Jonathan Lamport is the Chamber's Legco Representative
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The rise of the pet economy has become unstoppable. At a Legislative Council policy briefing in January, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology outlined plans to implement a key initiative from Chief Executive John Lee’s 2025 Policy Address: lifting Hong Kong’s three-decade-old
ban on allowing pet dogs inside food premises. The ban previously prohibited dogs from entering restaurants except for guide dogs and police or service dogs.
Under the new arrangements, restaurant operators will soon be able to apply for permits to allow dogs on their premises. The Government expects the first batch of licences to be approved by mid-2026, marking a major milestone for the city’s evolving pet economy and offering a much-needed confidence boost to an F&B sector eager to transform and capture new opportunities.
In my earlier exchanges with businesses in the pet industry, we discussed how the “fur baby economy” goes beyond cold, hard data. When our city becomes more pet-friendly, pet owners are naturally more inclined to spend weekends locally – exploring neighbourhoods, supporting small businesses and enjoying meals with their families and pets. This lifestyle shift embodies a vibrant attitude toward living well and, more importantly, serves as a powerful engine for boosting domestic consumption.
That said, I recognize that the key to building a truly pet-friendly city lies in balance and inclusivity. With roughly 90% of Hong Kong residents not owning pets, I fully understand the public’s concerns regarding hygiene, safety and spatial constraints. Some restaurant operators are worried that conflicts between humans and animals could arise in crowded environments, or measures to attract pet-owning clientele might lead to a loss of traditional customers.
In my view, this reform ultimately empowers both operators and consumers with the right to choose. The new measure adopts an “operator application system,” allowing each restaurant to decide whether to participate based on its own layout and target market. Approved establishments must display clear signage to enable the public to make informed choices before entering, an approach that respects diverse preferences.
We can draw inspiration from the success of Suhewan MixC World in Shanghai. By introducing designated “pet-only elevators” and clearly segregated zones, the mall allows both pet lovers and those uncomfortable around animals to coexist comfortably. This “wisdom of segregation” is a valuable reference as Hong Kong implements the new policies.
Going forward, I will closely monitor the vetting and licensing arrangements to ensure the process remains streamlined, transparent and user-friendly. Let us work together in the Year of the Horse to propel Hong Kong toward becoming a pet-friendly metropolis that is both commercially dynamic and warmly inclusive.