There’s something for everyone this summer – so pet owners and animal lovers will rejoice to hear that Jingdong Pets is launching a pet-friendly pop-up event from Jun 5 to 20, with 25 participating cafes, restaurants, and shops throughout the capital!

Aptly titled “Drink With Them,” Jingdong Pets wants to celebrate our loyal furry companions by providing you and your pet with the rare opportunity to drink together in some of the city’s best hangouts. For this limited time period, swing by participating stores together with your furbaby and enjoy adorable feline- and canine-inspired drinks, as well as free treats courtesy of McFuddy and Royal.

Collaborating stores include One-Quarter Coffee Lab, 包间 Bao Jian, AvoTaco, and Cafe Duet, just to name a few. Some stores have even gone above and beyond to show their appreciation for our four-legged friends, creating one-of-a-kind drinks such as Bao Jian’s “Catnip” (pineapple and almonds with whiskey and catnip, yes real catnip). At another participating store, April and Cafe, one pet’s favorite red ball toy inspired the “Little Red Ball,” made with rum, roselle spice syrup, and hawthorn – which itself resembles a little red ball!

You can also look forward to special activities taking place on select days during the event’s run, such as a secondhand pet market, customized latte art for your drink, and a one-time special “Paw-puchino” for pets, made with a doggie-friendly cream substitute.

Fret not if you are without a furry companion, for you will have the chance to adopt one at the Bao Jian x Hello Animal pop-up adoption drive on Jun 12! Plus, you stand a chance to win a month’s supply of free coffee when you share photos of you and your fur friend from at least two participating stores during this event. Why I’m thinking of hitting all 25 stores with my little pup myself, so see you there! 

Scan the QR code on the posters above to join the group for more details.

KEEP READING: Help! 180 Pups Are in Urgent Need of Temporary Homes

Images: Courtesy of Organizer 

Anyone with a pet will tell you caring for a pet is a painstaking task, much like taking care of a child. From medical expenses to providing proper nutrition for one’s furry companion, it is a never-ending task to ensure one’s pet is happy and healthy.

The advent of the COVID-19 outbreak brought with it a unique set of challenges, particularly in China. Lack of information on how the disease was transmitted saw pet owners erroneously assuming their four-legged friends posed a risk, and consequently led to the mass abandonment and killing of pets throughout the country.

Moreover, for expats living in China who wanted to return to their home countries, this period has been filled with incredible uncertainty as fear of countries changing their regulations regarding animal import and exports arose. Needless to say, many pet owners are simply unaware of where to find relevant and up-to-date information.

Fortunately, our friends at ICVS are stepping in to provide Beijing pet owners with just such information.

Currently, as the dust seems to be settling in China, the rest of the world is contending with the ever-changing effects of COVID-19. A direct result of this is the mass cancellation of outbound flights to various destinations, which might directly affect a pet owner’s ability to leave China with their furry companion.

Mary Peng, CEO of ICVS notes, “The greatest challenges for pet owners at this time are the airlines and their pet transport schedules”, adding, “Directives and regulations are changing continuously so pet owners should keep in mind that the situation is dynamic and flight bookings must be checked and confirmed regularly, even up to the date of departure.”

However, even without the added complications of COVID-19, pet export is not simply a matter of packing up and leaving. The process itself, depending upon the destination, should start as early as six months before the date of departure.

Below is a comprehensive list of popular destinations around the world, their requirements, and how much time it might take to fulfill all the requirements before successfully departing.

This is the latest information as of March 21 and is subject to change.

European Union and UK – No significant changes to requirements for animal imports from China

• Pets must have ISO microchips, rabies vaccinations, and have passed the mandatory rabies antibody titer test. Pets may travel to the EU only after a three month waiting period is completed, beginning on the day the blood is drawn for the rabies antibody titer test. Add another seven to ten days to departure schedules to complete the final export health examination and customs declaration.
• From the date of microchipping and rabies vaccination, it will take at least 4.5 to five months or more to prepare a pet for EU and UK import.

