Jockey Club supports the SPCA’s first animal welfare centre in the New Territories

12/03/2024 15:06

Hong Kong is increasingly a city of pet-lovers, with more than 10% of families now owning a domestic pet. Unfortunately, with rising ownership comes the risk of pets being ill-treated or abandoned, while stray animals are potentially a public health risk through the spread of zoonotic diseases.

To enhance the quality of animal care and to promote animal welfare education, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, through its Charities Trust, has donated over HK$300 million to The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) (“SPCA”) to establish a new centre in Tsing Yi. Named the SPCA Jockey Club Centennial Centre, this is the SPCA’s first animal welfare and education centre located in the New Territories.

To celebrate the opening of the centre, a ceremony was held today (12 March). Officiating were HKSAR Government Deputy Secretary for Justice Horace Cheung, Club Chairman Michael Lee, SPCA (HK) President Gigi Fu and Chair of the Executive Committee Joanna Eades.

Speaking at the ceremony, Michael Lee said that a shared affinity for animal well-being connects the SPCA and the Club. The new state-of-the-art centre will not only address the need for animal welfare services in the community but also become a game-changer in supporting the humane treatment of animals and inspiring respect for life in Hong Kong.

Spanning over 93,000 square feet, the SPCA Jockey Club Centennial Centre will provide a wide range of welfare services, including animal rescue, inspection, cruelty prevention work, and the provision of emergency shelter for rescued animals or those at risk. The centre’s veterinary clinic is fully equipped with diagnostic equipment and an in-house laboratory, supporting in-depth medical check-ups, hospitalisation and critical care. It also provides an animal grooming service. Seminar rooms will support public education activities to promote animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

The SPCA has long championed the rights and welfare of animals; vital work which The Hong Kong Jockey Club has been pleased to support over many years. The Club supported the establishment of the SPCA’s Kowloon Centre in 1965 and its redevelopment in 1997. Since 2010, members of the Club's CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team have participated in activities organised by the SPCA to promote animal welfare.

The Club’s support for the establishment of the SPCA Jockey Club Centennial Centre, like all of its charity donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate employment, tax and charity support for the community.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2022/23, the Club returned a total of HK$35.9 billion to the community. This included HK$28.6 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$7.3 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s top ten charity donors.