For most families, the addition of a furry friend makes the family feel complete. For kids, owning a pet is like a rite of passage. It teaches them about responsibilities and compassion, and there is growing evidence that having a pet in the house can help babies grow up with a stronger immune system.

While some expats bring their fur-babies to Beijing from their home countries, there are plenty of us who made the decision to expand our families after we’ve moved. But before you get caught up looking at cute puppy videos online as research on your new furry family member, be sure to get acquainted with the details on pet ownership laws in Beijing.

Buy or Adopt?

This one’s easy: always adopt if you can! Give a pup or kitten a second chance and a fur-ever home that they deserve. International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) has many animals who are in need of a loving home. These pets have already received their shots and ICVS will continue to provide financial help during checkups for pet owners of adopted pets. If you’re specifically looking to adopt a puppy, you can also contact Lost Puppies of Beijing (WeChat ID: lostpuppies), an association that rescues and fosters stray puppies before finding new loving homes for them.

Registration

Not all pets need to be registered in Beijing, only dogs, so if you have a cat, you’re in the clear. Beijing law states that all dog owners in the capital are required to register their pets annually with the Public Security Bureau (PSB), or have their pets automatically be considered stray and subject to confiscation. Under normal circumstances, the registration period runs May 1 and Jun 30, regardless of when the dog was initially registered. Registration costs RMB 500. This year, due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 the city has extended dog registration period to Dec 31.

A Question of Breeding

Beijing has a long and complicated history with dogs, probably due to historically high rates of rabies. Therefore, ‘large’ and ‘aggressive’ dogs may not be kept within many city districts. Such dogs are defined as those whose height exceeds 35cm, measured from the shoulder. The PSB website offers a helpful list of larger and banned breeds, such as Tibetan mastiff, Dobermann, greyhound, chow chow, and akita, among others.

Exotic Tastes

If you’ve watched the Netflix blockbuster series Tiger King recently you may be disappointed to learn that there are definitely no pet tigers in Beijing. The most common pets in Beijing are dogs and cats, although you’ll see the occasional bunny, bird, ferret, hamster, or tropical fish. The main barrier to owning any animal other than a cat or dog in Beijing is that due to Chinese law, you won’t be able to take them out of the country when you decide to move. Many exotic animals have surprisingly long lifespans, which can easily exceed the standard work contract in Beijing. Be responsible when you’re considering expanding your family, and think about your long term relocation plan… are you sure you’ll still want that cute chinchilla in twenty years’ time?

Lifestyle and Habits

Before falling head over heels with one particular pet, think about your lifestyle in Beijing. Are you a homebody, or do you like to go out and explore? How old are your children? Do you or your partner frequently work overtime? Do you like to spend your weekends out with friends, and do overnight stays? Different types of pets require different levels of commitment and if you’re going to make them a member of your family, think about what needs they have and if you can realistically provide that for them.

Bye-Bye Beijing

It’s worth saying again: according to Chinese law, the only animals that can be legally taken out of the country are cats and dogs. Even for these two animals, sending a pet abroad is a lengthy process that should be begun as many as up eight months prior to the move depending on which country you’re moving to. The process can be a headache for many people but thankfully places like ICVS, Doctors Beck and Stone, and Globy Pet Relocation offers regular classes on how to relocate with your pets as well as relocation services. But whatever you do, don’t wait until the last minute to start inquiring. Vaccinations and health certificates take time and you don’t want have to choose between delaying your departure or leaving Fido behind.

