The Animal Management & Animal Welfare Building Complex has commenced operation, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department announced today.

The complex in Kai Tak houses about 270 animal-keeping facilities to receive stray animals or animals surrendered by their owners, more than double the number of the former To Kwa Wan site. There are also more animal quarantine facilities to shorten the waiting time for people booking quarantine facilities for imported animals.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan said that with the new complex, the department will further enhance its effectiveness in protecting and promoting animal welfare, controlling local animal diseases, safeguarding public health and implementing animal management measures.

Mr Tse also announced at the ceremony that the department has reached a consensus with Macau on the quarantine arrangements of imported cats and dogs.

From December 1, the quarantine period of cats and dogs imported from Macau will be reduced from 120 days to 30 days, provided that they meet the requirements for rabies vaccination and rabies antibody titre testing. Together with shortening the 15-month waiting period for quarantine facilities, the time required for quarantine arrangements will be significantly cut down.

The department will announce the details on November 26.

“The new measures uphold the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s principles of stringently controlling rabies, while using technology to address public demands. I look forward to gradually extending the new arrangements to other regions, further helping pet owners to bring their cats and dogs to Hong Kong,” the ecology chief said.

The department added that the Kowloon Animal Management Centre at the complex started operation in late July to provide dog vaccination and licensing services, while divisions responsible for animal welfare and animal disease testing will gradually relocate to the Kai Tak complex.

Animal welfare talks and public education activities will also be held at the complex to promote animal welfare to the public.