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smokesignals
Joined: 06 Mar 2014
Posts: 22
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 Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 8:58 am Post subject: Importing a pet dog into China |
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I have lived in Korea and the middle-east, and know about the negative perceptions of dogs there. Just want to know how the Chinese feel about dogs - I believe "dog" is on the menu there, as in Korea.
I am thinking about China as a new location for work, and it will probably be in a big city, like Shenzhen. Some questions please:
- Import process - steps and complications?
- Does a dog have to arrive as "cargo", or can it arrive as "excess baggage" with owner?
- Specialist pet courier companies from Europe to China?
- Availability and state of boarding kennels (general opinions)?
- Vets?
- Walking your dog in the street, or in the park - how is it?
- Number of dog owners in China, ex-pat or local, is it increasing?
- Finding an apartment which accepts dogs - difficult?
BTW my dog is not a small cute toy dog, he is similar to a small greyhound, and he needs 2 good walks a day. |
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doogsville
Joined: 17 Nov 2011
Posts: 924
Location: China
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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I know nothing about the process of bringing a dog into China, but...
Dogs are quite common pets here, certainly in Guangdong. There are lots of vets around and most of them seem to offer boarding facilities. I have rarely encountered dogs**t, which is refreshing, considering the number of dogs I see. Every supermarket I've ever been in stocks plenty of dog food and dog treats. Also cat food, but cat treats are harder to find, much to the dismay of my cat. More rich people than poor people seem to have dogs.
More rich people than poor people seem to eat dogs. Dog meat is not that common in restaurants in Guangdong, at least in the city I live in (Zhuhai). It's available, but I'm told it's very expensive.
A lot of people I see with dogs treat them more like children than pets. A lot of people seem to walk dogs in parks and similar areas, rather than just taking them to the shops or that kind of thing. Come to think of it, I don't recall ever seeing a dog tied up outside a shop, as they often are in the UK. I have seen a few dogs tethered to bikes though, and being taken for a run.
As to apartments, I think it's a question of 'don't ask, don't tell'. As long as you pay your rent and pay for any damage caused by your dog I don't think it will be an issue. |
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Gonzofiend
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: Importing a pet dog into China |
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| smokesignals wrote: |
I have lived in Korea and the middle-east, and know about the negative perceptions of dogs there. Just want to know how the Chinese feel about dogs - I believe "dog" is on the menu there, as in Korea.
I am thinking about China as a new location for work, and it will probably be in a big city, like Shenzhen. Some questions please:
- Import process - steps and complications?
- Does a dog have to arrive as "cargo", or can it arrive as "excess baggage" with owner?
- Specialist pet courier companies from Europe to China?
- Availability and state of boarding kennels (general opinions)?
- Vets?
- Walking your dog in the street, or in the park - how is it?
- Number of dog owners in China, ex-pat or local, is it increasing?
- Finding an apartment which accepts dogs - difficult?
BTW my dog is not a small cute toy dog, he is similar to a small greyhound, and he needs 2 good walks a day. |
I'm not an expert on this, but I investigated it when I was wanting to bring my dog with me. (I miss you my Maxine.  )
Import: You must have a certificate from a vet saying the dog is disease free and this check must be done within 4 days of it arriving in China. Even with this document the dog will be quarantined upon arrival, for 1 month in Beijing, or for 2 weeks in Shanghai depending on which city you enter. I don't know about Shenzhen or what the cost of the quarantine is. The website for the Chinese Govt. can give you more details.
Baggage: If the dog is small enough, it can ride with you inside the seating area of the plane. Yours sounds too big though, so it would have to ride with the baggage in a pet carrier. (You need a pet carrier regardless of whether it's in the cabin or the hold. Airlines can give you more specific information as all airlines have different rules.
Pet Couriers: There are American companies that do this, so undoubtedly there are European companies that do. They should be easy to find on the net.
Kennels: This may be tough, but in the biggest cities there might be some. Vets are easier to find, I'm sure they could give you info on that when you arrive.
Vets: In the big cities, yes. Smaller cities may have lesser availability.
Dog Walking: Here in Beijing I see people walking dogs all the time. Just keep them on the leash, clean up their poops, and watch them carefully. There is a lot of trash, broken glass, and bad things for them to eat, like chicken bones.
Ownership: Here in Beijing, dog ownership is huge, while in places like Xi'an, it is less common. I would imagine ownership is increasing, but I don't have the baseline knowledge to confirm that hypothesis.
Apartments: It shouldn't be too hard, or people just break the rules and own dogs anyway Expect to pay a pet deposit naturally. It might not be too easy, but it should be doable.
I would say that the Chinese are becoming much more accepting of dogs generally, but by our standards they can be quite callous in their treatment of animals. But I think that is slowly improving as they become more westernized. Yes, they do eat dog here, but usually only one breed, literally called "meat dog" as a breed. In a big city, I doubt anyone will kidnap your dog to eat it, but you need to keep your eye out that people treat it nicely. Returning home with your dog may be very difficult, so be sure to check the regulations of your country before you leave and have plenty of proof that you owned the dog before you left.
Good luck. |
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smokesignals
Joined: 06 Mar 2014
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:45 am Post subject: |
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Thanks very much for your informative posts. My dog is up to date with his vaccinations, and has a pet kennel, having flown previously from the middle-east to Europe.
Looks like the way to go is to contact a local English speaking vet, in my eventual location of work, if I choose to go. They could help with the processing, or just pay a pet courier. Good to know there are boarding facilities at vets, and food in supermarkets.
It is a real bummer about the quarantine
Good advice too about departing China with a dog - essential to check that out, and rules in countries of arrival.
Will update, if decide to go ahead. |
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