Useful Services

International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) 

北京新天地国际动物医院

3-16 Rongke Ganlan Chengshang Jie, Futongxi Dajie, Wangjing, Chaoyang 朝阳区望京阜通西大街 融科橄榄城商街13-16号

Tel: 8456 1939

Doctors Beck and Stone Health Care Center 

思威（北京）国际动物医院

Unit 104, Tower B, Bldg 3, Hou Xiandai Cheng, Baiziwan Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区百子湾路后现代城3栋B座104底商

Tel: 8774 8653

Globy Pet Relocation

Rm 26B, Block 2, Bauhinia Court, 30 Dongsanhuan Beilu,

Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路30号紫荆豪庭2座26B

Tel: 8762 5020

A third culture kid (TCK) is someone who spends a significant part of their formative years being raised in a culture that is different from that of their parents. Among TCKs there is often a sense of not really belonging to the culture of the country that their parents originated from or the culture in which the family currently resides; hence, the development of a third culture.

I was raised as a third culture kid and it was amazing: it makes you adaptive, cultivates creative problem solving, and helps you develop a worldwide network of friends that will last a lifetime. But like everything else, it has its downsides too.

By the time I hit 4th grade, my family had relocated seven times across two continents. Every 6-12 months I had to pack my life into a few boxes, move to a new house (that usually smelled funny), make new friends at a new school (that also usually smelled funny), and get used to new food (that always smelled funny).

It also created a lot of guilt for my parents. Each new journey meant uprooting my siblings and me at the most vulnerable stage in our development. Luckily for me, my mom was creative, and my dad was organized; a combination which meant I escaped relatively unscathed and learned to view change as an opportunity for adventure.

As an educator, I have lived in Washington D.C., New York, and now Beijing, all places with a high number of diplomatic, military, and international parents. My early experiences have helped me assist my students and their families as they adjust to new cities they now have to call home. And over the years I’ve collected some helpful tips (or third culture kid hacks) that have been helpful to my students.

Before the Move

Break the News Gently: Let your child know what is happening several weeks before the move. Young children think in pictures and stories, so to help them understand the upcoming move and change to their daily life, I suggest creating two picture books. The first one should be filled with photos of the country to which you are going. Choose things that will capture and inspire their imagination! For example, telling your kids that you’re moving to China might include The Great Wall, the Terra Cotta Warriors, and dragon dancers. Then explain that your family is going to get to see all of these wonderful things soon. Look at and talk about these pictures for several days. Find the country on the map each night before bed, ending each day with “see you soon China!”

The second book should be introduced about a week after that. This should have more specific photos, such as the airplane and suitcases you will use and photos of your new home if possible. Reach out to your child’s new school and ask for photos of the classroom and their teachers. Talk to colleagues who are already there and see if there is a nearby children’s park and try to get a photo of that as well.

Answer Questions: Your little one is probably going to have lots of questions, some that you expect and some you really, really don’t see coming. It’s important to acknowledge their concerns but answer their questions simply, honestly, and with a positive outlook.

For example, questions like “will my friends come with us?” can be answered with “no they will stay here but we can still video chat with them and you will get to make lots of new friends!”

Build Excitement: Having your own fears and doubts is normal but remember that kids take their cues from you. So, let them hear you talk excitedly about all the fun things you will get to see and do.

I also suggest letting them pick something special that will be waiting for them at the new house, like Superman sheets for their bed or the doll they have been asking for. Let them know that the item lives at their new home and will be waiting for them when they arrive. Do not let them see it or play with it ahead of time. Pro tip: Pack it in your carry-on luggage so it definitely arrives and doesn’t get lost in checked bags.

Two weeks before your move date set up a countdown calendar. Each night they get to cross off a day and count how many days are left until the adventure begins! Explain out exactly what will happen: “In 5 days the movers will come, then we will all get on an airplane and land in our new home! See you soon China!”

When You Arrive

Create Familiar Spaces: Set up the kitchen first. It’s easy as an adult to want to jump right into the local cuisine, that’s part of what’s exciting about a new city after all. But remember that your little one has just been through some huge changes and comfort food is probably in order. Simple, familiar dishes go a long way to soothing an anxious two-year old’s soul.

Second, set up your child’s bedroom. Get out as many comforting, familiar items from their old room as possible. Toys, blankets, books, and of course, the new item they have been waiting for. Having a space that feels familiar to them will ease a lot of tension and provide them with a safe haven when things start to feel overwhelming.

