Beijing pet parents, be alert! International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) has asked us to help share an alert to help you keep your pups safe.

Hairy caterpillars are out in force and they pose a serious risk to your furry friends. These insects, often found on trees, bushes, or the ground beneath them, carry tiny, venomous spines that can cause intense pain, swelling, or allergic reactions if touched or stepped on by curious pets.

Recently, several dog owners have reported cases of their dogs with limping, excessive licking of paws, and signs of discomfort or anxiety after going out on walks. Upon veterinary examination, it was determined that these symptoms were likely caused by contact with caterpillars, which are more prevalent during this time of year.

Certain caterpillars, such as hairy or spiny varieties, can cause irritation, allergic reactions, or even mild toxicity if touched or stepped on. Dogs may accidentally come into contact with these caterpillars while exploring grassy or wooded areas, leading to discomfort and potential health issues.

ICVS Recommends:

• Avoid walking your dog in areas with known caterpillar infestations.
• Keep your dog on a leash and steer them away from grassy or leafy areas and under trees where caterpillars may be present.
• After walks, check your dog’s paws, muzzle, and coat for any signs of caterpillars or irritation.

If You Suspect Your Dog Has Stepped on a Caterpillar:

• Do not panic: Stay calm and avoid touching the affected area with your bare hands as some caterpillar hairs can cause irritation to humans as well.
• Rinse the paw gently: Use cool, running water to flush the affected paw. Avoid rubbing the area as this may embed the hairs deeper.
• Prevent licking: Use an E-collar (cone collar) to prevent your dog from licking or chewing the irritated paw, which could worsen the condition.
• Seek veterinary care immediately: Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Even if the symptoms seem mild, professional evaluation is crucial to prevent complications such as infections or allergic reactions.

Dogs are especially vulnerable during walks or park playdates. Symptoms of contact include:

• Limping or refusing to put weight on a paw

• Excessive licking or chewing at a specific spot

• Whining, agitation, or visible discomfort

If you suspect your pet has encountered a hairy caterpillar, seek veterinary care immediately. Do not attempt to remove spines yourself. Improper handling may worsen the reaction.

Please contact the ICVS with any questions or concerns:

Find it:
International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) 北京新天地国际动物医院
13-16 Rongke Ganlan Cheng Shangjie, Futong Xidajie, Wangjing, Chaoyang District (across the street from the Mercedes Benz Tower & behind Smile Angel Children’s Hospital)
朝阳区望京阜通西大街融科橄榄城商街13-16号
Tel: (010) 8456-1939, 8456-1940
Email: reception@ICVSASIA.com
Website: www.ICVSASIA.com
Dialog WeChat: ICVSASIA
Official WeChat: ICVSCHINA

Follow ICVS on WeChat for more pet related announcements.

Images: ICVS

In the bustling city of Beijing, it’s a hard job trying to find spots where your dog can spend all that energy and have some fun. Here are a list of places you can bring your furry friends to enjoy.

宠乐会宠物乐园 Chong Le Hui Pet Park

This is a park created specifically for pets. Some attractions include a pool, swings, a slide and plenty of space to run around. In the winter, the park also makes adjustments to offer snow-friendly attractions. This park also offers training for dogs.

Find it:
LongTang Road Opposite of LinShangCunPai
龙塘路林上村牌楼正对面
Tel: 136 2139 1970

人类友好宠物公司 Human Friendly

This is a human friendly pet place with a pool where your dog can splash around in. They offer many different spa treatments including volcanic mud treatments, bubble baths and even a cleansing plan for alpacas!

