Adopting a pet is a far more accessible process than many assume, according to a local veterinarian who strongly advocates for choosing adoption over shopping when bringing a furry friend home.

Nigel Kwan, a veterinary officer with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), said the department's long-running re-homing scheme has successfully given animals a forever home for over a decade.

Kwan works at the New Territories South Animal Management Centre, where his daily routine involves conducting health checks and temperament evaluations on stray or surrendered animals to ensure they are ready for a new family.

Once the animals are deemed adoption-ready, he said they are transferred to expert animal welfare groups who handle the careful process of matching pets with suitable owners.

"Adopting a pet through an animal welfare organisation you can actually have a lot of options. There are certain requirements required by the animal welfare organisations," he said.

"You need to pass those requirements before you can adopt a pet, but I think those requirements are really basic to be a responsible owner. Then you should be able to pass all those requirements."

The need for adoption is consistent, according to the veterinary officer.

Last year, he said the department received over 400 dogs and more than 100 cats -- numbers that have remained steady over the past three years.

During that same period, the re-homing scheme found loving homes for approximately 300 dogs and 150 cats.

Kwan also took the opportunity to address a common and damaging rumour that the AFCD euthanises animals just four days after they are surrendered.

"I would like to clarify that this misconception is totally untrue, because when the so-called four days merely refers to the legal requirement for us to trace the owner when we receive a stray animal to trace and trying to identify the owner," he said.

"And so after this minimum period of four days, if we cannot locate the owner, we can start arranging the home service for the animal."

This process has led to hundreds of success stories, including that of Chi Chi Huang and Alastair Dunn.

The couple adopted Abigail, a seven-year-old local village dog, also known as tong gau, after initially fostering her.

They knew almost immediately she was meant to be a permanent part of their family.

"There are so many dogs looking for adoption and homes. So, adopt, don't shop," Huang said.