Get on a Schedule: I cannot stress enough how important this is. Try to find a few “anchor” activities around which you can build your schedule as soon as possible. For older kids, this is usually school but for younger children see if you can find a toddler music class once or twice a week, set up playdates in the park at standard times, and, if possible, have the family eat one meal a day together at a fixed time. Your child needs consistency right now in order to feel safe.

Plan an Adventure: After the dust has settled, plan a small daytime adventure for the family. Try a local restaurant or go to a park with street performers like the dragon dancers from their book. Just keep it simple and use it as a way to remind your child (and you) why traveling to a new place is so amazing!

Be Gentle With Your Child: Every little one is different and will have a different tolerance to and timeline for adjusting to change. Despite your best efforts, there will be bad days filled with melt-downs. Remember this is a situation where your child has very little control so be patient as they adjust to their new normal.

Be Gentle With Yourself: Expat life looks very glamorous from the outside. Our Instagram feeds are filled with images most people have only dreamed about and friends and family can sometimes think that we are on one long vacation. They don’t see the frustration of relearning simple daily tasks, the exhaustion of trying (and often failing) to communicate, or the inability to find a western-style bathroom you – not to mention your potty training three-year-old – can actually use.

The life of an international family is rewarding but hard. So, make sure you take a little time each day to recharge. Read a book, go for a massage, or take some time to enjoy a glass of wine. Trust me, you are doing better than you think you are, in fact, you make it look easy!

Julie Wolf is the Director of First Five Early Education Centers in New York and Director of International Education for Newhattan Early Education Centers in China. She has been working with children and parents for over 18 years as a teacher, arts integration specialist, curriculum designer, and staff development expert.

KEEP READING: Helpful Tips for When It’s Time to Leave Beijing

Photos: Unsplash

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 June issue

Beijing is one of the largest cities in the world, with a huge population of foreigners, including a big Hispanic community. Meet three Latino expat families who came to Beijing with their hearts ready for new adventures that only a city like ours could fulfill.

The Bonani Family

Juan Bonani moved to China from Brazil in Feb 2015 to teach one of the most popular sports in the world, football. After moving to several different cities around China throughout the years, Bonani decided to settle in Beijing with his wife Chanel. Since he had lived abroad as a child, moving to China didn’t come as a big challenge to Bonani and he arrived with an open mind and accepted the best of what the country could offer him. As well as being a football coach, Bonani works at the Beijing International Bilingual Academy (BIBA) as a PE teacher. He is grateful that international schools provide long breaks, especially during the summer so he can make the long trip back home to catch up with family and friends. Bonani’s advice to other expats living in Beijing who are trying to make the best out of their experience is to come with an open mind and always remain positive. As for himself, he plans to stay here as long as he can in order to continue taking the great opportunities Beijing has to offer.

Claudia Besnier and Her Family

Claudia Besnier, her husband, José Miguel, and their five children, Martina (6), Catalina (9), Sophie, (11), Andre (14), and Tanya (16) arrived in Beijing ready for a new start in Mar, 2015. Although settling into a new country and learning your way around is always a challenge, they felt they were ready for the change and always kept a positive attitude when confronted with the struggles of being newbies in a foreign country. Besnier believes that the key to making the most of your experience is to stay busy and connected to other expats in order to learn from each other. For spouses that have little to no work, taking time to learn the language of the host country, keeping yourself busy, and joining activities offered to the expat community, all serve towards your happiness and tranquility. She also mentions that she highly values dedicating her weekends to quality time with her family. A positive aspect of living in Beijing that Besnier brings up is how secure it feels when moving around the city. For many expats who come from Latin American countries, this is a major bonus. Overall, Besnier and her family feel very happy here. The enriching cultural experiences and the meaningful friendship connections made is something they value and appreciate. Currently, they are all in Chile and hope to return to China in the near future to their home in Beijing.

