Hong Kong Pet Owners Are Creating Adorable “ID Cards” for Their Animals — and the Internet Can’t Get Enough of It
If you thought you’d seen every adorable pet trend on the internet, Hong Kong’s latest viral idea will prove you wrong. Pet owners there have started creating novelty “ID cards” for their furry friends — complete with names, birthdates, photos, and even mock identification numbers. And yes, they look strikingly real.
The trend began with local pet enthusiasts who wanted a fun, lighthearted way to show love for their animals. It quickly took off online when images of a tiny hamster clutching its very own “Hong Kong Permanent Pet Identity Card” started circulating across social media. The photo, showing the little hamster posing proudly next to a laminated card featuring its picture and name, became an instant internet sensation.
The hamster, named Sungpen Mui, has since become a symbol of how far people will go to celebrate their pets — not just as companions but as family. The ID, printed in the same format as a real Hong Kong identity card, includes her name, date of birth, gender, and even a miniature photo that looks like an official passport portrait. It’s not an official government document, of course — just a novelty keepsake. But that hasn’t stopped it from melting hearts around the world.
Pet owners have always found creative ways to express affection — from custom collars and birthday cakes to Instagram profiles dedicated entirely to their pets. But these novelty ID cards add a new level of personality. They make pets feel “official,” as if they’re tiny citizens of their households, complete with credentials to prove it. The cards often come laminated and pocket-sized, making them a favorite for pet parents who love to show them off.
Local craft shops and online creators in Hong Kong have caught onto the demand. Many now offer customized versions, where pet owners can submit their animals’ names and photos to receive a professional-looking ID in the mail. Some even come with holographic effects and QR codes that link to the pet’s Instagram page or medical records.
But beyond the humor, there’s a touching side to this trend. For many pet owners, these IDs serve as sentimental tokens — small reminders of how much their pets mean to them. In a bustling city like Hong Kong, where life moves fast and apartments are small, pets often become emotional anchors. They offer comfort, companionship, and laughter in spaces that can otherwise feel hectic or lonely.
Social media users have embraced the trend with a mix of awe and amusement. “I can’t even get my own ID photo to look this good,” one commenter joked under the viral post. Others began sharing photos of their own pets — cats, dogs, rabbits, and even parrots — all posing proudly with their homemade IDs. Within days, what began as a local joke had turned into a global wave of cuteness, uniting pet lovers from different countries through one shared feeling: joy.
And it’s not hard to see why it resonates. There’s something deeply human about wanting to make our pets feel seen, known, and recognized. Maybe it’s a reflection of how we view them — not just as animals, but as family members with their own quirks, birthdays, and personalities worth celebrating.
Sungpen Mui, the now-famous hamster, may not understand why millions of people online are smiling because of her photo. But her tiny paws gripping that little card remind us how simple happiness can be. Sometimes it’s not the grand gestures that warm our hearts, but the small, silly ones — like a hamster holding an ID that says, “I belong.”
In a world full of heavy headlines, it’s refreshing to see something as pure and wholesome as this bring people together. Whether you’re in Hong Kong or halfway across the world, the sight of a furry friend with an official-looking card might just be the reminder we all need: love, in any form, deserves recognition.