USA/Canada – No significant changes to current requirements for animal imports from China

• Requires rabies vaccination at least 30 days before the departure date. Micro-chipping is mandatory based on PRC Customs Bureau requirements for all pets departing China.

Hong Kong

• Temporary suspension of animals from mainland China entering into Hong Kong, including transiting pets during coronavirus outbreak period.

Indonesia and Mauritius

• Temporary suspension of animals from mainland China entering into these countries during the Coronavirus outbreak period.

Australia – No significant changes to current requirements for animal imports from China

• Animals may not travel from mainland China to Australia directly. Animals must travel to an intermediate third country approved by Australia and reside there for at least two months before they can travel to Australia. Malaysia, one of the most popular intermediate countries in the region, has been de-listed by the Australian government as an approved intermediate country. Other options in the region include Singapore and South Korea, but your pet must also meet the import requirements of these countries in addition to that of Australia.

Malaysia

• Mandatory seven-day quarantine for all pets upon arrival. The country recently introduced a new requirement that all dogs and cats applying for import must be tested for canine or feline coronavirus and test results must be negative. The test must be a RT-PCR Coronavirus test. Dogs and cats have always had species specific coronavirus. These are not transmissible to humans and have no relation to the current COVID-19 strain. Any pet owners considering relocating to Malaysia should test their pets for canine or feline coronavirus as soon as they know they are departing (e.g., at least three to six months or more before departure date).

Singapore – No significant changes to current requirements for animal imports from China

• Primary rabies vaccination must have been given at least six months before the import date. Mandatory 30-day quarantine upon arrival. Pets must be micro-chipped, rabies vaccinated and must pass the rabies antibody titer test. The rabies antibody titer test is only valid for six months from the date of the blood draw for Singapore import. Singapore quarantine kennels often have a waiting list of several months, so you must begin preparing for Singapore at least six or seven months before your planned departure date.

South Korea – No significant changes to current requirements for animal imports from China

• Pets must have ISO microchip, be rabies vaccinated, and have passed the mandatory rabies antibody titer test.

Japan – No significant changes to current requirements for animal imports from China

• Pets must have ISO microchips, have at least two rabies vaccinations after micro-chipping, and have passed the mandatory rabies antibody titer test. Pets may travel to Japan only after completing a six month waiting period, from the date of the blood draw for the rabies antibody titer test. Add another seven to ten days to departure schedule to complete the final export health examination and customs declaration.
• From date of microchipping and rabies vaccination, it will take at least seven to eight months or more to prepare a pet for Japan.

Additional Information:

Dog licensing for departing pets:

• Any dog undergoing final export health examination and customs declaration at the Beijing Customs Bureau must have a valid Beijing dog license.
• Owners should have the dog license ID card and the fapiao proof of payment to present to Customs officials at the time of customs declaration (seven to ten days before departure date).
• Cats do not need to be licensed.

Advice regarding airline bookings:

• The airlines still flying into and out of China are subject to flight scheduling and routing changes. Some aircraft models are also being updated to accommodate changes in passenger volume. This means that the ability of these airlines to take pets either as carry-on, checked baggage, or as manifest air cargo may be affected, even though you may have had an earlier confirmed flight reservation or air cargo booking.
• Please confirm with your airlines and pet relocation agents again, and ensure you receive written confirmation (never only verbal confirmation).

ICVS continues to provide free information sessions for pet owners planning to take pets out of China and to import pets into China. For further information please visit the ICVS website, or add their official WeChat account to keep up-to-date with the latest pet export and pet health information.

Photos: Pixabay, Unsplash

Even though the onset of COVID-19 didn’t deter many Beijing expat families from weathering the storm in China, some families decided it was in their best interest to leave the country, if only for a spell. However such families and individuals with pets continue to find themselves in a tough position, and the difficulty of trying to leave the country with their pet, on such short notice no less, has come as quite a shock.

Because of this, some pet owners in Beijing and the rest of China have been forced to abandon their pets or give them up for adoption. The situation has been further complicated by misinformation spread at the beginning of the outbreak, claiming that pets might be carriers of the coronavirus strain which affects humans. It is often difficult to find pet export information within China and many-a pet owners have no clue where to start with the process of sending their pets back home.