Find it:
Shimen North Road Baiziwan Dongli 301-4
石门东路百子湾东里301-4（大望辉煌KTV沿海赛洛城公园南侧）
Tel: 136 6106 8082

老八宠物乐园 Lao Ba Pet Park

Your dog is bound to get plenty enough exercise and sunshine in this outdoor playground that’s got pools and trampolines for them to enjoy in a completely safe and fenced-off area. For humans, there is a bar where people can sit watching their pet in the shade,

Find it:
YuAn Road Mojie Paxingdongwu Qinzi Park Ticket Office
裕安路魔界爬行动物亲子公园售票处
Tel: 186 1382 2410 or 138 1125 3185

撒欢儿宠物乐园 SaHuan Pet Park

This is another pet park with outdoor space great for pets to play in. There is also an indoor pool and pet spas are also offered for the pooches that require a bit more pampering.

Find it:
BaiJiaTuan Village Nanshan Reservoir
白家疃村南山水库
Tel: 185 1888 7281

This is another great place for dogs with a pool provided. Other services include training and spas.

Find it:
YiZhuangZhen DongLiang Road Number 6 Yihuayuan Yuanqu Number 10
亦庄镇东渠路6号亦花园园区10号
Tel: 162 2771 3777 or 187 0452 1532

Remember to vaccinate and register your dogs. Click here to find out how to register your dog.

Images: Unsplash, Dianping, Pexels

Beijing is not what people would call a pet-friendly city – the traffic, the narrow or non-existent sidewalks that make it pretty difficult for dogs to run freely and explore. Registering a dog is mandatory, but not all dogs can be registered.

Depending on which part of the city you live in, there are different restrictions on the size and number of dogs you can keep. So you see, having a pet in this huge city is tricky, to say the least. But despite all these limitations, it is becoming increasingly common among Beijing residents.

If your family brought, bought or adopted a pet in the city, you know the very special place it holds in the heart of your child. Be it a dog, a cat or a hamster, they are our kids’ companions, best friends, family members. Unfortunately, for every kid that has a pet there comes a time when they must face the reality of grief when their pet dies. It can be very upsetting for anyone, let alone a child who’s never gone through anything similar. The loss of a pet is often the first time a child will experience grief and loss so even though we as parents want to protect our kids from all the bad things, it is very important to help our child cope with the new emotions. Unlike adults, kids don’t know what to expect from grief and it’s crucial not to downplay the significance of their emotions when dealing with it.

Children of different ages experience grief and comprehend death differently, thus your approach when dealing with the loss of a pet should depend on the stage your child is at:

Babies, toddlers and preschoolers are very sensitive and they are highly influenced by other people’s emotions. They can sense when their parents or carers are stressed. Children at this stage do not understand the permanency of death and that’s why it’s very important to use simple language when explaining what happened to their pet.

School aged kids may often feel very distressed and scared when their pet dies because at this stage they already understand that death is permanent and irreversible. Their imagination is in full bloom so they may also believe that they’ve done something that caused it.

As for adolescents, losing a pet can be a traumatic experience. At this age children usually face difficulties and changes at school and relationships, so they greatly rely on their pets for stress relief.

Be straightforward
Whatever age your child is at, try not to use big words that they won’t understand. Avoid euphemisms. Even though it’s easier telling them that their pet went to a pet farm to make friends with other doggies, or help someone in need, altering the truth can backfire and leave your child wondering why his best friend chose another person over him/her. This can make him/her even more confused. But more importantly, kids are intuitive and can feel when something is off. So as much as we don’t want to use the big D word, it is important for them to hear the truth.

You can, of course, decide how much of the truth you are comfortable sharing (you don’t need to include detailed descriptions!), but explaining that their beloved pet will not come back is an important learning moment for our kids that will help them deal with their emotions.

Explain what death means
I know, this sounds harsh…I mean, how do you explain death to a five year old? You don’t even fully understand it…or don’t want to. But talking about it to your child is an important step in their eventual understanding of death. As much as we want to avoid the topic, death is a significant part of life and our children will have to deal with it throughout their lives. Explaining that all living things- trees, flowers, ants, bugs and even pets – die might be a good start. Choose your approach and what you’re comfortable with and start talking. Kids may find it comforting to know that when their pet dies it doesn’t feel any pain anymore, it won’t be hungry or cold or scared.

