Beijing Pet-iquette: Tips on Responsible Pet Ownership in the Capital
While some expats arrive in Beijing with a fur-baby in tow, there are plenty of us who made the decision to bring a four-legged friend – or two-legged if birds are more your speed – into the fold after being here a while. But before you fall into a rabbit hole (oh! that would be a fun pet too) of cute kitten and puppy videos as "research" for your new furry family member, there are a couple of things about pet ownership in Beijing that you should know.
Buy or Adopt?
This one’s easy: always adopt if you can! Give a pup or kitten a second chance and a fur-ever home that they deserve. International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) has many animals in need of a loving home. These pets have already received their shots and ICVS will continue to provide financial help during checkups for pet owners of adopted pets. If you’re specifically looking to adopt a puppy, you can also contact Lost Puppies of Beijing (WeChat ID: lostpuppies), an association that rescues and fosters stray puppies before finding new homes for them.
Registration
Not all pets need to be registered in Beijing, only dogs, so if you have a cat, you’re in the clear. Beijing law states that all dog owners in the capital are required to register their pets annually with the Public Security Bureau (PSB), or have their pets automatically be considered stray and subject to confiscation. Under normal circumstances, the registration period runs May 1 to Jun 30, regardless of when the dog was initially registered. This year, however, due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 the city has extended the dog registration period to Dec 31. Registration costs RMB 500.
A Question of Breeding
Beijing has a long and complicated history with dogs, probably due to historically high rates of rabies. Therefore, ‘large’ and ‘aggressive’ dogs may not be kept within many city districts. Such dogs are defined as those whose height exceeds 35cm, measured from shoulder to ground. The PSB website offers a helpful list of larger and banned breeds, such as Tibetan mastiff, Dobermann, Greyhound, Chow Chow, and Akita, among others.
Exotic Tastes
If you’ve watched the Netflix blockbuster series Tiger King recently you may be disappointed to learn that there are definitely no pet tigers in Beijing. The most common pets in Beijing are dogs and cats, although you’ll see the occasional bunny, bird, ferret, hamster, or tropical fish. The main barrier to owning any animal other than a cat or dog in Beijing is that due to Chinese law, you won’t be able to take them out of the country when you decide to move. Many exotic animals have surprisingly long lifespans, which can easily exceed the standard work contract in Beijing. Be responsible when you’re considering expanding your family, and think about your long term relocation plan… are you sure you’ll still want that cute chinchilla in 20 years’ time?
Lifestyle and Habits
Before falling head over heels with one particular pet, think about your lifestyle in Beijing. Are you a homebody or do you like to go out and explore? Do you have children? Do you or your partner frequently work overtime? Do you like to spend your weekends out with friends, and do overnight stays? Different types of pets require different levels of commitment and if you’re going to make them a member of your family, think about what needs they have and if you can realistically provide for them.
Bye-Bye Beijing
It’s worth saying again: according to Chinese law, the only animals that can be legally taken out of the country are cats and dogs. Even for these two animals, sending a pet abroad is a lengthy process that should start up to eight months prior to the move depending on which country you’re moving to. The process can be a headache for many people but thankfully places like ICVS, Doctors Beck and Stone, and Globy Pet Relocation offers regular classes on how to relocate with your pets as well as relocation services. But whatever you do, don’t wait until the last minute to start inquiring. Vaccinations and health certificates take time and you don’t want have to choose between delaying your departure or leaving Fido behind.
Useful Services
International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS)
3-16 Rongke Ganlan Chengshang Jie, Futongxi Dajie, Wangjing, Chaoyang 朝阳区望京阜通西大街 融科橄榄城商街13-16号
Tel: 8456 1939
Doctors Beck and Stone Health Care Center
Unit 104, Tower B, Bldg 3, Hou Xiandai Cheng, Baiziwan Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区百子湾路后现代城3栋B座104底商
Tel: 8774 8653
Globy Pet Relocation
Rm 26B, Block 2, Bauhinia Court, 30 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路30号紫荆豪庭2座26B
Tel: 8762 5020
READ: Beijing Ranks at the Bottom of the Top for Expensive Expat Cities
This article originally appeared on our sister site beijingkids.
Images: Unsplash