But Globy Pet and Animal Relocation are in the business of ensuring you are not only well informed about the process and your options, but also the safe repatriation of your ‘furkid’ and a guaranteed happy reunion on the other side.

We spoke with members of Globy’s staff to get the ins and outs of flying your fur-baby home.

Tell us a little bit about your company. When did you start, why, and how long have you been in business?

Globy Pet Relocation was established in 2001 and we have offices in Shanghai (headquarters), Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. We provide pet and animal shipping services around the world. Our typical service includes detailed route planning, international airline arrangement, and door delivery. We strive to provide a hassle-free service to all our clients.

We are also proud members of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) and Animal Transportation Association (ATA). We’ve also had seats on the board of directors and memberships and accreditation at the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA), an international trade association of animal handlers, pet moving providers, kennel operators, veterinarians and others who are dedicated to the care and welfare of pets and small animals during transport locally, nationwide and worldwide.

We are also a past member of the board of directors at the Animal Transportation Association (ATA), a non-profit association dedicated to the safe and humane transportation of animals worldwide. As members of ATA, we subscribe to its policies and agree that our first consideration is the safe, humane, and expeditious handling of any animals under our care.

What are some of the most common destinations that your company services?

The most common destination for us would be European countries, Canada, and the United States. Nevertheless, Globy also covers many other countries and regions.

What are some destinations your company services that clients might not know about?

We send animals to some very difficult countries like Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, and Taiwan. Meanwhile, as an IPATA member, we help clients apply for quarantine space, import permits, and transit permits in destination countries or regions.

What are some of the new regulations around exporting pets from China?

With the recent developments, it is now mandatory that all pets are microchipped. Dogs should have a valid registration ID for export. Aside from that, cats and dogs should have their rabies vaccination and canine/feline vaccination up to date at all times.

Before a client decides to take their pet abroad, what are some of the things they must do before they contact you?

Pet relocation can be a lengthy process and it is best that pet owners touch base with us early. Globy will advise pet owners of the export guidelines, destination country’s requirements, and fees. With this information, the client can prepare their pets ahead of time and carefully plan their route, timing, and budget.

What is the process of exporting pets, step by step?

For pet export in China, guidelines are as follows:

1. Pet owner’s original passport and departure air ticket
2. Pet’s microchip
3. Pet’s original vaccination record, which includes annual rabies vaccination (more than 30 days, but less than one year prior to departure). These vaccinations must be issued by an approved vet.
4. Original Health Certificate
5. Export permit for cargo shipment
6. Valid dog registration ID

As for the destination country’s requirements, it will largely differ. It is best to discuss with the company you hire to relocate your pet, whoever they may be, to obtain the latest country’s rules and regulations as they are subject to change without notice. Your agent should be advising you on the best transportation method suited for your pet’s condition, approved travel crates, and work on a budget that you are comfortable with.

With the current Coronavirus outbreak in China and other countries, it might make the pet relocation more difficult, as many airlines have suspended their flights. Some countries have even put a ban on pets from China. With this in mind, it is exceedingly important to plan in advance.

How long does the process take?

The process can be as short as a month and a half for the US and Canada. Countries in the European Union and United Kingdom will take at least four months. Countries like Japan, Australia, and New Zealand will take more than six months to prepare.

What is the price list?

Prices vary greatly depending on the method of transportation, the destination country’s requirements, airline pricing and types of services that you might decide to take up with Globy. Our basic export package starts from RMB 3,000 and it can be up to RMB 40,000 and above for a cargo door-to-door service.

What are some of the problems commonly faced when trying to export pets from China and how do you prevent them from happening?

The most common problem faced is a sudden change in rules and regulations in destination countries or the airline of choice. It is challenging to prevent these events from happening as they are considered as incidentals, factors which we cannot control. However, with our experience and knowledge, Globy can always try to find an alternative route and solution for pet owners when these changes take place. We will always strive to reunite pets with their owners safely.

