Animal Magic: Keeping a Pet in Shanghai

Animal Magic: Keeping a Pet in Shanghai
By Susie Gordon , eChinacities.com

Life in Shanghai can get lonely sometimes. Coming home to an empty apartment is pretty depressing, which is why a lot of expats decide to get a pet. Of course, the advantages of having a pet are obvious, but owning an animal as in China isn’t as easy as you might think. Help is at hand, with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

1. What do I need to consider before buying a pet in Shanghai?

A pet is for life, not just for Shanghai. If you’ve set your heart on a goldfish or a hamster, this won’t apply, as your pet will probably have shuffled off its mortal coil before your visa runs out. However, getting a cat or a dog is a bigger commitment because, all being well, they live a lot longer. You need to be prepared either to re-home your pet when you leave, or organise to take it with you. The latter is an expensive and time-consuming process, requiring a full government health check within 30 days of leaving, injections, and a microchip. See section 10 for details.

2. Where’s the best place to buy pets in Shanghai?

Unfortunately, China doesn’t have the best record where animal rights are concerned. Go to any animal market and you’re guaranteed to see things that will make you want to cry, retch, or both – dogs confined to tiny cages, rabbits crammed into boxes, mangy cats. These animal markets should be avoided at all costs when looking for a pet. Despite appearances to the contrary, pet vendors will try to convince you that their animals are in the peak of health, fully vaccinated, and completely weaned. The truth is that most will have been separated from their mothers before the 2 – 4 month weaning period (a trauma which can cause ill health and behavioural problems), pumped with steroids and vitamins so they look healthy, and issued with fake vaccination certificates. And, of course, there’s no chance of a refund or after-care if your animal falls ill or dies.

Pet shops aren’t much better than markets. Animals suffer the same cramped conditions, and most are sourced from huge puppy and kitten farms. A lot of people think that buying a pedigree dog or cat is the best option where health is concerned, but mongrels actually live longer and have fewer health problems. The wider the gene pool, the healthier the animal. But if you’re in love with a particular breed, Shanghai Naughty Family will help you find the dog of your dreams. This oddly named organisation has a branch in Pudong (1529 - 1531 Dongfang Lu) and one in Puxi (2293 Hongqiao Lu) and breeds, sells, and cares for pedigree cats and dogs.

3. Can I adopt a pet in Shanghai?

If you’d rather do your bit for animal welfare, adopting is an option. Second Chance Animal Aid (www.scaashanghai.org) re-homes hundreds of Shanghai’s abandoned cats and dogs, and organises regular adoption days at O’Malleys Irish Pub for potential new owners. All they ask is a ¥500 donation. There’s also Jaiya’s Animal Rescue which was set up earlier this year to care for stray animals and place them with new owners. Email shanghaidogs@gmail.com for information. Both charities rely on foster carers to look after their animals, as they don’t have premises.

4. What pet licenses will I need?

Feline friends don’t need to be licensed in Shanghai, but paperwork is required for dogs. Before you start applying for a license it’s a good idea to have a Chinese friend on hand to help you – there’s a lot of documentation to wade through. First you need to provide your dog’s health certificates. Rabies is a huge problem in China, so the authorities want to know that your pet isn’t a carrier. He or she will also need to have had the DHPPI vaccine. You’ll also need to fill in a special form (Click here to download the form) and get the management of your building or apartment complex to sign it, get a copy of your lease, your passport, proof of employment in Shanghai, a passport photo of yourself, and a 3 inch full-body photo of your dog. When you’ve gathered all that together, take it (and your Chinese friend) to the local police station. Not every station deals with dog licenses. If your nearest one doesn’t, they’ll direct you to the closest that does. The application should take around 10 days to process. If you live within the Inner Ring Road it will cost you ¥2000. Between the Inner and Outer Ring Roads it’s ¥1000, and ¥100 if you live beyond the Outer Ring.

Once you’ve got your license, carry it with you whenever you’re outside with your dog. The authorities are incredibly strict about dog licensing; don’t think you can get away without having one just because you’re a foreigner. If your ayi walks your dog, make sure she has the license with her. Patrol officers have been known to confiscate dogs without even letting owners go and fetch the license from their apartments.

