Hong Kong New Policy: Pet Dogs Allowed in Restaurants from July
The Hong Kong government announced a new policy allowing pet dogs in restaurants starting July, with applications opening on May 18. The initial phase will have 1,000 slots, excluding hotpot and barbecue restaurants, and those smaller than 20 square meters. Restrictions apply to dog behavior and food.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 16:21
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 16:31 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 16:40 (8 min after Collected)
Central News
(Central News Agency reporter Cheung Him, Hong Kong, 7th) The Hong Kong authorities plan to relax restrictions on citizens bringing pet dogs into restaurants starting in July, and will begin accepting related applications from the 18th of this month.
The Hong Kong authorities previously submitted a legislative amendment to the Legislative Council to allow dogs into restaurants. A spokesperson for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department stated today that applications must be submitted and approved before dogs can enter.
The spokesperson said that applications from restaurants wishing to allow dogs will be accepted starting on the 18th of this month, with implementation expected in July.
According to the announcement, in the first phase of implementation, the authorities will issue no more than 1,000 quotas. In addition, due to safety considerations, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will not accept applications from hotpot restaurants and barbecue restaurants; the restaurant area must also be larger than 20 square meters.
The authorities also have considerable restrictions on dogs entering restaurants, including strictly prohibiting them from being on dining tables to prevent contact with tableware and food; not allowing dogs to use reusable restaurant utensils; and not allowing dog food to be cooked in the restaurant, only pre-packaged dog food and food brought by customers can be supplied.
Furthermore, "known risk dogs" and "fighting dogs" are not allowed to enter restaurants.
In the past 10 years, the lifestyle of Hong Kong people has undergone significant changes. Some young couples are unwilling to have children but are willing to keep cats and dogs as companions. In addition, many elderly people also keep cats and dogs as companions.
For a long time, the Hong Kong government has prohibited cats and dogs from entering restaurants, and some residential buildings still prohibit keeping cats and dogs, which has led some people to secretly keep them without daring to publicize it.
However, with the change in lifestyle, the relationship between people and pets has become increasingly close. Some citizens even regard dogs as "children." The voice of Hong Kong society demanding the government to relax dog control has grown stronger, and currently, large department stores already allow citizens to bring cats and dogs into shopping malls. (Editor: Chou Hui-ying) 1150507
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(Central News Agency reporter Cheung Him, Hong Kong, 7th) The Hong Kong authorities plan to relax restrictions on citizens bringing pet dogs into restaurants starting in July, and will begin accepting related applications from the 18th of this month.
The Hong Kong authorities previously submitted a legislative amendment to the Legislative Council to allow dogs into restaurants. A spokesperson for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department stated today that applications must be submitted and approved before dogs can enter.
The spokesperson said that applications from restaurants wishing to allow dogs will be accepted starting on the 18th of this month, with implementation expected in July.
According to the announcement, in the first phase of implementation, the authorities will issue no more than 1,000 quotas. In addition, due to safety considerations, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will not accept applications from hotpot restaurants and barbecue restaurants; the restaurant area must also be larger than 20 square meters.
The authorities also have considerable restrictions on dogs entering restaurants, including strictly prohibiting them from being on dining tables to prevent contact with tableware and food; not allowing dogs to use reusable restaurant utensils; and not allowing dog food to be cooked in the restaurant, only pre-packaged dog food and food brought by customers can be supplied.
Furthermore, "known risk dogs" and "fighting dogs" are not allowed to enter restaurants.
In the past 10 years, the lifestyle of Hong Kong people has undergone significant changes. Some young couples are unwilling to have children but are willing to keep cats and dogs as companions. In addition, many elderly people also keep cats and dogs as companions.
For a long time, the Hong Kong government has prohibited cats and dogs from entering restaurants, and some residential buildings still prohibit keeping cats and dogs, which has led some people to secretly keep them without daring to publicize it.
However, with the change in lifestyle, the relationship between people and pets has become increasingly close. Some citizens even regard dogs as "children." The voice of Hong Kong society demanding the government to relax dog control has grown stronger, and currently, large department stores already allow citizens to bring cats and dogs into shopping malls. (Editor: Chou Hui-ying) 1150507
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.