The SPCA rules

[Sunfire]

We just went to get ourselves an overwhelmingly cute little 5 month old orange shorthair cat at the SPCA in Wan Chai. The people there are great, take the time to explain every detail and make sure the people receiving the animals are right for the task. Of course, can't complain about the very affordable pet supplies either

[nina_70]

Good for you! I've been a big supporter of the shelters (incl. SPCA) for years. Great organization. Enjoy your new kittie......

[c1000]

Congratulations on your new pet. I adopted my late dog from the SPCA and continue to support the organisation. I'm somewhat critical of their veterinary clinic, however. They have some excellent vets and one of them saved my dog's life on one occasion. But they have a large staff that includes some relatively inexperienced young doctors. When my dog grew older and developed more serious ailments, it became frustrating having to see different doctors who weren't familiar with his history. When he developed congestive heart failure, the vet at the SPCA prescribed some common heart medications and suggested that I shouldn't even bring him in for regular check-ups, as the stress might be too much.

Thankfully, I ignored this advice and switched to a private veterinary clinic. The new doctor conducted a battery of tests and found that the prescription wasn't appropriate for his particular condition. My dog lived another three years with his new course of meds and frequent check ups.

[MisterTanaka]

With a little advance planning, it's quite easy to see the same vet from visit to visit, if you find one you're comfortable with. We've been back to the same one several times -- it's just a matter of finding out "your" vet's schedule and then requesting an appointment with him or her.

[lulu1688]

I used to think spca was very good and a charitable organisation. However, recently i went there for my pu check up and look around the supplies, i think they are pretty expensive compare to a lot of other vets, and they are not very eperience doctors... ....

[dropdedfwed]

I love the way all these experts judge things they know nothing about. the vet industry in HK always has, and likely always will be, a shifting population. you have a core of senior/older vets that run/own most practices, but generally most of the staff are recent expats, here for a few years, then back home again. most these vets bring in new skills, and a lot of them are young and take a few months to settle in to HK style practice and local know how.

I think it is laughable, yet i guess in human nature, that unqualified lay people should think they can label a professional solely with the insight of one case/pet's treatment. reminds me of the people who whinge and moan about how bad a vet is because he could not diagnose a disease (when the real reason was they were too lousy to spend $ on diagnostics), then go to a new vet, spend the money in exasperation, and bag the old vet...

anyway, back on track. As the OP said, the SPCA is an excellent organisation for what it does
despite all the crap mongers out there who can't resist beating something when they see it praised.

Sunfire - congratulations, i hope you enjoy your new friend,

DDF

[c1000]

Excuse me for being an unqualified lay person. Do I need special training to recount the experience I had with my dog? The fact of the matter is that the SPCA doctor I saw prescribed inappropriate heart medications without performing any ultrasound, x-ray, ECG or blood tests. Another time when my dog required emergency surgery and was howling in pain at 3 in the morning, we had to wait behind someone with a kitten in no obvious distress because they were there first. Other experiences over the years have lead me to conclude that some reputable (and more expensive) private-practice veterinarians can provide more attentive care to older animals with serious conditions. I donate money to the SPCA, since they do good work, but I don't think the organisation is beyond reproach. Last year when I found a young labrador wandering outside my home, I called the SPCA and they told me to call the Agriculture and Fisheries department because they had no inspectors available. I was surprised that the SPCA operator would suggest that I call the AFD dog catcher even when I was willing to wait with the dog. In the end, I brought him to their centre by taxi.

[goodkarma]

I also donate to the spca but I also know they have had some ridiculous management/board problems.

Regarding the cost.
It seems other vets were complaining that the spca were too cheap in their pricing so they raised them.

I've was told though, if you have no money or cannot afford their high fees, they will still treat your pet.

[dropdedfwed]

c1000, I understand you are passionate about your pet. however, let us not forget a few things. >999/1000 pets with heart disease can be treated effectively without ECG, 98/100 can be effectively treated without xrays and blood tests. generally age, breed, history and a good idea of how the heart sounds is all a vet needs to know to medicate appropriately. if there are complications, then an xray and blood test may help, but rarely is an ECG warranted. often echocardiography is more useful. regarding stray dogs - the SPCA does us a huge humane favour by helping us out here - but the onus really is on the government to look after this sort of thing. i don't mind people telling others of their experiences, but why shadow someone's (rare) positive remarks with (common, and most oftenly, emotionally biased) complaints? take care, DDF

[PC_Man]

Not really correct on the heart disease part.

Heart disease is hugely over diagnosed if relying on history, and listening to the heart alone.

Xrays in particluar are very important to assess if abnormal heart sounds are actually disease or innocent, and many of the common HK breeds do have innocent abnormal heart sounds.
ECG and ultrasound can also play an important part in the diagnosis and treatment plans.

Without proper work up, then many dogs that do not need any treatment end up on life term medicines that are unnecessary.

Re- SPCA.
Yeah - they generally do a very good job but they cannot be all things to everyone.
Stray control is a Government responsibility via Agriculture and Fisheries Department.
SPCA used to shoulder a large part of the burden though, but realised that govt would never make changes to legislation for stray control and animal welfare generally whilst numbers of animals were handled off their radar.
So, SPCA stopped handling strays directly and takes homeable dogs from Ag + fish after thay have benn through their system.
Similar style to many of the other shelters such as HKDR I believe.

Clinics-wise, they provide decent vets and decent standards at average prices for HK Island (but that can make them expensive compared to many other parts of Hk).
It's a big organisation so it can lack the personal touch especially when dealing with the staff who aren't vets.
Basically, safe and reliable but difficult (but not impossible) to get that extra yard...