Hong Kong Reduces Quarantine for Mainland Pets from 120 to 30 Days Starting June 3

AFCD announces new quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs imported from Mainland

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (May 13) that new quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs imported from the Mainland will be implemented. With effect from June 3, the Mainland will be included in Group IIIA. Cats and dogs imported from the Mainland that meet the relevant quarantine requirements and are accompanied by an animal health certificate issued by Mainland official veterinarians will have their quarantine period significantly reduced from the current 120 days to 30 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. The new arrangements will facilitate animal owners in bringing their pet cats and dogs from the Mainland to Hong Kong.

Applicants who import cats and dogs from the Mainland must ensure that the animals comply with the requirements of Group IIIA and submit the necessary proof to the AFCD. These include having the animals implanted with a conforming microchip, holding a valid vaccination certificate for rabies and designated infectious diseases, obtaining satisfactory results from rabies antibody titer testing conducted at a laboratory approved by the AFCD on a blood sample taken not less than 90 days and not more than one year before departure, and possessing an animal health certificate issued by Mainland official veterinarians.

An AFCD spokesman said that to ensure strict implementation of the relevant quarantine regulations, the AFCD has agreed with the Mainland authorities that official veterinarians of Shenzhen Customs will issue the animal health certificates in the first phase of implementation. Detailed requirements for issuing health certificates by the Mainland can be obtained from Shenzhen Customs. Details of the quarantine arrangements and the application procedures for importing cats and dogs from the Mainland, including the method of reserving quarantine facilities and information on recognised laboratories on the Mainland, are available on the AFCD website.

The AFCD will continue to closely refer to the latest information on animal diseases announced by the World Organisation for Animal Health, and optimise the quarantine requirements of imported dogs and cats in a timely manner based on operational experience, risk assessment and other factors.

Schools and tertiary students invited to enrol in Hong Kong Flower Show student drawing competition

The Hong Kong Flower Show 2026, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will be held at Victoria Park from March 20 to 29. The Jockey Club Student Drawing Competition, one of the major activities of the flower show, will be held on March 20. Local primary and secondary school students, as well as full-time tertiary students, are welcome to take part in the competition. Applications are free of charge and will remain open until February 3.

The competition will be conducted in five categories: a Junior Section in Primary School (Primary One to Primary Three); a Senior Section in Primary School (Primary Four to Primary Six); a Junior Section in Secondary School (Form One to Form Three); a Senior Section in Secondary School (Form Four to Form Six); and a Tertiary Institution Section. The competition is scheduled from 9am to noon for primary school categories and the Tertiary Institution Section, and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm for secondary school categories on the day.

The competition will feature students' drawings of floral exhibits or garden displays in the showground with a view to enhancing awareness of conserving plants and the natural environment. Participants may use any form of drawing to illustrate the theme of the competition, "A Fragrant Journey through Hong Kong".

For details of the competition, please call 2926 3060/2302 1762 or visit the flower show webpage www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2026/drawing.html. Primary and secondary school students should enrol through their schools, while tertiary students are required to enrol individually. Participating schools and entrants of the Tertiary Institution Section should submit applications online on or before February 3.

The upcoming flower show features "A Fragrant Journey through Hong Kong" as its main theme, with the stock as its theme flower. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is supporting the flower show for the 14th consecutive year and has been its major sponsor since 2014.

The Hong Kong FLower Show, Photo source: FB