KMB Pet Bus Hits 30,000 Trips, Takes Senior Dogs on Mall Outing
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago8 MIN
Summary
KMB's volunteer arm KMB Friends teamed up with animal shelter Ah Kun House (阿棍屋) on August 6 to take eight senior and physically challenged dogs on a pet bus excursion to YOHO MALL in Yuen Long, where they visited a pet-friendly restaurant . The event was timed to coincide with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department's new policy effective July 9, which permits dogs in dining areas of food premises, not restricted to outdoor seating or strollers .
Key Points
- KMB's pet bus fleet has cumulatively carried pets on 30,000 trips, comprising one double-decker bus, tour coaches, and single-decker buses serving pet-friendly areas including West Kowloon Pet Park and Sai Sha Road Go Park, with routes covering Tuen Mun and Tseung Kwan O .
- The August 6 outing involved 12 KMB Friends volunteers and eight dogs from Ah Kun House, most of which were elderly or physically impaired; five had previously ridden the pet bus, while dachshund "Cheung Cheung," Shih Tzu "Dor Dor," and French bulldog "Bread" were first-timers .
- Ah Kun House founder Ivy selected smaller, well-behaved dogs for the outing so volunteers could more easily accompany them, giving the animals new experiences and happy memories in their later years .
- The bus traveled to YOHO MALL, where the mall provided eight pet strollers for volunteer use, before proceeding to pet-friendly restaurant PekoPeko, which dedicates half its space to pet-accompanied diners and provides dog mats, deodorizing spray, and pet-safe cleaning products .
- KMB Friends volunteer Ingrie, a second-time participant and former Shih Tzu owner, noted that poodle Mimi appeared especially happy during the outing; volunteer Lau, a teacher with two dogs at home, has regularly participated in pet charity activities but has yet to bring his own pets aboard .
- KMB Customer Experience Manager Ng Ka-man said the event was planned in response to unpredictable weather and the July 9 policy change, following coordination with multiple organizations; KMB Friends holds weekly volunteer activities spanning animal welfare, low-income family support, and elderly visits .
- PekoPeko operator Nelson noted that only approximately 1,000 pet-friendly food licenses were available, making obtaining one partly a matter of luck; he opened the restaurant after observing many shoppers with pets and sharing staff's love of animals .
- KMB offers free rides for pets aged 10 or above on the first Saturday of each month, with partial proceeds donated to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) .
Why It Matters
The collaboration demonstrates how private-sector volunteer programs and government policy changes can combine to improve quality of life for aging shelter animals while normalizing pet-inclusive public spaces. For Hong Kong's growing population of pet owners and animal welfare advocates, the expansion of pet-friendly transport and dining options offers tangible models for building a more inclusive urban environment.
The collaboration demonstrates how private-sector volunteer programs and government policy changes can combine to improve quality of life for aging shelter animals while normalizing pet-inclusive public spaces. For Hong Kong's growing population of pet owners and animal welfare advocates, the expansion of pet-friendly transport and dining options offers tangible models for building a more inclusive urban environment.