Ricky Tam Wai-kit's Uluru Cafe in Wan Chai received a grim ultimatum from Hong Kong food hygiene officers: a week-long closure for another dog sighting, with licence revocation on a repeat offence. To save his business, Tam banned pets, causing a 20 to 30 per cent drop in revenue as regular customers stopped coming.
Ricky Tam Wai-kit's pet-friendly Uluru Cafe in Wan Chai has become a target after a neighbour repeatedly complained to environmental authorities about dogs on the premises. Food hygiene officers issued an ultimatum: a week-long closure if another dog is spotted, and permanent licence loss for a second offence.
"We like pets and animals, but this has made us a target for attack," Tam said. "I don’t understand why they have to weaponise the law to punish us when we are just trying to run a business."
To protect his business, Tam banned regular customers from bringing pets, including those travelling from as far as Tuen Mun in the New Territories. An online announcement on Facebook and Instagram drew sympathy but failed to stem the losses. "We announced on Facebook and Instagram that we no longer allow dogs, so pet owners stopped coming," he said. "Our business dropped by 20 to 30 per cent. I can’t tell if the government is trying to help small businesses like us or not."
The incident highlights challenges in Hong Kong's push for pet-friendly venues to boost the economy amid regulatory hurdles.