Starting July 9, 2026, dog owners in Hong Kong will be able to bring their pets to over 940 approved restaurants and cafes. The policy, launched by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), relaxes a long-standing ban on animals in food establishments for the first time in decades.
According to the official FEHD website, as of July 17, 2026, the department has intensified inspections and enforcement to crack down on violations in unapproved establishments. Previously, on July 14, some licensed restaurants received warnings for non-compliance. The government has confirmed that it does not plan to revoke the program despite online criticism and instances of individual establishments opting out.
Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 1.5 meters, held by an adult or tied to a fixed object. Animals are prohibited from being on tables and being fed from reusable tableware. Restaurants participating in the program cannot offer dishes like hotpot or barbecue. In the initial days of the program, Secretary for the Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan noted that establishments have prepared hygienic conditions and seating arrangements, and dog owners are actively cooperating.
FEHD has assigned a special team of 90 people to visit all approved establishments and explain the requirements. Inspections will be intensified during the first month, and the department's website will publish a list of participants and behavioral guidelines. Remaining quotas from the initial 1000 are being allocated to candidates on a waiting list.
The new measure aims to foster a pet-friendly culture and already covers hundreds of establishments across the city. Owners can check the latest list on the FEHD website and look for special signs at the entrance.
