Canine carer Sally Andersen to the rescue
Sally Anderson has 500 dogs under her care as the founder of Hong Kong Dog Rescue
Most of Hong Kong’s visitors arrive by plane or train, but Briton Sally Andersen came by yacht after sailing from Taiwan with a friend.
That was 1984. Andersen, like countless other expatriates who’ve come to these shores, was staying for six months before continuing her travels. Nearly 30 years later, and Andersen hasn’t left Hong Kong since 2006. She has 500 dogs under her care as the founder of Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR).
The organisation, launched in 2003, takes in rescued dogs and those that would be put down at Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department pounds.
It’s not an easy life for Andersen. There always seems to be a crisis and she’s long since learned to take each day as it comes and not worry about what might happen tomorrow.
Andersen holds two puppies at the education centre in Ap Lei Chau. Soon after they are picked up by a young woman, their new owner.
Andersen briskly explains to the rather overwhelmed woman the instructions for the deworming formula, the food and general care for the first few weeks. Then she smiles and tells her just to get through the first week and then a volunteer will visit to check up on the pups.
“There are a couple of thousand volunteers,” says Andersen, and the far fewer, but dedicated, hardcore helpers who come in several times a week to walk and play with the dogs.
