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[AmandaRose]

I have a question about having a pet in Taiwan. I come from Canada, where the Tenant Protection Act makes it illegal for a landowner to prevent their renters from having a pet. Having a cat is very important to me, and although I know that I cannot bring my cat with me, I am quite certain that I will either be fostering or adopting a pet. So, my question is, how will this affect finding an apartment, or keeping it should I get a pet after moving in? Can landlords in Taiwan prohibit renters from having a pet? And is it hard to find a place that will allow pets? Any advice on this would be most welcome!

Xie xie!

[dangerousapple]

Most landlords only care about you paying the rent on time, and will leave you alone.

[BigWally]

i know a girl who has like 6 cats...there are so many strays and and so many designer pets around taiwan it is almost ridiculous...

[StayingPower]

AR,

It's an important question and one I'd asked on this forum too. I brought some animals over here, had a really strange encounter with customs, whereby they made me pay an extra NT 5,000. Never mind the NT 15,000 I'd already paid the airlines!

So you're right about not taking your pet cat here. And what the others said here is true too. Adopting cats is a cinch here, many need your love, and there's a great organization at www.animalstaiwan.org(tw?) They can answer all of your questions concerning landlords and pets. Though in general, being frank here doesn't go over well and you might have to feel things out. Believe me, however, in that there are many animals/cats here that need your love.

A cat, therefore, should pose no problem. If you really want to be a petlover though, ask animalstaiwan.org to assist you in bringing your own cat.

The only problem you might have about taking in a pet, is the same one I'm facing. Landlords may use this against you, as sort of leverag in some way shape or form. I took in two beautiful stray dogs, and in order to keep them, my landlord wants to move me into a more expensive apartment, albeit a much more livable one, but one I cannot now afford. So I have to keep the dogs outside, in a cage.

Pets, however, are vital to living abroad, and the American military even has its own adoption/vet program.

Beware too, location and apartment size. You need the right environment, will endure a lot of stress, and your pet would definitely have to be an in-door cat. Many stray alley cats exist here, and some are ferocious, even tough enough to fend off big dogs.

Good luck.

[AmandaRose]

Thanks so much for answering my question! I can't wait to get over there and take in a homeless cat!

[BigWally]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/connectkaohsiung/

if you're coming to kaohsiung, join/check out this site for postings or a link for ATK, they are a homeless shelter for animals and always looking for foster parents....great service if you ask me!