Talk about their feelings
This is an equally important part of the healing process. Let your child feel all the feelings and let him/her know that it’s okay to feel them. The impact that losing a pet has on a child can be very different in intensity. For some kids it may be small and not last for long. For others, the impact may be huge and last for weeks, even months.

That’s why it’s important to help kids label their feelings and tell them that whether it’s anger, confusion, sadness, despair or a combination of those, they are allowed to feel them and that that they will eventually pass. This is especially important for younger kids who experience these emotions for the first time so be sure to tell them things like “You are feeling sad. It’s okay to cry when we’re sad”, to hep them better understand their emotions.

Remember the happy times
Losing a family pet is never easy and it may seem unimaginable continuing your daily routine without your dog’s happy bark, but the best way to mourn the loss is to celebrate the great life you shared. After explaining the permanency of death to your kids, it is important to make them understand that life goes on and that you should be grateful for the great friend you had.

No better way to celebrate your furry friend’s life but by remembering and sharing all the funny and happy moments. Encourage your children to do activities that they enjoy and that will make them feel better. You could organize a ceremony where your kids could say goodbye to their pet, have friends over for a special lunch. Think of it as a memorial service. You could all share a happy memory, have a family photo with your dog displayed so everyone can see it. Making a scrapbook is also a nice way to acknowledge the important role the pet has had in your child’s life. You could include photos at different stages of your pet’s life, let younger kids draw a picture of their pet and older kids could write down some simple facts about it. Whatever your family chooses to do, it will make things a tiny bit easier.

Images: Pexels

Corgis are absolutely adorable. There’s zero argument there. Everything about them, from their short stubby legs to their big chonky butts, just makes you want to squish them with cuddles all day long.

But how much would you pay to pet one?

There are plenty of pet cafes in Beijing, but Jingkids has always been a bit hesitant to write about them since not all of them look like they care about their animals’ well being.  But Corgivengers in Solana, no doubt owned by a Marvel superfan, seems like it’s different.

First of all, the place has a huge space and isn’t located in a 20 square foot shop in the basement of a Soho building. These pups are clean, happy, and throughout the day (every day) you can see staff members taking them out for group walks around Solana, where they never fail to draw crowds of admirers.

Corgivengers has all sorts of corgi-themed swag, from mugs to corgi butt pillows, to plushy toys made to look like the dogs in the cafe.

Tickets aren’t cheap, though, and they tend to go up during the holidays. On a regular day they charge between RMB 100 and RMB 200 to pet some pups.

Prices:
RMB 128 per person, per hour (includes two tickets you can use to exchange for coffee, cakes, or doggie treats)
RMB 158 per person for unlimited petting time (includes two tickets you can use to exchange for coffee, cakes, or doggie treats)
RMB 198 per person for unlimited petting time with unlimited entries on that day, meaning you can leave and grab a snack or go to the bathroom and then come back for more corgi petting (includes two tickets you can use to exchange for coffee, cakes, or doggie treats)

Kids under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, and staff don’t recommend parents bring children under two years of age.

Personally, I’ve only admired the corgis’ fluffiness from the outside. Somehow the idea of paying to pet corgis when my neighbor also has a corgi that lets me pet him for free doesn’t sit quite right with me. But I totally get the appeal! Puppies make us happy, and spending time petting adorable dogs can be super therapeutic.

Find it:

Corgivengers
1/F A107 Solana Mall
蓝色港湾1层A07
Tel: 18611096918

Images: Mina Yan, dinaping, pexels

Hui’s Sanctuary and the rescue pups who call it home have had a ruff year (pun intended!). As many of you remember, earlier this summer the original shelter was demolished and a call to find homes for 180 animals was enthusiastically answered by the community. The dogs, who mostly couldn’t find homes because of their size, seemed to be in luck when a second location was found, and the shelter invested a great deal of money into making it a puppy paradise with large clean kennels and lots of space to run around in. But paradise is close to being lost. A series of noise complaints has forced the animals out of the shelter until soundproofing can be installed. So once again these animals need your help!

