1,200 Woof Pass holders take their dogs on the train as the city raises funds for animal welfare
SPCA Dogathon 2026: Hong Kong’s MTR Goes Dog-Friendly for One Day Only
For one extraordinary day this Sunday, Hong Kong’s MTR — one of the world’s busiest and most meticulously managed urban rail systems — opened its doors to dogs. In partnership with the SPCA’s Dogathon 2026 charity event, the MTR Corporation welcomed registered fundraising participants and their dogs onto its heavy rail network and Light Rail system, giving 1,200 canines and their owners unlimited rides in support of animal welfare. Participants who registered for the Dogathon and made charitable donations received a “1-Day MTR Woof Pass” wristband allowing unlimited journeys across the heavy rail and Light Rail network — excluding the Airport Express, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, Racecourse Station, Lo Wu, and Lok Ma Chau. Dogs must travel in a secure carrier or backpack; wheeled pet strollers are not permitted. Participants must board only the last carriage of heavy rail trains and wear their wristbands visibly at all times. MTR deployed additional staff at interchange hubs and busy stations to manage the day’s unusual logistics.
The Main Event: Hong Kong Disneyland
The focal point of Dogathon 2026 is Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, where the main charity activities are based. MTR anticipated heavier-than-usual flows between 7am and 8am on the Disneyland line. Coach shuttle options are also available from pick-up points in Admiralty, North Point, Mong Kok, Sha Tin, Yuen Long, and Tseung Kwan O, departing at 7am with a return at 2pm from Hong Kong Disneyland Coach Park. The shuttle fare is HK$90 per person, with dogs travelling free. Bookings were available via the KMB1993 app from January 12.
Civil Society That Refuses to Quit
The SPCA is one of Hong Kong’s most respected charitable institutions, operating animal shelters, veterinary clinics, and public education programs across the territory. The Dogathon is one of its signature fundraising events, bringing together the city’s substantial community of dog owners in collective support for programs that help thousands of animals every year. The event is a reminder that beneath the political pressures and economic uncertainties defining Hong Kong’s recent years, the city retains a vibrant civil society of dedicated volunteers and community organizations doing vital work regardless of the political environment. The SPCA Hong Kong website provides information on how to support the charity’s ongoing programs. The MTR Corporation has shown with Sunday’s arrangement that even the most efficiently run transit system can make room, at least occasionally, for the city’s most beloved four-legged residents. In a Hong Kong under pressure, the Dogathon is a small but genuine act of community joy.
Man Yi
Opinion & Social Commentary Journalist, Apple Daily UK
Contact: manyi@appledaily.uk
Man Yi is a journalist specializing in social commentary and analytical reporting, with a focus on interpreting social trends through evidence-based analysis. She received formal journalism training at a top Chinese journalism school, where she studied media ethics, social research methods, and opinion writing standards.
Her work at Apple Daily and other liberal Chinese publications includes analysis of social movements, cultural shifts, and public discourse, grounded in verifiable facts and historical context. While her writing engages interpretation, it remains anchored in documented evidence and transparent sourcing.
Man Yi brings newsroom experience in maintaining clear separation between opinion and factual reporting, an essential component of editorial trust. Editors rely on her disciplined approach to citation, contextual framing, and ethical commentary.
Her authority comes from sustained publication within established media institutions and adherence to editorial guidelines governing opinion journalism. At Apple Daily UK, Man Yi contributes responsible, experience-informed commentary that enhances public understanding without sacrificing accuracy or trustworthiness.
