Hong Kong’s environment chief has ruled out flexible quarantine arrangements, including at home, for imported cats and dogs, but will consider extending hours and increasing the number of checkpoints for pet transport from mainland China.

Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan told a Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday that existing quarantine facilities are sufficient for imported pets, adding that the government would not consider altering the quarantine method for now due to the risk of rabies.

“When pets are quarantined in private residences, they have opportunities to come into contact with other animals and people, which can pose significant risks,” Tse said.

“Thus, home quarantine is not appropriate from a risk management perspective.”

He added that new quarantine rules had already reduced costs for pet owners from mainland China by three-quarters and increased the turnover rate of quarantine facilities fourfold.

The department’s Kowloon Animal Management Centre also expanded its quarantine facilities in May, increasing those for cats from 21 to 34 and for dogs from 20 to 30.