There are currently approximately 40 animals, including a litter of beautiful husky pups, in need of good homes, and the shelter needs to raise funds for soundproofing so they can get the animals back to safety and warmth before the worst of winter hits.

Here are just a few of the sweet dogs looking for their new best friend:

Hu Niu is a friendly, cute, docile, and adorable girl-husky. She loves people, playing, and treats.

Pang Hu is an 8-month-old boy who is very, very energetic! Naughty like a young puppy should be, but also very friendly, he loves playing and running around.

Hu Xiaonian is an elderly bulldog. She is just adorable, and loves belly rubs, chewing on ropes and toys, and laying on her back.

Wu Qi is a very smart boy who’s young and energetic. Although he is big, he’s gentle and well trained.

Huhu (Tiger) is a goofy, friendly dog. He loves and needs to run a lot to exercise his legs.

If you are interested and able to adopt, please add Polly at the QR Code below for more information.

If you can’t adopt but still want to help, please consider a donation to assist with the sanctuary’s soundproofing renovations.

Images: Hui’s Sanctuary

KEEP READING: A Home For Christmas for Pups

Beijing winters are brutal even when you have a warm place to snuggle up with someone you care about. Now imagine being alone and left to fend for yourself in the cold. That is exactly what happened to approximately 20 recently discovered rescue dogs in Beijing. Many have severely frostbitten eyes and/or noses from living in the sub-zero temperatures and will face death if good homes aren’t found for them.

And the puppies won’t be the only ones benefiting. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pet owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol, an increased immune response, and report less loneliness and depression.

If you can help any of these animals find a warm new home for Christmas, please contact Meghan by scanning the QR code below.

KEEP READING: Bringing Up Baby Far From Home

Images: Canva

Calling all doggie lovers! There are 180 fur babies who need your help!

The Hui Lingyang 慧领养 animal shelter is being demolished by Jun 10 and all the dogs are in urgent need of temporary homes until a new shelter can be found. It should take around one to two months to find a new shelter for house them, so in the meantime, they’re looking for human friends to open both their doors and their hearts to them.

Add Terri on WeChat at terri0608 for more details and provide the following information:

• Your preferred dog
• Experience with animals
• Living conditions

Then, Hui Lingyang will set you up with a dog that’s the perfect match, as well as advice and support through your fostering.

Scan the QR code to meet your new furry best friend!

KEEP READING: Roundabout’s Book Store is Now Online!

Photo: Pexels

One of the things that make living in Beijing so unique is the sense of community amongst expats. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, here, we’re all foreigners and we’re all navigating our way through the ins and outs of the city together. It’s that sense of community that makes life in Beijing truly unique.

Recently one expat mom has taken on the challenge of raising money to help a fellow mom send her beloved pup Mila to the UK.

Meet Mila

Mila is a mixed-breed rescue dog who was just two months old when she was found abandoned on the streets of Beijing. It took time for Mila to feel comfortable with her new family. “When we took her in, she was terrified of people and would hide under my arm. Any food given to her was inhaled because she wasn’t sure when she would get her next meal. Now she’s grown into a calm and confident dog.”, says dog mom Nina Sharma. “While living in China, we were able to give her a home. Now that we have left Beijing, we don’t want her to end up at the dog shelter or homeless again. We are trying to fundraise for her export cost so she can move to the UK and stay with us permanently.”

To help Mila get to her fur-ever home, fellow Beijing mom Camila Kongshavn is using her culinary skills to help raise money.

Recently Kongshavn’s Instagram blew up with photos of her latest cake creations. Each is hand made with love, and each shows the thought and dedication this Beijing Wonderwoman puts into her work.

