Showing 28 posts from October 2008
This article explains some of the common difficulties expats wanting to move to Shanghai can encounter. Read it here or below. If you're interested in learning about our program of sending pets to Shanghai, please contact us!
EXPATS intent on moving to Shanghai for a long stint often want to bring their pets with them. But with all the rules, regulations and paperwork required, it's surely a big decision, writes Tan Xian.
Having decided to settle in Shanghai, Renee Allen is keen to bring her five-year-old golden retriever, Benny, over from the United States.
But she continues to hesitate. Bringing a pet to the city from overseas is a complicated business.
For starters, Allen was told that if a pet failed a check at the airport customs gate, it could be euthanized.
She also learned from a company experienced in importing pets that a seven-day isolation period in a government-prescribed location, such as a pet hospital, is a must.
And when she studied local regulations on owning a dog in China on the Internet, she discovered that licensed dogs would still be caught if they don't follow certain rules. "The laws for dogs are too strict and complicated in Shanghai. I'm confused," Allen says.
Shanghai local Gee Gu, who has helped many pets enter and leave China, says people have to be careful when deciding whether to import pets.
"But the pets are taken good care of in the week-long isolation. The owner can even choose the brand of pet food," he says.
Dogs and cats are quite easy to bring in, says Gu. The owner just needs to provide two certificates from a vet and ensure the animal has had a rabies injection.
But other animals are forbidden. Gu once witnessed a girl arrive at the airport with a pet rabbit. As the law defines cats and dogs as the only pets allowed entry with a passenger, the rabbit had to be put down.
"Pets such as lizards or rabbits are defined as ordinary animals which are not easily brought into the country by private owners," Gu adds. "If the pet is a dog and likely to stay for a long period in the city, it needs a license."
EXPATS intent on moving to Shanghai for a long stint often want to bring their pets with them. But with all the rules, regulations and paperwork required, it's surely a big decision, writes Tan Xian.
Having decided to settle in Shanghai, Renee Allen is keen to bring her five-year-old golden retriever, Benny, over from the United States.
But she continues to hesitate. Bringing a pet to the city from overseas is a complicated business.
For starters, Allen was told that if a pet failed a check at the airport customs gate, it could be euthanized.
She also learned from a company experienced in importing pets that a seven-day isolation period in a government-prescribed location, such as a pet hospital, is a must.
And when she studied local regulations on owning a dog in China on the Internet, she discovered that licensed dogs would still be caught if they don't follow certain rules. "The laws for dogs are too strict and complicated in Shanghai. I'm confused," Allen says.
Shanghai local Gee Gu, who has helped many pets enter and leave China, says people have to be careful when deciding whether to import pets.
"But the pets are taken good care of in the week-long isolation. The owner can even choose the brand of pet food," he says.
Dogs and cats are quite easy to bring in, says Gu. The owner just needs to provide two certificates from a vet and ensure the animal has had a rabies injection.
But other animals are forbidden. Gu once witnessed a girl arrive at the airport with a pet rabbit. As the law defines cats and dogs as the only pets allowed entry with a passenger, the rabbit had to be put down.
"Pets such as lizards or rabbits are defined as ordinary animals which are not easily brought into the country by private owners," Gu adds. "If the pet is a dog and likely to stay for a long period in the city, it needs a license."
We can never stress the importance of microchips enough, and this breaking news story from Wisconsin explains why they're so useful!
RACINE, Wis. (AP) _ A Maltese dog named Max is headed home to Florida after he was spotted in Chicago — 1,000 miles from where he vanished.
Richard Gonzalez had reported a pet theft after Max disappeared several months ago from his daughter's yard in Brandon, Fla.
Gonzalez says he thought that Max would never get far. But the pooch was identified in Chicago by an implanted microchip.
Gonzalez contacted the Northcentral Maltese Rescue to retrieve Max. Rescue director Mary Palmer had the dog taken to Racine, Wis., and he will be flown Saturday to Florida.
Gonzalez says he has no idea how his dog got so far away. He says he was so thrilled about the find that he almost asked Palmer to put Max on the phone.
