Job Discussion Forums

[spatrick]

Hi,

I have another question. After having read many of the postings here, I'm a bit more skeptical about what my potential employer says.

I'm going to be bringing my beloved cat into China. I've been sent a unofficial copy of "the law" which states I can bring her in without quarantine. Do any of you know if this is true?

My cat thanks you,

Patrick

[TEECHER]

HELLO TO YOU AND YOUR CAT, What part of China would you be moving to? I also have a great cat which i left back in Canada when i came to teach in China. I am glad I did. Has your cat has ABSOLUTELY ALL of its shots? The fact that China will allow animals into the country without even a cursory check of health records should set off warning bells. There are many unhealthy , mangy dogs and cats here. If in fact you bring the cat, I could suggest that maybe it would be best to attempt to keep it indoors. As well, depending on where you choose to live here, cat and dog are both eaten on a regular basis. There is a "dog" restaurant just down the road from me here in Mianyang. I guess my biggest fear after disease, would be that the cat might venture out into the great unknown. A beautiful healthy specimen of a cat might well find itself going off in a bag , and served for lunch faster than you can say chop-suey. I kid you not. Bye for now.

[earth_dog]

Patrick,

If you really love your cat, leave him/her at home. I concur with Teecher and ask you to consider a couple other things. You can see from many postings on this board that working in China is not an easy task and more than one teacher has done a midnight run to escape an unhealthy situation. I'm not implying that your prospective employer would fall into that category, but one never really knows. Having a cat would definitely make things more difficult.

I too have been in this situation. I worked in Taiwan for two years and Hong Kong for two years and both times had to leave my cat behind. I'm sure I missed him more than my two legged friends as he never really figured out how to use the phone. He's since gone to the big litter box in the sky, so I don't have this worry now. I would never dream of subjecting a foreign pet to life here, it's hard enough on me. The food you can buy for pets is not the best and, not knowing exactly where in Hunan you will be, you may not even be able to find that. I worked in Hunan, it's a poor province and without many of the amenities you will find in larger centres. Again, I know how hard this is, but please reconsider your decision.

[Roger]

IT's sound advice to refrain from bringing your pet to China! First of all, a cat never likes such a traumatising experience as travelling!
And teaching in China is a stressful job at least in the beginning. There is no job nstability. If you lose your job you lose your housing benefits as well. A midnight run, where to? Hotels may decline to accept a cat. You can't just go out and rent accommodation!
And it is true that cats often end up on a restaurant table. You find the most affectionate and trusting animals ending their lives first - in restaurants!
Direct your animal health requirement questions to a consulate, but from the bottom of my heart - which is full of love for four-legged creatures! - I suggest you find someone back home to look after your cat! There are plenty of ownerless pets you can take care of here...

[MartinK]

...

[spatrick]

Thanks all for your thoughts.

I'm still a newbie, so the thought that the University would fire me or worse sounds a little odd.

I think I'll simply stay with my cat, in another country.

Thanks again.

Patrick

[scot47]

I think you have made the right decision.