Government data shows more than 100,000 people have left Hong Kong already this year
...in part because residents have become increasingly frustrated with the city’s zero-covid policy.
[Eva Sit, Hong Kong Dog Rescue]
“Whether they are local people who are going to start their new life in somewhere else, or they are expats who have to go back to their hometown, or be relocated to somewhere else.”
Because of Hong Kong’s tough quarantine requirements, airlines have cut the number of flights to and from the city,
leaving people hoping to fly with their pets with fewer options, longer waiting lists and costs of up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Many have either chosen to or been forced to abandon their pets.
Shelters are overwhelmed.
This dog shelter alone is taking in double the amount of dogs a month and is running out of space.
Pet Export Vet – a pet travel agency – said it received three to four times more inquiries in the past two to three months and has temporarily stopped accepting bookings.
Hong Kong had a net outflow of more than 71,000 people in February and 40,000 people so far in March.
What’s not known, is how many intend to return.