How to Register a Dog in China

How to Register a Dog in China
May 21, 2018 By Niklas Westerlund , eChinacities.com

So you're in China and you have a dog. Maybe you moved here with your pooch or found a new best friend on arrival. Either way, your dog needs documents to prove his/her right to exist in China just the same as you do. Confused? Here's our guide on how to register a dog in China.

Apart from the typical requirements of owning a dog in China, such as personal responsibility, long-term planning and commitment, the Middle Kingdom also requires any and all dog owners to register their pets at their local police station, otherwise known as a Public Security Bureau (PSB). This is in fact quite common for countries and large municipalities throughout the world.

Once you've successfully registered your dog, you will get your dog license. Think of it as an accommodation registration -- one that you've probably done several times before -- except this time you first need to vaccinate and implant a microchip in the registee. Thankfully these procedures do not apply to foreigners (yet).

 

Why?

Regardless of whether you're a Chinese national or foreigner, you must register your dog for your dog ownership to be legal in China. This is also true regardless of where you live, although it's safe to assume that smaller cities and villages are far less scrutinized by the authorities than Beijing or Shanghai, for example.

Owning an unregistered dog in China will leave you completely helpless in the event that your dog is lost, caught or stolen. Some animal shelters won't even let you in the door unless you have a license, which means that even if they happened to find your lost dog, you won't be able to bail him or her out.

Even worse is that your dog can be confiscated for no reason by the authorities at any time, although big cities usually have set periods where they go around picking up “strays”. You have no legal recourse to intervene if you don't have your license on you, and you dog may be “destroyed”.

Chances are slim it will happen, but the risk is not worth taking. Acquiring a license by registering your dog is a no-brainer.

 

Size and breed restrictions

A few years back China witnessed a crazy fad for Tibetan Mastiffs. These massive dogs were on the wish list of any self-respecting nouveau riche Chinese. At the peak of the fad, Tibetan Mastiffs could sell for several million RMB at auctions, but the craze disappeared almost overnight.

There are many reasons as to why, but one very key factor is that the government started enforcing historic rules banning dogs over the height of 35 centimeters in the centres of large cities. Once the government began enforcing the rules, the Tibetan Mastiff fad imploded. Tibetan Mastiffs are now a rare sight in first-tier cities, and many of them ended up in animal shelters or worse.

The size rule is still technically in force in some parts of the country, although many get around it by registering their large dogs to a friend or relative's address outside of the city centre. Some cities, such as Beijing and Qingdao, also have a “one dog policy”, meaning residents with two or more pups in tow must register them all at different addresses. As long as the dogs are registered somewhere else you can parade them in the city centre without fear.

Along with the size requirements, the government has also enforced restrictions on what they refer to as “savage” dogs. Most dogs on the banned list are your typical fighting dog breeds such as Pit Bulls, but less savage breeds like Dobermans, and even some types are terrier, are also affected.

As nothing is ever for certain in China, remember that local rules apply. Always check with your closest PSB, a local vet/animal group or a clued-up friend first.

 

Preparation

Before you register a dog in China, you'll have to do two things: get your dog vaccinated against rabies and inserted with a microchip. If you spay (for females) or neuter (for males), your dog should also enjoy a discount when registering. Remember to do all such procedures at official veterinary clinics and save all the documentation you receive.

Once you have the necessary certificates, you can go to your local PSB. You'll need to bring several documents:

• Your passport

• Work permit card or residence permit (you need to be allowed to stay for at least a year to be able to register a dog in China!)

• Vaccination certificate

• Microchip certificate

• Your apartment contract (and remember, only one dog can be registered per address)

• At least two passport-sized photos of your dog (local rules may apply)

• Your dog (usually not required for renewals)

If you're unlucky, you might also have to have your dog ownership approved by your neighbours in the form of written consent. It's unlikely you'll be asked for that though; your best bet is to hope the PSB officer on duty is either having a great day or can't be bothered with the hassle of relaying this information to a foreigner.

 

The process

As is often the case with public functions in China, translation errors and outdated information are abundant. Each large city or province may or may not have special regulations regarding what kind of dogs are allowed, where they are allowed, and how you register them. What's essential to know, however, is that the registration period is restricted in some cities. In Beijing, for example, you cannot register a dog or renew your license outside of a May 1 - June 30 window.

The cost of registering your dog might also differ, from completely free to up to 2000 RMB. The general rule of thumb is, the bigger the city and the more central the area you live in, the more expensive and complicated it will be.

After you hand in all your materials and pay your money, you'll be handed a receipt and told to wait for a phone call, after which you can return to collect your license. The process should take no longer than 10 days, so go back to the station with your receipt if it goes much beyond that.

Once you have your license, remember to renew it each year. Renewing your dog license is easier and cheaper. You can usually just take your old card to the same station and ask them to renew it for the bargain price of 500 RMB.

Despite what impression this article may have given you, registering a dog in China is neither too complicated nor too convoluted. The possible repercussions of not registering your dog, however, are not worth thinking about.

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3 Comments

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andybrocks2012

this really needs to be done?

May 28, 2018 10:23 Report Abuse