Owning a dog can be a fulfilling experience. But it comes laden with responsibility. Here in Beijing, part of that responsibility is ensuring that your dog is annually registered. This year, due to COVID-19 which saw many foreign Beijing residents stuck abroad and unable to return, the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau extended the registration period to December 31, 2020. This date is important as once it passes, dog owners will not be allowed to register their dogs or renew dog registrations until May 1, 2021. Inspections of licenses by the police shall start at the end of November with police requiring a valid dog license.

What You Will Need For Your Dog’s Registration

• Your dog – If you live within the 5th ring road, then you may have to present your dog during registration. This is different depending on your local Public Security Bureau or Pai Chu Suo. Confirm in advance whether you need to bring your dog along for the registration process.
• Photos – You will also need two one-inch front-facing headshots i.e passport size photos that show your dog’s image from the neck up. It must also have a white background.
• Your original identification documents – These include your passport, your foreign household registration document obtained at the PSB and used to extend your visa in China.
• Since dogs are registered to a household address and not to the owner’s passport, you will also need to bring along your lease agreement for a rented property or a property deed if you own your own home.
• You will also need to present permission from your neighborhood watch committee or Ju Wei Hui, or the management agent. This depends on the requirements of the community supervisory committee within your district.
• Money (Cash) – If you are doing an initial registration then you will need a fee of RMB 1,000 and a fee of RMB 500 for your annual registration renewals. This is the fee in the eight major districts within the city and might be lower in the areas outside these districts like Shunyi, Pinggu, Changping, Tongzhou, Huairoumu, and Miyun.

There is also a special discount to be had for dog registrations if you can provide proof that your dog has been spayed or neutered. The discount can be as much as 50% for the initial registration should the proof provided be from a legally registered and licensed animal hospital in Beijing. You are also eligible for a 40% annual discount on your annual renewal fee under the same circumstances. But please note that this discount is only given once. Take advantage of this grace period to have your dog registered before the end of the year and save yourself from stress and worry. 

Information courtesy of ICVS Beijing 

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Photos: Unsplash 

Over the years, beijingkids has provided Beijing’s pet lovers with all the information a pet owner could possibly need for a happy, stress-free life, from featuring some of Beijing’s cutest pups up for adoption to giving vital, timely information on pet health and what it takes to import and export animals from China. With the change of seasons, we have once again turned to one of the many expert voices we have come to rely on for all things pet health in Beijing, ICVS, for a refresher course on what we all need to do to ensure our furry and scaly friends enjoy a healthy, happy, and comfortable winter.

Just like us, our pets need to visit the doctor often for maintenance checks

ICVS: Pets with arthritis, skin problems, and other medical issues may begin to feel discomfort as the weather turns cold. A comprehensive examination and basic diagnostic testing can help ensure your pet is in good health to face the winter or before they are boarded or left in the care of friends and family should you be traveling. As the COVID-19 pandemic continued in early 2020, many flights were canceled and some countries closed their borders, preventing pet owners from returning as planned. Knowing your pets are healthy and in good condition can give tremendous peace of mind this season.

While at the vet, don’t forget to dot the I’s and gas the fleas!

ICVS: Fleas, ticks, and mosquitos do not completely disappear during winter. These parasites can take shelter and hide in our homes when temperatures drop and they can feed off warm hosts including, dogs, cats, and humans.

To paraphrase destiny’s child, “can you get my pills?”

ICVS: Whether your pet needs insulin, heart medications, nutritional supplements, or prescription pet food, having a good supply on hand will help you make it through the winter season. China relies on a global supply chain for many imported drugs and prescription foods. Should air cargo-flights be reduced or canceled, it could cause stock shortages of the medications and prescription diets our pets rely on.

What’s the doggy version of hot cocoa and marshmallows?

ICVS: Tolerance for changes in temperature is often age-related. If you have a senior pet who is seven years or older, he or she should be protected against very cold weather. The bodies of our pets cannot adjust as well to changes in the environment and if they are out too long in temperatures colder than their own body temperature (e.g., 39° Celsius), their own body’s internal “thermostat” may not be capable of keeping them sufficiently warm. To provide some protection for your pets, jackets, coats, raincoats, and all manner of clothing are now available. This would be especially helpful for shorthaired dog breeds and hairless cats. Now is a great time to get your pet accustomed to wearing a jacket or sweater so that when the very cold weather arrives, they are already used to wearing these items and you will have an easier time getting pets dressed before heading outdoors.

Puppies are similar to older aged dogs in that they are also less able to control their body temperature in cold weather. They should be well protected against the weather when taken outdoors, and attention should be given to their tolerance level (e.g., shivering, lack of activity, etc.). Puppies should be brought indoors immediately if they cannot handle the outdoor temperatures.

Nutritional for your pet in cold weather is also very important. A dog or cat that is outdoors in very cold weather for longer periods of time will require more calories to keep warm, and additional protein in their diet would be recommended.

Spa days are fundamental (but you don’t need to do them that often)

ICVS: During the dry, cold winters in North China, it may be better to reduce the frequency of bathing your dog or cat to no more than once every four to six weeks. Frequent bathing may exacerbate dry skin and cause skin irritations. If needed, use a warm, damp cloth to wipe down the hair coats of your dog and cat in between baths. Please make sure pets are completely dry before they go outdoors.

Winter can still be fun for families and pets. Dogs can and do spend a lot of time outdoors in cold weather, especially breeds that live in the northern hemisphere. Certain breeds such as the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute will naturally develop a very thick hair coat for the winter and this acts as natural insulation allowing them to enjoy more time outdoors.

Information courtesy of International Center of Veterinary Services, Mary Peng, and veterinarians at ICVS. 

Address: No. 13-16 Rong Ke Gan Lan Cheng Shang Jie, Futong Xidajie, Wangjing, Chaoyang District
Ph:  8456-1939, 8456-1940
Email: reception@ICVSASIA.com
Website: www.ICVSASIA.com
Official WeChat: ICVSCHINA

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Photos: Pexels, courtesy of ICVS