“I would like your help to bake for Mila, an attempt at getting closer to the amount they need to get her back home.”, says Kongshavn. “I’m offering a little metal tray of my carrot cake make with organic Ceylon cinnamon from Sri Lanka, Madagascar whole Burbon vanilla beans, and my homemade toasted caramel nut crumble with cream cheese frosting made with ingredients from New Zealand and Australis for RMB 120 including shipping as long as you live within or very close to the fourth ring road.” All proceeds, minus ingredients and shipping costs, will go towards Mila’s trip home.

So many carrot cakes, so little time

Kongshavn will continue her fundraising bake sale until Jun 1.

To get in touch with Kongshavn for carrot cake (or just to donate to Mila get home) contact her by scanning the QR code below.

Each carrot cake is approximately 500 – 600g and will be delivered between Jun 6 – 7 depending on the quantity of order. And just to be clear, these are carrot cakes for humans. Sorry pups, no noms for you this time.

Currently, Mila’s also looking for a flight volunteer, someone who’s willing to take the little pup abroad when they travel. COVID-19 has made international travel difficult for people and finding someone to be flight volunteers has become an even bigger challenge than before. If anyone is traveling from Beijing to Paris or Amsterdam and is willing to help get Mila to her fur-ever home, contact Sharma via WeChat (ID: Nina_3107).

Mila has had all her shots and proper documents and requires just three days prior notice to travel.

KEEP READING: The Way to the Forever Home: Becoming a Dog Flight Volunteer 

Photos: Camila Kongshavn

Want to donate a bit of your time to change somebody’s life this holiday season? There are plenty of big hearted animal rescuers in Beijing who’ve given these adorable fur-babies a loving foster home. But, it’s time for them to find their way to their furever home and sometimes that’s not in Beijing, or even in China.

While the regulations on bringing pets abroad varies drastically, we’re going to focus on bringing strays to their furever home in the US – the country with one of the least complicated regulations.

A flight volunteer is someone who’s volunteering their time to bring a dog abroad. The reason being, most airlines will not ship an animal unaccompanied. Someone needs to claim responsibility for the pup the entire duration of the trip.

To sign up to be a flight volunteer is easy. Not only are there plenty of posters circulating around WeChat Moments, there are chat groups specifically for people who want to help take a pup abroad.

But before you sign up, know the facts and details of what it means to be a flight volunteer. This can’t be a last minute decision. Aside from vaccination records, each animal that’s planning on leaving China needs to apply for an export certificate. When approved, the certificate will only be valid for a brief window of 7-10 days. Which means, to be a responsible flight volunteer you’d need to plan your trip in advance.

Prior to your date of departure, you would have been in contact with your Beijing based rescuers and know exactly which pup you’ll be traveling with, which airline you’re flying with and the airline’s regulation, as well as the cost. The cost for traveling with the pup will be covered either by the Beijing rescuers or the US-based rescuers. On the day of your flight, you’ll be met with your travel buddy at the airport (or sooner if possible) and you’ll check the pup in as part of your luggage.

Once you’ve reached your destination, picked up the pup, and passed through customs, hand him or her off to the rescuer on the arrival end.

It’s worth noting that although flyers make it sound like all you need to do is meet someone when you leave Beijing who’ll hand you a pup to check in, it’s not as simple as that. The entire process will take time before you leave and extra time at the departure and arrival airports, as well as when you do arrive.

To be sure, we recommend getting in touch with Mary Peng of IVCS for more information before committing to becoming a flight volunteer. “We are not the rescue organization so we do not always know what the rescue orgs have done or not done. So we advise flight volunteers of essential things to consider, and to understand their rights and responsibilities. We advise all flight volunteers to “trust, but verify”… that the orgs know what they are doing and are acting professionally,” Peng tells beijingkids.

Is the trouble worth giving a pup a chance at a happy new life in the US? Absolutely!

To get in touch with Mary Peng, contact her via WeChat: BrassCupcake.

Photos: unsplash