RACINE, Wis. (AP) _ A Maltese dog named Max is headed home to Florida after he was spotted in Chicago — 1,000 miles from where he vanished.
Richard Gonzalez had reported a pet theft after Max disappeared several months ago from his daughter's yard in Brandon, Fla.
Gonzalez says he thought that Max would never get far. But the pooch was identified in Chicago by an implanted microchip.
Gonzalez contacted the Northcentral Maltese Rescue to retrieve Max. Rescue director Mary Palmer had the dog taken to Racine, Wis., and he will be flown Saturday to Florida.
Gonzalez says he has no idea how his dog got so far away. He says he was so thrilled about the find that he almost asked Palmer to put Max on the phone.
Elmer has a great blog about living with pets in Hong Kong. You can find it here, or read below!
In Hong Kong, some married couples prefer to have pets over children because of a variety of reasons. That is why living with pets has been ubiquitous in many Hong Kong families. However, this may only be limited to households that have bigger homes and whose buildings are pet-friendly. This sometimes translates that affluent families have a better chance of making pets. And they should be, because the cost of taking care of dogs or cats can be higher than for humans.
Care for Pets
It's not only money that equates to license to keep pets. It also requires a commitment to take care of these pets all their life and only when they are cute and cuddly. Be prepared to clean a dog's waste when you take it for a walk in the streets. Otherwise, a fine of HK$1,500 awaits you. As Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, an animal welfare group notes, many pet owners are only fond of their wards when they are young and good looking but abandon them when they are old. That's not the way to treat a pet. Remember, a pet is not a toy and shouldn't be handled as one.
Getting A New Pet
SPCA is a place you can get a new pet. I would prefer getting one here rather than on those pet shops where I think (OK, I think!) that owners or their distributors farm their pets for commercial purposes. Think of it as a dog/cat factory selling them as pets. SPCA makes special care for abandoned pets or puppies/kittens of pet owners who can't keep too many offspring of their beloved ones.
Transporting Pets
If you're an expat moving to Hong Kong and would like to bring your beloved Labrador or chihuahua in your new place of work, pet transport is available. However for certain airlines, if you prefer them, pets can only be placed in cargo if they are bigger than allowed size.
Pet Grooming and Care
There are many pet grooming and care shops sprouting in the city. Veterinarians can also be found around the city. I don't know how much each consultation visit costs but I think Hong Kong people would do everything (and pay how much is charged) to make their pets look good and in best shape.
Pet Warnings
In recent news items, a notorious dog killer is lurking around the neighborhood of Bowen Road near Mid Levels placing poisoned food in the streets and treating dogs as if they are rats. So extra care should be enforced when walking dogs because it could also be on other areas.
The SPCA says more than 100 dogs in the area have died after eating insecticide-tainted meat left on the roadside and has offered a reward of HK$160,000 for information leading to conviction of the culprit.
I don't know why many parks restrict entry of pets. I wish there will be a special place for these beloved animals. If you live far from that dog park in Wan Chai (photo above) and away from the woods, it may be difficult to let your pet enjoy its environment. After all, it should be both pet owner and pet who should enjoy each other's company.
Photo credits: jmfresta
In Hong Kong, some married couples prefer to have pets over children because of a variety of reasons. That is why living with pets has been ubiquitous in many Hong Kong families. However, this may only be limited to households that have bigger homes and whose buildings are pet-friendly. This sometimes translates that affluent families have a better chance of making pets. And they should be, because the cost of taking care of dogs or cats can be higher than for humans.
Care for Pets
It's not only money that equates to license to keep pets. It also requires a commitment to take care of these pets all their life and only when they are cute and cuddly. Be prepared to clean a dog's waste when you take it for a walk in the streets. Otherwise, a fine of HK$1,500 awaits you. As Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, an animal welfare group notes, many pet owners are only fond of their wards when they are young and good looking but abandon them when they are old. That's not the way to treat a pet. Remember, a pet is not a toy and shouldn't be handled as one.
Getting A New Pet
SPCA is a place you can get a new pet. I would prefer getting one here rather than on those pet shops where I think (OK, I think!) that owners or their distributors farm their pets for commercial purposes. Think of it as a dog/cat factory selling them as pets. SPCA makes special care for abandoned pets or puppies/kittens of pet owners who can't keep too many offspring of their beloved ones.
