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SoCalGal
Squeeker
Joined: June 24, 2008
Posts: 15
Status: Offline
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June 24, 2008 - 05:35 AM |
 
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| Post subject: Scary Pet Stories: How true are they? |
We are in the early stages of negotiating a job transfer to SH. Our dog is a VERY bouncy, exhuberant, sweet Weimaraner, and we won't even consider going to SH if we can't bring her. While doing my research on various expat websites, I've encountered several very scary mentions of cops taking away dogs b/c someone complained that they were "vicious" (when in fact they were just being bouncy), or even a few mentions of dog thieves stealing them for their fur and meat (which makes me physically ill to even think about). How true are these stories? Is it really safe to bring my dog over? Who do you trust when you need occasional boarding? Are certain areas safer for dogs than others? Any and all advice is GREATLY appreciated!!! |
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Magnolia
Board Biatch
Joined: June 01, 2004
Posts: 31098
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June 24, 2008 - 06:15 AM |
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please don't quote me... but there are safe boarding facilities (damn it... can't remember what the vet was called where i took my cat... british/australian/american run... someone will remember it though). dog thieves... i am sure they are around, but i've never really heard such things in the city; neighbors complaints... those can usually be paid off - strange. but do be sure to have all licensing and such... every once in a while, the authorities would go a bit wacky and penalize animals for owners lack of documentation.
ps... i adore "grey ghosts".... probably my most favorite dog! how high does your stand? |
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Jolynne
Reacher
Joined: Nov 16, 2006
Posts: 322
Status: Offline
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June 24, 2008 - 08:04 AM |
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Hi SoCalGal,
As an expat who has lived and worked in China for the last 11 years I can tell you that some of these things you have heard have SOME truth to them. I am also a dog lover who has two living with me....
Magnolia is right in her info to you about boarding. There are some great places including PAWS, BARK, and PET PARADISE (this one comes with a swimming pool)!! China is not a good place in general to be an animal. The Chinese are notorious for their cruel behaviour towards animals. Alot of them are not educated when it comes to this. They find nothing wrong with eating dogs/ cats and skinning them alive for their fur. IFAW and SPCA have been trying to do something for years to stop this craziness.
Stealing dogs DOES happen here (although it is rare) and it has happened to a few people we know. Usually they wait for a Chinese Ayi to be walking the
dog (usually a purebred) outside of the compound and they pretend they are the police and take the dog away (usually to sell or breed). There are ways to avoid this and it just takes some common sense.
First off make sure you move to a good area that is foreigner friendly or has alot of expat families living there.
Check out the security of the complex.
Get your dog registered with the local police station. I cannot stress this enough. If you live in the Inner Ring it is 2000rmb per year if you live outside then it is 1000rmb for the year. This is NOT optional, it is the law in Shanghai. Someone here will be able to help you (perhaps your husbands company can get you started or provide a translator for you)
Keep your dog leashed at all times while in and out of your compound. If your dog is prone to snapping or lunging at people then put a muzzle on him and keep him under control. You would be surprised a simple jump at a chinese person will send them running to the phone claiming your dog attacked them when that was not the case at all. Who are the police going to believe you or a chinese woman standing there screaming how your dog tried to attack her? My rule is simple I just keep my dogs away from the locals, I just tell them to not touch my dogs or I move away from them to avoid any problem.
If you are getting an ayi (housekeeper) make sure she is reputable and is registered with the police. I use an agency and have done so for years. If your ayi is going to be walking your dog, train her first!!! Also let her know under no circumstances is she to leave the compound with your dog.
If your dog has bad habits such as barking all day long this is not going to sit well with the neighbours at all. All it takes is one angry local to call and complain that your dog is disrupting them and you may have problems on your hands. There is a really good dog trainer in Shanghai who can help you to fix any behavioural problems if they exist.
You can live a happy life in Shanghai with your dog providing you just follow the rules and use common sense. Good luck and let us know how it turns out for you.... |
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Scojay
Raver
Joined: Oct 21, 2006
Posts: 383
Location: is inconsequential....
Status: Offline
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June 24, 2008 - 09:02 AM |
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Search the relocation forum as their is plenty of information there. Weimaraner are smart, 'high energy' dogs and if properly trained should not be a problem. |
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p1atl10
Board Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 6339
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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June 24, 2008 - 10:32 AM |
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And do check the threads for the quarantine restrictions!
There are some ways around them, but depending on country of origin it is very likely the ghost will spend some time in jail. |
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Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.....Dave Barry |
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SoCalGal
Squeeker
Joined: June 24, 2008
Posts: 15
Status: Offline
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June 24, 2008 - 11:54 AM |
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Thanks SO much for your replies! Although I am still uneasy about the whole process and what could potentially happen, knowledge is power and the information you have provided is a superb starting point for me. I will investigate the rest of the forums to see what other info I can garner (I must admit that this whole forum & "thread" thing is new to me! How pathetic is that?!?) One last thing: are there certain places to live that are more dog-friendly than others? We're a middle-aged couple whose kids are no longer a relocation consideration (thank God!), so we can pretty much stay where we want. |
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Jolynne
Reacher
Joined: Nov 16, 2006
Posts: 322
Status: Offline
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June 25, 2008 - 07:51 AM |
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Hi there,
May I recommend the Pudong area.....it is quieter, less people and the air quality is better then the Puxi side. Also if your company is paying you can also move out to an area that houses villas.
