilities, Hong Kong could gradually implement pet-friendly housing policies, striking a balance between public needs and animal welfare.
Learning to Coexist with Pets
Regulations establish the baseline for responsible pet ownership, but true harmony between pet owners, their pets, and the community requires more. Pet owners must consider their home environment and their pets’ personalities and behaviors. When necessary, professional help, such as veterinary behavioral services, can be invaluable.
As members of the community, non-pet owners also have a role to play in learning how to coexist with their pet "neighbours". Whether or not one likes pets, encounters with them are inevitable in daily life. A basic understanding of pets can help prevent injuries caused by improper interactions and reduce misunderstandings and conflicts. Effective public education is essential to promote mutual understanding.
Currently, the responsibility for such efforts in Hong Kong lies with the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF). The AFCD promotes animal welfare through regular activities such as themed talks, pet adoption days, promotional videos, and publications. The HKPF also organises educational and awareness campaigns, but their primary focus is on combating animal cruelty, intelligence gathering, and investigations.
However, the effectiveness of these public education efforts remains uncertain. Since the AFCD conducted its "Thematic Dog and Cat Care Survey" in 2010, there have been no recent territory-wide surveys to assess public awareness of animal welfare or attitudes toward pets. Additionally, relying solely on quantitative indicators, such as participation numbers in related activities or the number of animal cruelty cases, makes it difficult to directly evaluate the impact of current public education campaigns. To develop more targeted public education strategies, it is essential to deepen the understanding of public attitudes toward pets. This would help address the root causes of challenges in existing pet-related policies and serve as a foundation for designing and refining long-term pet-friendly initiatives and education programs.
In addition to traditional awareness methods such as talks and lectures, there have been public education initiatives targeting children and based in schools. These programs aim to instill proper pet care values and foster animal welfare awareness through hands-on interaction with animals. In recent years, Hong Kong has launched similar initiatives. Some schools have even taken the initiative to collaborate with animal welfare organisations to establish voluntary cat shelters on campus. These efforts are commendable and demonstrate potential for scaling up in the long term. For instance, Hong Kong could take inspiration from school-based education programs in cities like Zurich and Taipei. Through cross-sector collaboration involving government departments, animal welfare organisations, and professionals, schools could receive funding and training to normalise animal welfare education. This could include school pets or similar initiatives, potentially integrating these programs into the curriculum itself.
Public education can also take place in everyday settings. A notable example is Taiwan's "Lang Lang Don't Cry" (「浪浪別哭」), a pet café that combines temporary shelter and adoption services for stray animals. Unlike traditional shelters in remote areas, a café setting creates more opportunities for human-animal interaction and helps socialise pets. Over eight years, the café has successfully facilitated adoptions for at least 1,200 pets. This type of alternative educational channel, outside traditional systems, could be a promising new approach for Hong Kong to explore.
Community-Driven Initiatives: Connecting and Supporting Each Other
In recent years, quite a number of pet-related online public platforms and groups have emerged. These platforms serve not only as spaces for pet owners to share their experiences and exchange information with like-minded individuals but also as channels for promoting the concept of pet-friendliness. As the number of users grows, these platforms are increasingly becoming communication bridges between pet owners, the general public, and even venue operators.
In fact, many pet owners turn to these platforms to voice their concerns when encountering unfair measures targeting pets—such as private housing estates that suddenly implement pet-restrictive policies despite previously allowing residents to keep pets. Although not all efforts succeed, these cases raise awareness of the challenges and needs of pet owners. They also encourage pet owners to connect more actively with their communities and work together to advocate for their rights.
Change Takes Time: Rational Communication, Empathy, and Understanding
Achieving harmonious coexistence between humans and pets is a gradual process that requires empathy, understanding, and sustained communication. In Hong Kong, where complaints often derail well-intentioned initiatives, building a pet-friendly culture will require patience and persistence. Just as pet training relies on positive reinforcement, fostering a pet-friendly city depends on encouragement, dialogue, and consistent effort.
你可能對以下吉人吉事有興趣:
You may also be interested in these GUTS Stories:
