Living with Pets :
importing and keeping pets in Shanghai
Introduction
If
you plan to import your pet we
advise you to research China's
laws on animals thoroughly. Pets
generally have a different status
in China
than in your home country.
It's a law you have to keep your pet on a leash and large dogs are recommended to be muzzled in public areas in case local Chinese people feel intimidated and report a potentially vicious dog to the police.
You must license your dog upon arrival, or purchase, or adoption. Police are stepping up their vigilance in seizing unlicensed dogs in public. Carry your license with you at all times as proof.
Photo:enterAsia Art
When at all possible, do not have your maid walk the dog as they are more likely to be targeted by police and by an increasing number of dog thieves who steal dogs when being walked for the fur and food trade. Cats should be kept indoors at all times as there is an increasing amount of poisoning and again, stealing for the fur and food trade.
Visit the websites below and/or
contact expatriates with pets in
Shanghai in the forums with your
questions. The dog in the picture
is walked by the ayii without
a muzzle before the law was changed.
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Pet Immigration
It is possible bringing
a beloved pet into China. However,
without fluent, spoken Chinese
or a competent
pet relocation service it could
be a nightmare, especially after
a long flight from Europe or
America.
Furthermore the pet
has to stay in quarantine for
seven days. The animal will be
transported to the quarantine
station from Pudong Airport (international
flight) and you will not be allowed
to go
with
your
pets
to
settle
them in. You
will also not be permitted to
view the station.
Instead you are shown photos of this new buidling. During the 7 days in the quarantine station you are not permitted to visit your pet. The first week will cost RMB 2,000, any additional day RMB 100 per day/per animal. If the animal is deemed to be healthy (according to Chinese standards) the pet can be taken home by its owner for the remaining three weeks of quarantine.
Check early with your pet mover that the quarantine station is available for your pet on the expected arrival date as the indoor facility can house 50 dogs and cats only.
View an article written by PAW's medical advisor, PAW veterinarian James Holder on the new quarantine system in Shanghai.
| Website: |
| Pet
relocation Service Shanghai Air Animal Pet Movers USA Animals Away Pet Shipping |
The
following information is kindly provided
by the moving company AGS Four Winds.
There are two ways
to import your pet:
Option A:
Carried
as excess baggage (One passport
one pet only)
A health certificate
and Rabies vaccination certificate
must be issued by the government
veterinarian with the government
stamp . Rabies vaccination must
be given not less than 30 days
and no more than 1 year prior to
entry. Health certificate must
be dated less than 14 days
The above two certificates along with the owner’s address and phone number in Shanghai should be faxed or emailed to your pet relocation service in advance. Originals carried by passenger
Since Feb 13, 2006, there is quarantine for 7 days at the quarantine station and the pet can be released home if all the tests showing negative result. The pet will have a home quarantine for the rest of 23 days which totals 30 days.
Option B:
Shipped as air cargo (one passport
one pet only):
A health certificate
and Rabies vaccination certificate
for each pet should be issued by
the official government veterinarian
with the government stamp. Rabies
vaccination must be given not less
than 30 days and no more than 1
year prior to entry. Health certificate
must be dated less than 14 days
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Consignee
must bear a passport with a valid
Chinese visa and an entry record
within the proceeding 2 weeks from
the country that the pets are coming
from.
The
name on passport must match the
name on the health certificate
and name of Consignee. Consignee’s
original passport and original
Baggage Declaration form must be
tendered for custom clearance use.
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Fax
or email in advance all the certificates,
the Air Waybill, the address and
phone number in China, to our office
before the pets arrive.
Confirm with arrival date and flight.
Since Feb 13, 2006, there is quarantine for 7 days at the quarantine station and the pet can be released home if all the tests showing negative result. The pet will have a home quarantine for the rest of 23 days of the totals 30 days.
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See also e-relocation
Shanghai Step 3 Pet Matters
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| Addresses: Boarding Kennels | ||||
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| Website: |
| Air
Canada American Airlines United Airlines Northwest Airlines |
Documents Required
All documents should
be issued 30 days or
less before departure.
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Vaccination Certificate |
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Health Certificate (issued by your vet, there is no standard Chinese form) |
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Cats: Certificate for Feline Panleucopania, Feline Respitory Disease Complex Vaccine |
Forms
No
standard forms in China,
use international ones
Visa & Quarantine
Visa
and Quarantine Requirements
Since
Feb 13, 2006, there is quarantine
for 7 days at the quarantine station
and the pet can be released home
if all the tests showing negative
result. The pet will have a home
quarantine for the rest of 23 days
of the totals 30 days. During the
7 days in the station you are not
permitted to visit your pet. View
report by SCAA in their February
2006 newsletter.
Quarantine
Duration
30 days
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Pet InsurancePet Licenses & Law
It's a law you have to keep your pet on a leash and large dogs are recommended to be muzzled in public areas in case local Chinese people feel intimidated and report a potentially vicious dog to the police.
You must license your dog upon arrival, or purchase, or adoption. Police are stepping up their vigilance in sezing unlicensed dogs in public. Carry your license with you at all times as proof.
When at all possible, do not have your maid walk the dog as they are more likely to be targeted by police and by an increasing number of dog thieves who steal dogs when being walked for the fur and food trade. Cats should be kept indoors at all times as there is an increasing amount of poisoning and again, stealing for the fur and food trade.
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Adopt a Pet
The
organization " Second
Chance Animal Aid Shanghai" (SCAA) is
run by volunteers, who take in abandoned
animals and nurture them until they find
adoptive homes. You can join as a volunteer,
donate money or adopt any of their pets.
Visit their Website for
further info.
Please
note, that SCAA does not take in a pet
you have picked up from
the road. This pet becomes your responsibility
the moment you pick it up from the street.
Photo:SCAA
JAR
A group of expat and Chinese individuals have dedicated a part of their lives to rescuing and rehoming stray and abandoned animals off the streets of Shanghai. The group is named in honor and loving memory of 9 week old "Jaiya Kristina", who passed away from SIDS on February 14, 2009.
At JAR we believe that every animal deserves a safe, secure and loving home. Please click further information of our Adoption Process:
| Websites | ||
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Why Adopt a Pet Rather Than Buy in Shanghai
by Carol A. Wolfson, founder of the SCAA - You can order Carol's book at www.carolwolfson.com
Many breeders/pet stores get their animals from cruel puppy/kitty farms where the animals are torn away from their mother before they are fully weaned. Just as in the pet markets, the majority of animals in pet stores here are weak and sick, although they might be fattened up or pumped with antibiotics to give the impression of being healthy.
Most stores/markets don’t
have any return policy and once you walk
out of the market you are on your own.
And what about support if you have any
questions or problems with your new pet?
You might arrive home and three weeks later,
you have a near-dead animal in your possession.
And don’t think the store will take
it back either.
At SCAA, we have heard many horrific stories about purchases that have ended tragically. Just because there is a storefront, it doesn’t mean that pet stores are much better than the pet markets.
Call SCAA, adopt and save a life. Our canines and felines are in as much need of love as those big eyes staring at you at the markets.
Since its inception in March 2005, SCAA has adopted out nearly 150 animals, with ALL receiving medical care from PAW Veterinarian Clinic and warnings issued to loving adopting parents if the animal has medical problems. To date, NOT ONE animal has been returned (except due to allergies!) for medical reasons and our absolute policy is that if for any reason an adoption does not work out, we will welcome back our beloved wards immediately. Our animals’ welfare is our only concern and our members know this.
You’re getting more for your money if you get a mixed breed. Based on the well-established principle of “hybrid vigor,” a mixed-breed animal is likely to live longer and cost less in vet bills than a pure breed. Many purebred dogs are prone to developing health problems ranging from breathing difficulties to hip dysplasia to an enlarged heart.
You get just as much love
(if not more). An adopted pet is every
bit as loving, intelligent and loyal as
a purchased pet, even if you get an adult
or older animal.
Pet Recovery If your pet gets lost in Shanghai you have to act fast. Police may take it in on a neighbor's complaint to a local government facility where it will be euthanized within 48 hours. Contact the local police at once. Other ideas on how to find your pet are detailed in article by SCAA. See website below:
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Pet GroomingIn all developing countries, pets soon become a must-have luxury item. And, Shanghai is no different. A number of services catering for animals' needs have sprung up almost overnight.
You will find a choice of grooming and accessories stores all over the city. Check with fellow pet owners for their recommendations.
| Website: |
| What you need to know about grooming |
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Veterinary Clinics
There
is no pet ambulance service in
Shanghai, and vets don't have their
own transportation.
In dire emergencies they may come
to you, but you should be prepared
to arrange for your own transport.
After
quarantine care can also be
arranged at some clinics, please
call to verify.
Photo:enterAsia Art
Wesuggest you visit the" Second Chance Animal Aid Shanghai" (SCAA) website and view their latest list of recommended vets. This is the safest way to find qualitiy treatment for your pet in Shanghai.
Pet Burial and Cremation
Pet
cremation is handled by vets and
pet clinics.
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Useful Addresses
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Pet Supply
| Info: Food Delivery | ||||
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see
also vet clinics and kennels
Pet food is available in all western supermarkets. Most popular US and European brands can be found.
If your animal has special dietary needs, you should contact a Shanghai vet before arrival to find out if they stock the food, or if they can order it for you.
As
tap water is not drinkable in
Shanghai, you might also prefer
to give your pet bottled water.
Make sure your ayi is aware of
this too.
See also e-relocation
Shanghai Step 6 Settling
in.