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

Many expats wouldn’t dream of moving without knowing that their beloved family pet could go with them, but the logistics and paperwork involved in relocating an animal to or from Beijing – coupled with the potential language barrier – are enough to worry even the most efficient planner. Many hire a pet relocation company, but whether you choose to outsource the process or go it alone, rest assured that relocating with pets can be straightforward with research and preparation.

There are two sets of processes: one for when exiting China with pets and another for rehoming animals. The timeline below shows a summary of the things to do for both actions as early as a year before the departure date.

Pet Relocation Resources

International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) 北京新天地国际动物医院 has a pet import and export service center. The vet hospital also holds free monthly information sessions. Open 9am-6pm daily. (8456 1939/40/41, www.icvsasia.com) Rm 13-16 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

Doctors Beck and Stone Health Care Center 思威 （北京） 国际动物医院 is a chain of animal hospitals staffed with Western and Chinese vets and staff. Branches double as emergency centers with ambulances available. www.doctorsbeckandstone.com

Globy Pet Relocation helps relocate pets from anywhere in the world, including obtaining required papers, arranging flights, and delivering pets. Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm. (8762 5020, www.globypetrelo.com) 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

Beijing Guanshang Animal Hospital 北京观赏动物医院 is open daily 8.30am-10.30pm. Its 24hr emergency services are available after 5pm (including holidays). (6237 1359, Chinese only: 6204 9631/9742, www.chinapet.com.cn) 7 Beisanhuan Zhonglu, Xicheng. 西城区北三环中路7号

This article appeared in the beijingkids June 2019 Home & Relocation Guide issue.

By the start of fall, many families in Beijing, new or old alike, will have settled almost everything, from relocation or returning from their summer holidays to the preparations for the new school year. With all that out of the way, they can take a breather and can start considering adopting pets. Adding one of these furry fellows to the family is a big commitment, and there are major issues to take into consideration. Should this put you off? Not if you’re able to offer a forever loving home to these adorable rescued animals.

Please adopt, don’t shop!

Adopting a pet in Beijing is easy and if you’re considering it, check out our Pet of the Week series, courtesy of our content partners from the International Center for Veterinary Services (see more of their Adoptable Pets here). Alternatively, there are several WeChat groups that post announcements on pet rescues and funding for pet homes. Animals from these organizations, rescue volunteers, and owners are usually healthy with good temperaments.

Not ready to adopt? Please foster!

– Foster families are the critical factor in helping stray/rescued animals find their forever homes. Most rescued pets just need some time to live in a loving home to become socialized and to build trust with humans, increasing their chances of adoption.

– If keeping a pet permanently is not possible, then fostering for a few weeks or a few months or more can give you the loving companionship of a pet while helping him/her find a forever family.

Adopters, Beware…

– Breeding is a very new and largely unregulated industry in China. In the local market, pets for sale are bred for profit, meaning the animals are mated to produce many litters quickly. The puppies and kittens are usually weaned too early from their mothers and sold well before six weeks of age. The faster the animals are sold, the higher the turnover and more profit for the sellers.

– Inbreeding is a serious problem as breeders may have brought only a few breed-specific animals into the market, which were used to create multiple generations of pets for sale. Inbreeding may result in life-long health or behavioral issues that may not become apparent until the animal is older.

– A high percentage of purchased pets may have serious health issues or infectious diseases requiring extensive treatment and hospitalization (e.g., canine or feline distemper virus, parvovirus, coronavirus, feline infectious peritonitis, upper respiratory infection, gastrointestinal illness, skin infections, etc.).Once purchased, breeders will not refund the money even if the animal is sick or dies. A replacement animal may be offered for the deceased pet, which may also have health issues. Each purchase of an animal supports the pets-for-profit industry (like puppy and kitten mills), and reduces the chances of an existing animal finding an adoptive home.

There are officially designated animal rabies vaccination hospitals.

– Please ensure your pets are vaccinated at a legally registered and officially designated animal rabies vaccination hospitals in China.

– Only officially designated animal vaccination hospitals are permitted to procure legally registered and safe vaccines through the official government agency – the Agricultural Bureau, which imports legally registered, international rabies and distemper vaccines manufactured in Europe and North America.

– Only officially licensed and designated animal vaccination hospitals are allowed to purchase and administer legal animal vaccines in Beijing.

– Pet shops, grooming salons, boarding kennels, pet relocation agents, pet supplies retailers, animal sales markets, breeders, shelters and even many pet hospitals and clinics are not permitted to purchase safe and legally procured rabies and other vaccines. These facilities that do not have the official animal rabies vaccination hospital designation can only source vaccines from the black markets, which are unsafe and may be counterfeit, illegally smuggled, expired or improperly stored and ineffective. These create a risk for pets, their families, and the community.

– Please check your animal hospital to ensure it is an officially designated animal rabies vaccination hospital. Officially designated animal rabies vaccination hospitals must display a gold plaque awarded by the Agricultural Bureau featuring the hospital’s “Rabies Vaccination License Number”

– Note that vaccinations are required annually for pets in China. China does not recognize the 3-year vaccinations from US/Canada, EU, and other countries.

