Hong Kong restaurants can apply for dog-friendly licenses starting May 18, with designated venues expected to welcome pets from July. The initial phase caps applications at 1,000 restaurants.

Hong Kong restaurants will be able to apply for licences from May 18 to allow dogs under a new scheme, with the first designated venues expected to admit pets from July. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said on Thursday that applications would open on May 18 and close on June 8. In the first phase, applications will be capped at 1,000 restaurants. If the number exceeds the quota, places will be allocated by ballot. Restaurants larger than 20 square metres (215 square feet) are...