Hong Kong, 11 February 2026: Roaring Twenties icon Josephine Baker maintained a menagerie as exotic as her dancing. She kept a goat and pig in her Paris nightclub while various dogs and monkeys, plus a horse, tortoise, snake, parakeet and two goldfish, inhabited her palatial home. But her favourite was Chiquita the cheetah, who rode in the entertainer’s Rolls Royce and was taken for walks along the Champs Élysées. Future Vogue editor Diana Vreeland once went to the cinema with Baker, only to discover she had brought the big cat with her.
History is littered with famous people owning strange pets. US president Calvin Coolidge’s collection included a pygmy hippopotamus, wallaby and racoon, the latter a gift for him to eat at Thanksgiving before being granted a presidential pardon. Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí famously kept a Colombian ocelot that went everywhere with him. Roman emperor Caligula merely had a stallion – which reminds me to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Horse – although he did make it a senator and would invite dignitaries to dine with it in a specially built reception house.
Eating with pets is nothing new, then, but Hong Kong is finally taking note. In a significant move, the authorities are allowing up to 1,000 restaurants to welcome dogs in a new pet-friendly premises scheme starting in June. The Food Business Regulation, which currently bars canines – other than guide or service dogs – from restaurants, is being amended to allow eateries to apply for permits. Of course, our new dining companions will be monitored: “known dangerous” – as classified by court order – or “fighting” dogs are barred and those that do gain admission must be kept on a short leash.
The initiative has been widely welcomed. Animal Welfare Advocacy Alliance coordinator Lau Chun-hoi lauds this “first step” towards wider tolerance while lawmaker Chan Pok-chi hails it as “a really good improvement” which reflects our changing society. Others are more sceptical. Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management chairman Michael Leung worries about dogs messing on floors and says the measure could cause divisions. Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades president Simon Wong, meanwhile, says under-pressure caterers have more pressing concerns, such as livelihood issues.
Still, it is part of a wider drive to indulge our furry friends. City leader John Lee has already pledged in his annual policy address to tap into the lucrative “pet economy”, noting more than 10% of households here, around 240,000, keep some 400,000 cats and dogs. The financials are substantial. We spend HK$6 billion per year on pet food and HK$800 million on grooming and veterinary services, reveals Hong Kong Pet Trade Association president Angela Chan, who adds: “People truly treat pets as family members.” It’s also worth highlighting this city’s booming pet insurance market, recently valued at HK$66 million with a projected annual growth rate of 11.5% from 2026-33.
As with Chiquita the cheetah, there is no limit to pampering. Pet tourism is growing, with Hong Kong citizens queuing up to take their little treasures on a private jet to Japan. Bespoke tour operator Life Travel has nearly doubled its sales this year, with managing director Billy Chan noting that, post-Covid, many owners “have the financial ability” to shell out for such trips. His firm is expanding operations to offer breaks in Singapore.
Pet nutritionists are joining in. Plain old dog food just won’t do, not when Fido can feast on dried alligator or braised duck rice and still have room for dessert, in this case canine ice cream. Going away for a few days? Your family cat will be fine thanks to the new AI-powered litter box you’ve just bought and camera-linked mobile app that allows you to keep watch. All these products and much more were on display at the recent Hong Kong Pet Show, which attracted more than 1,000 exhibitors and countless visitors. Organiser Carl Wong notes the “brand new opportunities” presented by our government pushing pet-friendly policies and streamlining quarantine requirements.
In this spirit, our city is gearing up for its annual Dogathon, organised by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, on 1 March. The event includes a festival at Disneyland with 5km charity walk and this year – in a “major breakthrough for pet inclusivity”, according to the SPCA – participants plus pooches can get there by train. For one day only, certain dogs will be allowed to ride on most major rail lines thanks to a “Woof Pass” – yes, really – from the MTR Corporation. Some 1,200 such permits are being allocated, on a first come, first served basis, for a HK$90 donation.
Joining in the fun, transport firm KMB will run so-called pet buses to the charity walk from six locations. And no, owners or animals won’t be strapped in. Amid red faces all around, the authorities have repealed a much-criticised law requiring bus passengers to wear seat belts, saying they will review the legislation. The rule, which was in force for less than two weeks, sparked a backlash with passengers complaining about poorly fitting restraints, hygiene issues and concerns that unbuckling early before alighting could breach the law. Admitting the launch was botched – while stopping short of calling it a dog’s breakfast – transport minister Mable Chan pledged to “improve communication”, speak with experts and hold a public consultation.
In closing, a quick trawl of news outlets reveals 33 people have been arrested over an alleged HK$150 million government technology funding scheme fraud, the Immigration Department says it detained 710 individuals during sham marriage investigations in 2025 and a student has been jailed for paying an imposter to take an English proficiency test on her behalf in an effort to graduate.
Sobering reading and a reminder that the authorities here, in contrast to Josephine Baker, take a dim view of – ahem – cheaters.
Until next time, everybody!
Colin Cohen
Senior Partner
Boase Cohen & Collins
