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.
FSD and BD conduct joint inspection and enforcement operation against industrial buildings
In response to earlier media reports on fire safety issues in certain industrial buildings, the Fire Services Department (FSD) and the Buildings Department (BD) are highly concerned about the situation and conducted a joint inspection and enforcement operation targeting industrial buildings from December 29 to 31, 2025, with a view to ensuring public safety.
An industrial building in Kwun Tong, Photo by Bastille Post
The FSD and the BD inspected a total of nine industrial buildings located in various districts in Kowloon and the New Territories during the joint operation. The fire personnel identified a total of 261 irregularities related to various fire hazards, such as obstruction or locking of means of escape, defective or wedged-open smoke stop doors, as well as fire service installations or equipment (FSIs) that were defective or not in efficient working order. The FSD took immediate enforcement action against the persons concerned.
An industrial building in Kwun Tong, Photo by Bastille Post
Among the cases related to obstruction of means of escape, the FSD instituted three prosecutions and issued 22 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices (FHANs), requiring the persons concerned to abate the fire hazards within a specified period. Should they fail to comply with the requirements of the FHANs within the period, the FSD will institute resolute prosecution. In addition, inspections revealed that some buildings had defective smoke stop doors and FSIs. The FSD will issue FHANs to the persons concerned and continue to take follow-up action.
The Buildings Department (BD), Photo source: reference image
The BD identified 13 subdivided flats suspected of being used illegally for domestic purposes. Further investigations are now under way, and letters have been sent to the relevant owners and occupiers asking them to contact the BD as soon as possible to arrange an inspection of their flats. Otherwise, the BD will consider applying for a court warrant to enter the premises for inspection. If it is confirmed that the flats in question have been used for illegal domestic purposes, the BD will take enforcement action in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance, including ordering the cessation of illegal domestic use and rectify the dangerous situations. The BD also identified in the operation that there was dilapidation in the exit staircases of one of the industrial buildings, but no obvious danger to the overall building structure was noted. The BD has issued a repair order to the owners' corporation for conducting the necessary repair work.
The Fire Services Department (FSD), Photo source: reference image
Apart from inspection and enforcement, the FSD also carried out fire prevention education and publicity at the same time during the operation to enhance fire safety awareness among owners and occupiers of industrial buildings, thereby mitigating fire risk from the source. The BD has also long been promoting building safety and the proper use of buildings through various channels, including distributing themed posters to management offices of industrial buildings for displaying in prominent places to serve as a reminder to owners and occupiers that industrial buildings must not be used illegally for domestic purposes.
