Being one of the stakeholders of the Animal Watch Scheme (AWS), the Force takes a proactive approach to provide assistance in saving animals. 

 

Earlier last year, Superintendent (SP) Larry Chan, Convenor of the Rainbow Police Volunteer Service Group (RPVSG), advocated offering volunteer services in animal welfare related issues. In June last year, Mr Tony Ho, Chief Officer Inspectorate of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (SPCA), arranged training in animal handling for RPVSG members. The training covered introduction of the multi-agency approach adopted for the AWS, visits to animals service centre and Kadoorie Farm, as well as seminars and sharing sessions on animal behaviours and related legislation. To provide a better understanding of the skills and promote awareness of caring for animals, the volunteers were also provided with the opportunities to work alongside the SPCA Inspectorate in performing a wide range of duties.

 

Thanks to the devotion of Chief Inspector Ming Lee, Senior Inspector Eric Lee, Station Sergeant Noble Wong, Sergeant Lau Tat-ming, Sergeant Lam Chi-wai and Police Constable Ng Wai-kit, the training was arranged for 26 volunteers, who were appointed to SPCA Volunteer Inspectors Cadre on September 29. All the Volunteer Inspectors spend their spare time to work with SPCA Inspectors in rescuing and helping animals. 

 

Mr Ho said: "With the establishment of the SPCA Volunteer Inspectors Cadre, there are more exchanges and co-operation between Police volunteers and SPCA Inspectors. It would strengthen the capability of both the Force and the SPCA in tackling the challenges of prevention of cruelty to animals. It would also promote public awareness of animal welfare and disseminate message on respect and caring for animals."

 

SP Chan said: "It is a privilege to have an opportunity to share knowledge and experience with a renowned animal right organisation. It is encouraging that police volunteers work together to promote animal welfare. In the past three months, we performed various SPCA duties such as rescuing animals and responding to calls for assistance in dealing with animal abuse.

 

"Another important part of our role is to assist in promoting animal welfare concept in the community. We provided support for the Police Dog Trial 2013. We will post our experience on POINT for Force members to share our stories and experience.

 

"Being a Volunteer Inspector of the SPCA, our vision is to coordinate the efforts of different stakeholders to prevent and detect cases of cruelty to animals with education and publicity. To enlist more community assistance for prevention and detection of cruelty to animal cases, RPVSG will engage the related stakeholders and the general public."