Hong Kong’s annual Dogathon raises HK$2.2 million for animal welfare
This year’s event, organised by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, highlighted the importance of treating pets like family
More than 1,000 dogs and their families took part in the SPCA’s annual Dogathon. Photo: HandoutEvery week, Talking Points gives you a worksheet to practise your reading comprehension with exercises about the story we’ve written.
More than a thousand dogs – and their humans – raised money for animal welfare at the 2025 Dogathon during this year’s Ching Ming Festival.
The annual event was organised by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Hong Kong.
Louisa Ho, deputy executive director of the SPCA (HK), said the organisation is proud of the Dogathon because it allows families to spend time with their pets while fundraising for the SPCA.
“As a charity ... a lot of our programmes depend on the generosity of the public,” Ho explained, adding that only about one per cent of the SPCA’s funding comes from the government. “It’s integral that we have support from the public to do the animal welfare mission we are known for.”
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More than a walk
While this year’s dogathon attracted 1,200 dogs puttering alongside 3,000 walkers, momentum for the event has grown since its first edition in 1986.
For the latest Dogathon, pet owners and their dogs began their journey at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin and walked 3.6km to Sha Tin Race Course. There, they found a festival with booths and activities catered to dogs and pet owners. It was also an opportunity for the SPCA to showcase dogs up for adoption.
This year’s event raised HK$2.2 million, which will go to SPCA welfare programmes and expenses for animals at its shelters.
The theme was “More Than a Dog Walk”, emphasising the importance of protecting animals and treating them as companions rather than commodities or toys.
Ho said the theme was important because pet abandonment is still too common in Hong Kong. It’s why children need to learn about pet responsibility. “Starting from a very young age, we should teach them that caring for animals is a lifelong commitment,” she said.
The event also focused on making Hong Kong more pet-friendly. Ho said the city is slowly becoming more accessible for pet owners, and businesses and shopping malls are more willing to allow pets.
The MTR Corporation will also begin testing its new pet-friendly policy starting May 1. Pet owners can buy a monthly pass to take a dog or cat on the light rail in the New Territories on weekends and public holidays.
Getting young people involved
With face painting, sketch artists and other fun activities, the festival that followed the walk catered not just to dogs but the whole family.
Twelve-year-old Titus attended with his mother and his dog, Romeo, saying he was eager to have fun with his pet.
Siblings Tristin and Camille Sam said they enjoyed meeting other people and their dogs. They came with their parents and their three-year-old miniature schnauzer, Luna.
Bernice Lam Fon-ching volunteered at the event. As a first-year medical student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lam, 18, wanted to give back to the community by getting involved with animal welfare.
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“[I learned that] animal welfare is about building a compassionate community valuing all living beings,” she said, adding that events like the Dogathon are a “great way to foster empathy and awareness, especially among young people”.
Lam enjoyed meeting pet owners. She shared a story about meeting a woman who adopted a dog from the SPCA 13 years ago and who still supports the organisation by attending its events.
“Hearing stories like that really touch me and motivate me to contribute in other ways towards animal welfare,” Lam said.
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