5. Should I have my pet neutered?

When you’ve got your pet home, task number one on your ‘to do’ list should be neutering. Neutered pets are healthier and happier, and they don’t add to Shanghai’s unmanageable tally of unwanted animals. Most local vets will agree to neuter your pet, but the process is a complex one and shouldn’t be entrusted into the hands of doctors who aren’t properly qualified. Word of mouth favourites in Shanghai are St. Anthony Animal Rescue in Gubei (440 Hami Lu, 3208 2880), and the PAW clinic (No. 15, Lane 722 Xinhua Lu, 5254 0611). Neutering ranges from ¥600 to ¥1000 depending on the sex and species of your pet. This might sound steep, but it’s well worth paying a couple of hundred RMB more at a Western clinic than risking your pet’s life and health with cheaper, less qualified vets. Neutering should be performed when your pet is 6 to 9 months old. As for general check-ups and health problems, St. Anthony’s and PAW are the best vets to go to. Check-ups usually cost around ¥100. 

6. Where can I buy pet food in Shanghai?

For food and litter supplies, head to any branch of City Shop for branded products. Local supermarkets stock Chinese brands, which are perfectly adequate unless your dog or cat has specific tastes.

7. Where can I walk my dog in Shanghai?

Most people in Shanghai live in apartments, which aren’t the ideal places for dogs, especially bigger breeds. Make sure yours gets plenty of exercise by taking him or her out at least once a day. Annoyingly, dogs aren’t allowed in the city’s public parks, which limits the options. However, canine-friendly O’Malley’s in the French Concession (42 Taojiang Lu) allows dog owners to bring their pets along. Sheshan Sculpture Park is a bit of a hike away (45 minutes out of town by car) but if you don’t mind the distance and the entrance fee - ¥80 per adult and ¥30 per dog – it’s a great place to let your pup run free (elsewhere your dog can be confiscated if seen outdoors without a leash). There’s no strict rule about muzzling your dog, but if s/he bites then it obviously makes sense.

8. Should I let my cat outside?

Despite the temptation to do so, and the trauma of keeping an independent cat indoors, it’s not wise to let them outside. Too many local strays are diseased, and there’s a risk – remote, yet real – of someone catching your cat to sell on for fur, food, or re-sale.

9. Can someone look after my pet while I’m away?

If you have to leave Shanghai on business or vacation, you’ll need someone to take care of your pet. Unless you have a kind friend who will do the honours, your best bet is to contact Sabrina Feng, owner of www.petinshanghai.com who can arrange a pet-sitter or a place at a kennel or cattery. Alternatively, book your pet into Paradise Kennel in Songjiang. As well as top notch care, Paradise offers an off-leash outdoor exercise area. To book, call Tony on 13818793693.

10. Can I take my pet home with me when I leave Shanghai?

If you’re coming to the end of your time in Shanghai and don’t want to leave your dog or cat behind, you can take it home with you. Transporting animals out of China isn’t the easiest of processes, so make sure before you buy a cat or dog that you’re willing to go through the hassle of getting it back to your home country.Some countries are stricter than others when it comes to accepting animals from China, so check first before starting procedures.

Your cat or dog will need an I.S.O. microchip (which it will usually have if it has had its yearly registration check-ups), and a government-issued rabies shot at the Shanghai Customs Bureau (13 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu). Between seven and four days before leaving China, your pet will need a check-up to test for rabies, after which the Export Certificate will be issued. Note - even if your pet has a clean bill of health from an independent vet, the authorities will only accept government issued certificates. Then you can book a plane ticket for your pet, and make sure you have the right sort of cage for transportation.

A pet relocation company can make the process easier. Your agent will walk you through the documentation and testing schedule, and arrange the flight. Sabrina at www.petinshanghai.com has plenty of experience relocating pets, as does St. Anthony’s (email petimport@scaashanghai.org).

With all of that in mind, you’re all set. Good luck, and enjoy your pet.

Related links

Pet Care Services in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen

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1 Comments

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amelia22brown

Thanks for sharing the great for feeding street dogs. Pet care foods are now easily available at sites like PetCareRx and another website, so anyone can buy it and feed street dog at their location

Nov 24, 2022 00:34 Report Abuse