I will need some help from the other expats here as I don't live in a villa so I am unsure of where to suggest.
Cheers!!! |
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Jolynne
Reacher
Joined: Nov 16, 2006
Posts: 322
Status: Offline
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June 25, 2008 - 07:55 AM |
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Oh one more thing, I heard that if you come from Hong Kong or Guangdong your dog can skip the quarantine. This means that if you are flying from the States or wherever you need to stop off in one of the above mentioned places before coming to Shanghai. I have some friends that have done that so their dog would not have to go to quarantine........and check out this website as well www.scaashanghai.org There is a section on importing and exporting your pets. |
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SoCalGal
Squeeker
Joined: June 24, 2008
Posts: 15
Status: Offline
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June 25, 2008 - 12:17 PM |
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Jolynne: thanks for the info! But didn't I read on some other thread that Pudong is NOT the "cool" place to live?!?!  (Like I give a crap at my age anyway!!!) I had also heard about the HK/Guangdong thing, but someplace else said that it had been phased out. I'm not sure what source to trust. I think I'll wind up contacting a few of the pet shipping companies to see what their take is on these regulations. BTW: what kinds of pups do you have??? |
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Jolynne
Reacher
Joined: Nov 16, 2006
Posts: 322
Status: Offline
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June 26, 2008 - 08:53 AM |
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SoCalGal, LOL!!! you made me laugh with your Pudong remark....hee hee!! It is true that for the younger generation who like to party there is not much in the way of night life over here although it is getting better with the opening of Malones and that nice Irish Pub........however for someone like myself in her mid 30's Pudong is ideal for me. I prefer a quieter area and for me it is always about what is best for our dogs. I would rather my dogs have a bigger area to run and play then be cramped up on the other side. We lived on the Puxi side before and it was not easy for us to walk the dogs and the locals were not dog friendly at all.
As for the HK/Guangdong thing I am not sure if they have changed it the best thing to do is to get in touch with a pet location company and ask them. There is one that is listed on the SCAA website I gave you....
As for my dogs.......I have a Basset Hound named Jelly Belly that lives with my boss, a Pekingnese named Mr Lee who lives with me, and a mixed white dog named Wang Wang who was abandoned as a puppy. We found him outside when he was 6 weeks old, his owner didn't want him anymore and tossed him away. Anyways we couldn't leave him out there to die so we took him in and he has been with us ever since. My husband and I are always rescuing strays off of the streets and then finding them good expat homes. Many of the dogs we have rescued have gone on to live in America, Canada, and even Doha!!!! Please let us know whether you will come to Shanghai, there are lots of dog friendly events going on and you are more then welcome to join!!!! Cheers!!! |
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FuqMii
Talker
Joined: Apr 25, 2008
Posts: 86
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June 26, 2008 - 12:41 PM |
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Why don't you ask about the zoo in Harbin that feeds live chickens, goats and cows to caged tigers.
Not to mention the woman that puts the animals on a stick or box, scraping the animal against the cage so it makes noise and gets the tigers excited.
Gotta LOVE this place. |
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| You have the voice of an angel. I mean, it's like Fergie meets Jesus. |
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Jolynne
Reacher
Joined: Nov 16, 2006
Posts: 322
Status: Offline
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June 26, 2008 - 03:21 PM |
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We are all aware of how animal cruelty exists in China. It has been stated in previous posts. We can only work on one issue at a time, unfortunately lack of education plays a big part in this. If you are upset about the Harbin Zoo do what hundreds of us do and that is write letters to the relevant parties and let your thoughts and opinions be heard. |
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SoCalGal
Squeeker
Joined: June 24, 2008
Posts: 15
Status: Offline
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June 28, 2008 - 05:06 AM |
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Are many expats involved with volunteer organizations for animals? I know that this is something I really hope to do once we get over there. I still have nightmares about some of the things I saw when I visited China a few years back. Education is indeed a huge part of affecting change, regardless of the issue. |
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GibbySanDiego
Newbie
Joined: June 26, 2008
Posts: 3
Status: Offline
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June 28, 2008 - 06:34 AM |
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I am actually SoCalGal's husband...and I can testify to the bouncy-ness of our dog. Although I must admit that the best part of a long walk with our "never-tired" dog is the cold beer or three right afterwards! |
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Jolynne
Reacher
Joined: Nov 16, 2006
Posts: 322
Status: Offline
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June 28, 2008 - 07:52 AM |
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Hi SoCalGal,
There are some volunteer organizations and one of the ones that my husband and I work with is SCAA (Second Chance Animal Aid). We have monthly meetings, fundraisers, two adoption days a month and so on. It is a great organization and we desperately need more volunteers as two or our long standing members got relocated in China. Let us know when you are planning to arrive and once your are settled I can introduce you to the gang!!! Wonderful wonderful people!!!
Jules |
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