BUZZ previously reported that the animal rescue organisation “Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation” was accused of illegally operating a dog shelter within a nature conservation area. The Planning Department ordered them to cease operations of the kennel on government land by 12 September, and the association urgently sought homes for the 70 affected dogs. Yesterday (11/9), the case saw some development. The Planning Department stated on its social media page that, considering the unique circumstances of the case, it has decided to postpone enforcement action, extending the enforcement notice period by three months to 12 December 12 this year.
The FB page is translated (by Google) below:
Regarding the recent media reports about a dog kennel located in the “Nature Conservation Area” of Ho Chung, Sai Kung, the Planning Department conducted two site inspections in February and April 2026, and met with the operator in April this year, pointing out that the dog kennel may constitute an unlawful development under the Town Planning Ordinance (hereinafter referred to as the “Ordinance”).Following further investigation and the collection of sufficient evidence, the Planning Department determined that the eastern portion of the site (approximately 1,900 square metres) was being used as an “animal boarding facility,” and that this use was not permitted and had not been granted planning permission by the Town Planning Board (hereinafter referred to as the “Town Planning Board”), constituting an unlawful development under the Ordinance. On 12 June this year, the Planning Supervisor issued enforcement notices to the operator and the relevant landowner, requiring them to cease the unlawful development by September 12 this year. The Town Planning Board received a planning application (application number A/SK-HC/379) from the aforementioned operator on 19 August of this year for the site to be used as a temporary animal boarding facility for a period of three years. The Town Planning Board is currently processing the application.
Given that the operator has submitted a planning application to the Town Planning Board to use the site as a temporary animal boarding facility, and provided an update on 11 September outlining the practical difficulties faced in immediately halting the illegal development, and considering that if planning permission is ultimately not obtained, the operator will need more time to deal with the affected animals and may need to relocate, we understand the unique circumstances of this case and have decided to take a pragmatic approach and suspend enforcement action. At the same time, the compliance period for the relevant enforcement notice will be extended by three months, until 12 December of this year. We will proactively contact operators and applicants to provide appropriate planning advice and assistance.
As reported in the media recently about a dog kennel located in the “Conservation Area” of Ho Chung, Sai Kung, the Planning Department inspected the site in February and April this year, and held a meeting with the operator in April, indicating that the kennel might constitute an unauthorized development under the Town Planning Ordinance (the “Ordinance”).
After further investigation and the collection of sufficient evidence, the Planning Department confirmed that the eastern portion of the site (approximately 1,900 sqm) is being used as an “Animal Boarding Establishment” and that this use is not an always permitted use and has not been granted planning permission by the Town Planning Board (the “TPB”), thus constituting an unauthorized development under the Ordinance.
The Planning Authority issued an Enforcement Notice to the operator and the relevant landowners on 12 June, requiring them to discontinue the unauthorized development by 12 September. On 19 August, the TPB received a planning application (no. A/SK‑HC/379) submitted by the operator for a temporary animal boarding facility at the site for a period of three years. The TPB is currently processing the application.
In view of the operator’s submission of a planning application for a temporary animal boarding facility at the site, and the provision of updated information on 11 September outlining the practical difficulties of an immediate discontinuation, as well as the need for additional time to handle the affected animals and possible relocation if planning permission is eventually not granted, we, recognising the unique circumstances of the case, have decided to adopt a pragmatic approach by suspending the enforcement action. Accordingly, the compliance deadline in the Enforcement Notice has been extended by three months to 12 December this year.
We will proactively contact the operator and applicant to provide appropriate planning advice and assistance.
The issue stems from the Saigon Stray friends Association, established 15 years ago by Narelle Pamuk, which has been helping abandoned, injured, or homeless dogs by providing them with temporary shelter and finding suitable adoptive families. Currently, over 200 dogs reside on the premises. However, the site is located in a nature reserve and is not permitted for dog keeping.
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