Hong Kong has made a significant shift in its stance on pets in public places, allowing dogs in over 900 approved restaurants. This change is part of a broader effort to promote a pet-friendly culture in the city.

For decades, Hong Kong’s food business regulation had prohibited dogs in restaurants, except for guide dogs and those performing statutory duties. However, with the new policy change, dog owners and their four-legged friends can now join them at eateries.

The move is seen as a significant step forward in building an animal-friendly society. Hong Kong has already taken steps to accommodate pets in other public places, such as allowing them on certain ferry routes and some metro trains serving rural areas. Public hospitals have also started permitting pet visits for palliative care patients.

According to the government, more than 240,000 households in the city keep over 400,000 pet cats and dogs, accounting for about 9% of the city’s households. This indicates a significant demand for pet-friendly spaces in public areas.

At Wan Land Cafe, owner Kelvin Chan proudly displayed a poster welcoming dogs to the establishment. Previously, dogs were only allowed in its outdoor area, making it challenging for them during the hot and humid Hong Kong summer. Chan doesn’t expect the new policy to bring a spike in business but hopes it will contribute to a more pet-friendly society.

Chan noted that while dog lovers welcome the change, it might be a challenge for those who are not used to eating out with dogs around. He hopes that responsible pet owners in restaurants and other public spaces will eventually help non-pet lovers warm up to the idea and understand that being inclusive of pets is a progressive move.

Some dog owners have been preparing for the change by taking their pets to ‘dog dining etiquette workshops.’ Heyton Lee, a dog trainer for 19 years, was particularly busy ahead of the new measure. His two-hour program simulated a restaurant setting, teaching dog owners how to encourage their pets to stay calm and not get overly excited when they see their dog friends.

Under the new measure, dogs must be kept on a leash not exceeding 1.5 meters (5 feet) that must be held by an adult or tied to a fixture. The dogs should also be kept off tables, and may not consume food directly from reusable human utensils. Dogs considered to be among the ‘fighting breed’ by government standards are not allowed in the establishments at all.

Restaurants cannot cook food for the dogs but can offer prepackaged food to the pets. Many eateries have geared up to welcome their furry customers, with some hoping it will help boost their revenues. Old Fung Teahouse, a dim sum restaurant, invested more than 10,000 Hong Kong dollars ($1,276) in its preparation, installing an air purifier and setting up simple partitions to separate an area for tables serving pet owners. It also provides pet strollers and cleaning products.

Ma Ke, a tourist from mainland China, was happy with the restaurant’s handling of the new measure. ‘By separating an area for dogs and their owners, this restaurant is managing the situation well, because it makes it easier for customers who are not that used to being with dogs to accept the situation,’ he said.