Register your dogs. It’s the law!

– All dogs must be registered by law and you may register one dog per household address. An unlicensed or unregistered dog is legally classified as a stray and may be taken away by the Public Security Bureau at any time.

– Large dogs may be registered outside the Fifth Ring Road. Check with your local Public Security Bureau precinct (police station) to confirm if large dogs are allowed (see more about the Beijing dog ownership regulations here).

Give pets only safe pet foods.

– Please use only legally registered, State Food & Drug Administration (SFDA)-approved pet foods in China. There are many illegally smuggled foods circulating in retail stores and through online vendors, and you should know that product recalls are not issued by manufacturers in countries where they do not officially sell their products.

It’s never too early to prepare for relocation.

– Whether you brought your pet to China or you adopted a pet locally, it is NEVER too early to learn the requirements to take your pet with you when the time comes to relocate. Some destination territories (like the EU, the UK, the UAE, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, among others) require preparation lead times of 4-8 months before pets may be imported from China. ICVS conducts free monthly information sessions about pet relocation.

Photo: skeeze via Pixabay; Cartier Cartier, Burak Kebapci, Kat Jayne, FOX via Pexels 

Introduction: Hi everyone, my name is XiaoBai.

Background: I was found by my rescuer when I was wondering outside her house. She took me in and fed me and has been taking good care of me since then.

Personality: I’m a former house cat, gentle, loving, and affectionate.

Ideal home: I would love a home with an individual, a couple, or a family with older children (e.g., 8 years and above).

Breed, Sex & Age: I’m a one-year old male cat with beautiful short white hair.

Medical notes: I’ve already been neutered and am fully vaccinated and have been dewormed at a local hospital. The doctor says I am very healthy and has treated me for both fleas and ticks.

Post-adoption care: The International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) has enrolled Xiao Bai into their Rescued/Stray/Rehomed Pet Adoption Benefits Program. ICVS will provide Xiao Bai’s new family with significant discounts (up to 50%) on his vaccinations and accompanying health examinations during his first year with his new adoption family.

Annual Vaccination Packages: ICVS has wonderful wellness and annual vaccination packages to keep Xiao Bai healthy and free of worms, fleas and ticks. All the vaccinations and deworming he needs every year are included and the packages are discounted by 40-50%! Please contact ICVS for more information.

Official Vaccination Certificate: With my next rabies vaccination, ICVS will issue my new family the official Beijing Animal Health and Immunity Certificate (e.g., vaccination red book) at no charge! I need the official vaccination red book to prove I have been legally and properly rabies vaccinated and to move to other cities or to leave China with my family.

Pet Import/Export Counselling: ICVS will provide my family with unlimited relocation counselling and accurate information to take me with them when it is time to move to another city or to another country.

Door-to-Door Pet Transport Service: ICVS can also help new families arrange door-to-door car transport for their appointments at the hospital.

ICVS Non-Profit Humane Animal Welfare Programs:
Please support and donate to the ICVS Non-Profit Humane Animal Welfare Programs here.

Donations may be made directly on the ICVS web site through Paypal:
www.ICVSASIA.com

Please also donate via ICVS WeChat:

Your donations support ICVS in helping pets like Oliver and the many stray/rescued/abandoned/rehomed and shelter animals in our community. The pets receive world-class medical care, treatments, good nutrition and socialization with love and compassion that allows them to become healthy adoptable pets!

Please contact the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) for more information about Kedi and the many adoptable pets waiting for homes:

Tel: (010) 8456-1939/1940

Email: reception@ICVSASIA.com

Website: www.ICVSASIA.com

photos: courtesy of ICVS

Many expats wouldn’t dream of moving without knowing that their beloved family pet could go with them, but the logistics and paperwork involved in relocating an animal to or from Beijing – coupled with the potential language barrier – are enough to worry even the most efficient planner. Whether you choose to outsource the process or go it alone, rest assured that relocating with pets can be straightforward with research and preparation. With help from the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS), we summarize the latest regulations and procedures.

**Managing Editor’s Note: Though some expats consider rehoming pets to be part of the process of moving, we believe pets are forever family and should move out of China instead of abandoned or rehomed.

This article originally appeared on p. 62-63 of beijingkids May Issue.
Download the digital copy here.

Artwork provided by Beijing New Talent Academy, Cui Yuan, Grade 8 (drawn in Grade 6), first published in JingKids April 2015

Outgoing tourists and families who take along their cuddly pets during the holidays can hang on to a bit of hope: a change in regulations can cut the mandatory isolation period for “low-risk” animals entering or returning to China.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine told China Daily that it is looking to revise quarantine regulations based on the recommendations by the World Organization for Animal Health to prevent the spread of rabies.

The government agency said one of the possible moves is to include a simple test for animals deemed as “low-risk” at their port of entry, which can shorten quarantine period to an hour after arrival from the current seven to 30 days. Animals within the “low-risk” category and what kind of test they will be subjected to are yet to be defined by the agency.