Teresa Rodriguez’s Story

Finding himself suddenly unemployed and having to seek a job outside of Mexico, Teresa Rodriguez’s husband had to look even farther away from home to continue supporting their family and secure a future for their daughters. Therefore, the story of how they moved to China comes with an array of emotions.

In May of 2011, Rodriguez’’s husband had to make the trip to his new job in China alone, leaving his family behind. With tears and sadness, they all said their good-byes and promised to stay strong and to support each other despite the distance.

In June of 2013, Rodriguez’ decided to join her husband in Beijing while both their daughters stayed in Mexico to continue their university studies. Things were a little difficult for Rodriguez’ at the beginning. She was often lonely and missed her daughters dearly while she settled into a new place so different from home, but that changed when she decided to explore the world outside her doorstep and began to connect with others around her. She tackled lessons such as Mandarin, cooking, Tai Chi, and photography. Rodriguez also reached out to the expat community and established several friendships, and even volunteered up her time as a translator at the Beijing United Family Hospital.

The challenges were there and the thought of being away from her daughters was also hard for her, but the realization of being in a place with such a vast and rich culture gave Rodriguez the motivation to immerse herself into discovering what each day could provide for her. During her seven years in Beijing, she has seen many positive changes especially regarding technology which makes life easier for foreigners (translators, WeChat, cashless transactions, Didi, etc).

Rodriguez’s motto has been to look at the silver lining, leave the negative aside, and absorb the unique experiences that only a city like Beijing can deliver. China will always be in her heart!

As expat experiences go, sometimes it seems like it all boils down to one thing: getting yourself out of your comfort zone and out of your bubble. The trick to enjoying your experience is to explore the city that you now call home and experience all the wonderful things the experience of living abroad has to offer. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should never be taken for granted.

Eloisa Duarte is a translator and language instructor who is living in China for the second time. Her interest includes languages, writing, Latin culture, music among others. She lives here with her husband Joseph and two daughters, Katherine and Sofia.

KEEP READING: Making Chicken and Mushroom Pasta, Family Style

Photos: courtesy of Eloisa Duarte

When I was seven years old, my family moved from China to sunny Southern California. Although I was excited to start my new life in the US, I remember being scared to leave my extended family, friends, and basically everything I knew behind to move to a land where I didn’t know the language, culture, or anyone other than my parents. Our first few months in the US were difficult. With no Google or Yelp available, we relied on the Yellow Pages (remember those thick phone books from the old days?) and recommendations from friends and neighbors to get by. If only we had something like a Home and Relocation Guide handy, I know it would have made life so much easier.

Now that I’m a seasoned expat, I’m so pleased to be able to share all the Beijing life lessons and hacks that make life in our fair city that much easier and fun for the whole family. So with that said, welcome to your new home and let’s dig into the 2020-2021 beijingkids Home and Relocation Guide!

In this issue we share tips on finding an apartment in Beijing and negotiating a housing contract so you don’t fall victim to scammers or ill-written contracts. Don’t believe that moving nightmares happen here? Three expat families share their housing stories so you can hopefully learn from their misfortune.

For kids, the move can be stressful. Education expert Julie Wolf shares her tips for preparing young kids for the big move and our student correspondent Sharanya Trivedi shares her first-person experience as a globe-trotting teen.

Make your family’s life in Beijing easier and get all the deets on finding an ayi to help you run your home, the know-how on finding the right school for your little ones, the legal ins and outs of owning a dog in the city and bringing your fur-baby out of China when you leave, as well as the lowdown on the city’s best family-friendly parks where you can spend a sunny afternoon picnicking.

I’m a firm believer that home is where the heart is. Beijing is a welcoming city, with a community of expats from all around the world, so if you make the effort to explore all the great things and culture that the city has to offer, then you’ll be feeling right at home in no time.

KEEP READING:  Helpful Tips for When It’s Time to Move On From Beijing 

Photos: Uni You

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 June issue