Transporting Pets
If you're an expat moving to Hong Kong and would like to bring your beloved Labrador or chihuahua in your new place of work, pet transport is available. However for certain airlines, if you prefer them, pets can only be placed in cargo if they are bigger than allowed size.
Pet Grooming and Care
There are many pet grooming and care shops sprouting in the city. Veterinarians can also be found around the city. I don't know how much each consultation visit costs but I think Hong Kong people would do everything (and pay how much is charged) to make their pets look good and in best shape.
Pet Warnings
In recent news items, a notorious dog killer is lurking around the neighborhood of Bowen Road near Mid Levels placing poisoned food in the streets and treating dogs as if they are rats. So extra care should be enforced when walking dogs because it could also be on other areas.
The SPCA says more than 100 dogs in the area have died after eating insecticide-tainted meat left on the roadside and has offered a reward of HK$160,000 for information leading to conviction of the culprit.
I don't know why many parks restrict entry of pets. I wish there will be a special place for these beloved animals. If you live far from that dog park in Wan Chai (photo above) and away from the woods, it may be difficult to let your pet enjoy its environment. After all, it should be both pet owner and pet who should enjoy each other's company.
Photo credits: jmfresta
I received this from my friend Tim, who runs Animal Rescue Korea in Seoul, and thought I would post it for those of you living in Korea:
As many of you would know, the Daejeon shelter is finally closing and we have to move Mrs Jung's dogs to another location. In addition, the other shelter we help regularly with adoptions and fostering (the Samsong shelter in Ilsan) is also being evicted by their landlord.
We have secured some land in Yangju (north of Seoul) and we will be moving the remaining 75 dogs from Daejeon and 230 dogs (and 20 cats) from Ilsan to Yangju in late November.
This will be an expensive exercise (we estimate it will cost around 10 million won to move all 300 dogs and another 10 million won to construct a basic shelter for them on the new land) so to help us finance the move we will be holding our third shelter fundraiser on Friday next week (the 7th of November) at Stompers Bar in Itaewon (up the Itaewon Hill, next to Polly's Kettle). Attached is a flyer for the event with more information (and for anyone who might care to print some out and put them up somewhere in your area :)
The night starts at 7.30pm - music stars from 9.30pm: bands The Pines and Firefly will be playing, as will Ryan Warner and comedian Brian Aylward.
There will be great raffle prizes on the night, including a DVD player, an MP3 player, a 100,000 won dinner voucher from Sortinos Italian restaurant (and heaps of other stuff).
For anyone who hasn't see either of the shelters (or hasn't visited lately) please see the below pictures and videos from the Animal Rescue Korea website:
Videos of the Daejeon shelter from June 07, February 08 and September 08 (see the difference a few adoptions can make!)
Name: Marc
Subject: Overland shipping service for dog in Europe
Question: There must be a easy to use service for getting my dog, a Labrador, from Madrid to Paris for the holidays. Any advice?
Answer: Hello Marc!
Besides using a professional pet relocation company, such as ours, the easiest way to travel with your dog during the holidays would be to contact the airlines directly. Air France currently has a two-hour direct flight each way. Also, Air France has a good pet safe program and can fly year-round. Hope this helps, and if you have any more questions, our EU Specialist, Matt Johnson, would be happy to help you. His email adress is %20%20mathews@petrelocation.com">Mathews[at]petrelocation[dot]com.
Subject: Overland shipping service for dog in Europe
Question: There must be a easy to use service for getting my dog, a Labrador, from Madrid to Paris for the holidays. Any advice?
Answer: Hello Marc!
Besides using a professional pet relocation company, such as ours, the easiest way to travel with your dog during the holidays would be to contact the airlines directly. Air France currently has a two-hour direct flight each way. Also, Air France has a good pet safe program and can fly year-round. Hope this helps, and if you have any more questions, our EU Specialist, Matt Johnson, would be happy to help you. His email adress is %20%20mathews@petrelocation.com">Mathews[at]petrelocation[dot]com.
