New film chronicles animal welfare group’s efforts to save Hong Kong’s strays

Director Au Cheuk-man spent four years making a documentary chronicling the work of an animal welfare group that rescues animals in different corners of Hong Kong, including rural areas and underground casinos.

The film, which began as a six-month commitment, unexpectedly turned into a four-year journey from 2019 to 2023, during which Au and Paws Guardian Rescue Shelter tracked efforts to save and rehome 40 stray animals.

Au, who previously directed another documentary about animal protection, Paws Men, said the experience connected him with the shelter and eventually prompted him to witness their rescue missions, leading to the production of the new documentary, titled Paws Land.

The documentary follows an arduous process, from identifying animals to rescuing, treating and eventually rehoming them, which proved far more challenging than Au had anticipated.

“I was shocked and never imagined that finding a home for the abandoned animals would be that difficult,” Au said in an interview with the Post.

“I never imagined that the animals could suffer so much, including having half of their heads cut off.”