Before you buy a pet, check the shop is licensed

This guide is ours, not legal advice. AFCD and the Hong Kong e-Legislation text are the authority.

1. Selling animals needs a licence

A business that sells animals in Hong Kong needs an Animal Trader Licence from AFCD; breeding and selling dogs needs a Dog Breeder Licence. The rules are in the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Trading and Breeding) Regulations (Cap. 139B).

2. Check the list, then ask to see the licence

AFCD publishes a Licensed Pet Shops List; we list its 150 licensed pet shops by district. The list only includes shops that agreed to be listed. If a shop isn't on it, AFCD asks you to call 2150 7055 to check its licence, and you can ask to see the licence in the shop.

3. Buying a dog: microchip and origin

Dogs aged five months or more must be licensed, microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, which you can do at an AFCD animal management or inoculation centre. Ask the seller for the dog's origin and microchip number; AFCD explains the rules on its dog licence page.

4. Consider adopting

As AFCD's list itself says, buying is not the only option: many healthy, good-natured animals are waiting for adoption.

5. Suspect unlicensed selling?

Report it to AFCD through 1823.