In view of the recent Coronavirus outbreak, many airlines have imposed an embargo on certain routes/timing and pet breeds. This has brought a lot of stress for pet owners and Globy as well. However, we are constantly updating ourselves with the latest information from airlines to see how we can assist pets leaving China. In some cases, we have even found a silver lining amid the uncertainty.

Are all destination regulations the same or how do they vary?

Every destination country’s requirements could be different. For example, most European Union countries’ requirements look similar, however, in terms of detailed operation it can vary to certain degrees. There will be incidental costs if pet owners don’t do their homework well.

Vaccination requirements by countries will vary as well. As mentioned above, the time to prepare for a trip can be as short as one month to more than six months.

How do potential clients contact you?

Globy has been in China for many years and most of our clients find us through word of mouth. We are also a member of Expat Connections, where foreigners can access quality products and services in Beijing.  We are also active on our WeChat moments, where we share our work and the successful reunion of our furkids.

Photos: Pixabay, memeguy.com, Courtesy of Harriet at Globy Pet Relocation

The last couple of weeks have seen horrific scenes play out on popular Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat. Photos and videos of abandoned or killed pets have been making the rounds, a result of owners worried that their furry friends might be the source of COVID-19. Some pet owners even resorted to tossing their cats and dogs from several stories up, while other compounds all over the South of China and as far north as Shanghai are rumored to have banned dog walking for the foreseeable future.

We can agree that this has been a result of a panic on the part of the public and a lack of awareness at the beginning of the crisis on what really causes and spreads COVID-19. Though very few, if any such cases have been linked to Beijing, pet owners are still in a bind. In the event that they wish to travel at this time, they would need to follow new guidelines set forth in order to board their precious pets. This means that in the event of an emergency, they would need to leave their pets behind, and in the absence of a close friend to pet-sit, many pet owners would be faced with the impossible decision of having to give their fur babies up.

But somewhere in the more leafy suburbs of Beijing, there is a little pooch paradise for just such an emergency. Aptly dubbed Diddy’s Hood Doggy Hotel, its a lovely escape for any pooch to frolic, swim and even stay for a while if need be. So just in case you are thinking of making a hasty exit from Beijing and your furry friend cannot come along, it might be an idea to check them into this five-star pooch hotel. We talked to Adrien, the owner of Diddy’s Hood Doggy Hotel, to find out how this all came about.

When a pooch comes to your facilities, what are some of the standard services that he or she can expect from you?

We offer boarding services, daycare, and training classes.

What if my puppy isn’t as friendly around other dogs, will he be turned away?

We have never turned down a dog for being reactive or fearful, however, we do request all new dogs/owners to come for a visit before approval. The selective process is for us to work in sustainable conditions.
Last, we are not breed selective but will turn down most dogs that haven’t been neutered.

What if I am planning on going on a long trip and can’t find a dog sitter, can I leave my pooch with you for long periods of time?

Sure. There is no time limit to how long your dogs can stay on with us. Many dogs have spent up to two months straight with us.

There are rumors spreading about the COVID-19 being spread by dogs leading to many people dumping their pets. How do you feel about this?

It is unfortunately very sad and a very far departure from our reality at Diddy’s hood. Martin Luther King once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
—Strength to Love, 1963

For a quarantined family with an active pet, how would you suggest that they keep their puppy friend stimulated and avoid them from becoming bored?

A lot of enriching activities can be done indoors to stimulate and fulfill instincts (nose-work, tricks training, massages, puzzles, treadmills, grooming, etc). There is always something to develop with a dog, they love to engage. Think playing, socializing, desensitizing, caring, the list is long!

What future plans do you have for the puppy hotel?

We enjoy our pace, the team thrives. The hours are long but it doesn’t feel like work. We want to keep that balance, keep our guests happy, and who knows, maybe open a couple more around the country.

How can we contact you?

Just add us on WeChat (blackbridgem). We would be more than happy to answer any and all questions you might have for us.

Photos: Courtesy of Adrien – Diddy’s Hood Wechat