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Pets
This Week in AsiaOpinion
Neil Newman
Neil Newman

Abacus | How much is that doggy in the coronavirus lockdown? If it’s HK$56,000, think twice

  • Prices of pedigree and popular breeds have more than doubled amid coronavirus lockdowns, with exploitation and dog thefts soaring too
  • Investors can get in on the global pet boom, or simply invest in a new buddy for life – but consider a rescue from an animal shelter, writes Neil Newman

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Bella, a puppy dumped at a shelter in Lantau, Hong Kong. Rescue animals are just as loyal and loving as expensive pets, but are free to a good home. Photo: Neil Newman
Neil Newman

THE ONE WITH THE WAGGLY TAIL

It is that time of year when Hongkongers can get back at us gweilos for making them suffer through months of tedious Christmas music in the shops, replacing it with – arguably equally painful – traditional Chinese tunes as we hunt for seasonal gifts.

Thankfully, giving pets as gifts never caught on in this part of the world. Rather, when visiting family and friends, confectionery, chocolates and Lai See are the norm – though I’m reliably informed that a puppy may pop up on Valentine’s Day, which is the last day of this year’s Lunar New Year weekend.

In the UK, however, giving puppies as seasonal presents was once a major issue, until a national TV campaign sought to stem the tide of abandoned dogs overwhelming shelters once the holidays were over and owners realised that a pet for Christmas was a mistake. But now, there is a new problem, framed by the old slogan “a dog is for life, not just for [Christmas] lockdown”.

The coronavirus lockdowns in the UK have had a major impact on the supply of pets and their prices. Bored of being stuck at home with only Netflix for company, many people have taken in a four-legged new best friend, and prices have escalated.

A positive outcome is that pups that were languishing in shelters have been snapped up, free of charge, and strays are now being shipped in from as far away as Spain, Turkey, Cyprus and Eastern Europe.

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