Over 900 Hong Kong restaurants welcome dogs on first day of pet-licensing scheme
Thirty-year ban enacted to protect against rabies ends as happy customers and their canines dine together at licensed venues
More than 900 restaurants and eateries in Hong Kong opened their doors to customers with dogs on the first day of a scheme allowing canines into restaurants, marking the end of a 30-year ban enacted to protect against rabies.
Chinese restaurants, fast food chains and coffee shops on Thursday welcomed their first groups of customers with dogs, although some owners were left disappointed after being turned away by some licensed premises that said they needed more time to prepare.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department received over 2,100 applications for the scheme, more than double the initial quota of 1,000 places. Ultimately, 940 restaurants and eateries received permits, ending the need for some operators to rely on “grey areas” such as outdoor zones.
At The Wai shopping centre, Chinese restaurant Canton House saw a steady stream of pet owners throughout the morning.
Isabella Chow, a 58-year-old homemaker, arrived with her three poodles in a pram, saying she was “very happy” to finally be able to dine indoors with them and that she had long been looking for a pet-friendly place for dim sum.
“I have always wanted to have dim sum with them. In the past, there weren’t many places to have dim sum indoors with dogs. My dream has come true.”
Chow said she had thought through the practical details to ensure other patrons were not bothered.