Zhang Ao from the quarantine inspection office at Beijing Capital International Airport told China Daily that pets entering the airport are usually owned by returning Chinese students, diplomats, or foreigners who are permanent residents in China. Ao added that during peak seasons and holidays, the office receives at least seven animals — mainly dogs or cats — a day and checks them for conditions like rabies and other infectious diseases. If found with serious conditions, the animals are usually sent back to the country of origin.

Meanwhile, other foreign residents planning to leave China with their pets are advised to prepare at least six months in advance, given that many countries and airlines have stringent restrictions on transporting animals. The International Center for Veterinary Services has come up with a list to prepare pets for relocation or rehoming.

(UPDATED) For many families, summer brings lots of changes, including departing China and preparing pets for the journey overseas. It’s always best to bring your pets with you when it’s time to leave. Rehoming pets isn’t easy, especially for adult and senior pets that find themselves competing with puppies and kittens for new homes. Regardless of how stressful you think the journey may be for your pet, it won’t be as stressful as making the adjustment to a new home or languishing indefinitely in a shelter, facing an uncertain future.

There are many resources available to help pet owners prepare for taking pets overseas and much of the relocation costs may be minimized with careful advance planning. Please prepare at least 6-months in advance to take pets into the continental USA, Canada, and European Union countries. Begin preparations least 8-12 months in advance for Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore, and other strict quarantine control countries and territories.

Keep in mind to begin the process of finding a new home for your pet as early as possible. Even starting a year in advance is not too soon to begin looking for new adoption homes if for any reason, you are not able to keep your pets. Waiting until the last few weeks or months before departure creates panic and desperation for many pet owners, with pets being abandoned in residential compounds, parks, roadsides, and boarding kennels. The informal private shelters that exist are already at full capacity year-round and are overwhelmed by owners trying to relinquish their pets during the summer departure season.

To help ensure your pet has the greatest chance of being adopted, follow these 7-steps to maximize adoption success:

1. Keep Your Pet Up-to-Date on Annual Vaccinations, Deworming, Flea, and Tick Preventives and Keep the Vaccination Records.
Pets are required to be rabies vaccinated annually in China and those that are already current on vaccinations, deworming and flea/tick preventives find homes much faster than animals that have not been maintained. A fully vaccinated and dewormed pet will also protect other existing pets in the household and allow them to be adopted into their new homes sooner.

2. Spay and Neuter Your Pet(s)
A spayed/neutered pet is much more attractive to adoption families as the pet will not go into heat and the new family does not need to consider the additional costs of surgery into their decision. Neutered male dogs are less likely to behave aggressively. Neutered male cats are less likely to urine mark or “spray” their territories. Spayed female dogs no longer have bloody discharge and spayed female cats will no longer scream and howl until they find a mate. The risk of prostate cancer in males and mammary or uterine cancer in females is greatly reduced or eliminated when pets are spayed/neutered. Pets live longer, healthier and happier lives and become more attentive and loving companions.

3. Microchip Your Pet
Microchipping is becoming a common requirement for pets globally and is an effective method to identify and establish legal ownership of pets. All pets that will eventually leave China must be microchipped for export. The European Union, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many other countries also require microchipping for pet import. An already microchipped pet is an added benefit for the new owners and makes pets more attractive for adoption.

4. Prepare Great Photos of Your Pet(s)
Appealing photos of your pet will attract adoption families. Just as we want to look our best for job interviews and first dates, helping our pets look their best for adoption photos is critical. Make sure your pets are clean, brushed, and groomed and photographed in comfortable and homey environments or outdoors. A great photo can make all the difference by encouraging a closer look and increasing responses to your adoption ads.

5. Write a Compelling Adoption Bio for Your Pet
As gorgeous and cute as your pet may look in the photos, adoption families will want to know more about your pet’s personality and history. Keep the ad brief and focus on the positives about your pet. Describe cute, quirky behaviors,  and habits that are unique to your pet. Be honest about any negative traits and medical issues and share how they can be managed and how your pet can provide many more years of loving companionship. Describe the ideal adoption family that would best match your pet’s personality and encourage people to call and email you for more information. The more forthcoming and honest you are, the greater the chances you will have of finding a new permanent home for your pet.

6. Spread the Word
Leverage technology and post your adoption ads on your WeChat, Weibo, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media to spread the word. Tap into community organizations that publish newsletters and social networks with online communities and groups. Send your adoption ad to ICVS and we’ll post on our web site, blogs, Wechat, Weibo, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media to reach thousands of animal lovers and potential adoption families.

7. Stay in Contact With the New Adoption Family
No one knows your pet better than you. Being available by phone, email and WeChat to help answer any questions or concerns by your pet’s new family will help make the transition smoother and the adoption permanent.

Please contact the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) for more information about taking pets overseas, adopting pets and for assistance with placing your pet for adoption.

Featured photo from irishitalianblessings.com

For more information about taking pets overseas, adopting pets and for assistance with placing your pet for adoption, contact the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) 8456 1939 or 8456 1940 or at ICVS_CHINA@yahoo.com. ICVS Official WeChat: ICVSCHINA