How to Register Your Dog With the PSB Before the December Deadline

Owning a dog can be a fulfilling experience, however, it's one that comes laden with responsibility. Here in Beijing, part of that responsibility is ensuring that your dog is registered with the local PSB each year. This year, due to COVID-19 keeping many foreign Beijing residents stuck abroad and unable to return, the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau extended the registration period to Dec 31, 2020. Once it passes, however, dog owners will not be allowed to register their dogs or renew dog registrations until May 1, 2021, with license inspections beginning at the end of November. As such, we've compiled a list of tips so that your furry friend is well-documented in the eyes of the law.

What You Will Need For Your Dog’s Registration

• Your dog – If you live within the fifth ring road, then you may have to present your dog during registration. This is different, however, depending on your local Public Security Bureau. Confirm in advance whether you need to bring your dog along for the registration process.
• Photos – You will also need two one-inch front-facing headshots – i.e passport size photos – that show your dog’s image from the neck up. It must also have a white background.
• Your original identification documents – These include your passport and your foreign household registration document obtained at the PSB, used to extend your visa in China.
• Since dogs are registered to a household address and not to the owner’s passport, you will also need to bring along your lease agreement for a rented property or a property deed if you own a home.
• You will also need to present permission from your neighborhood watch committee – aka Ju Wei Hui – or the management agent. This depends on the requirements of the community supervisory committee within your district.
• Money (cash only) – If you are doing an initial registration then you will need to pay RMB 1,000 or RMB 500 for annual registration renewals. This is the fee in the eight major districts within the city and might be lower in areas outside these districts like Shunyi, Pinggu, Changping, Tongzhou, Huairoumu, and Miyun.

There is also a special discount if you can provide proof that your dog has been spayed or neutered. The discount can be as much as 50 percent for the initial registration should your documents come from a legally registered and licensed animal hospital in Beijing. You are also eligible for a 40 percent annual discount on your renewal fee under the same circumstances. But please note that this discount is only given once. Take advantage of this grace period to have your dog registered before the end of the year and save yourself from stress and worry. 

Information courtesy of ICVS Beijing 

READ: A Cheat-Sheet For Keeping Our Pets Happy and Healthy Through the Winter

This article first appeared on our sister site, beijingkids.

Images: Unsplash