Internet access in China

Actually, I am not in Shanghai, I am in Shenzhen, but that is ok. I think I can give you some insight.

You "can" bring your kitty to China and Shanghai specifically, BUT it will require a bunch of red tape you may not like. The link below offers some guidance:
http://www.scaashanghai.org/china_pet_import_procedure.shtml

Now on a personal note, I would say don't do it. Not only does it require additional money, a pet passport, full documentation and proof of vaccinations, and the like, but you must understand, cats are not considered a welcome pet here. In fact most cats are considered pests, on the scale of rats on cockroaches. 95% of the cats you see in China are feral, wild cats. Very dirty and unhealthy. I would NEVER EVER EVER let a pet cat outside here!!!! EVER! The wild cats would eat it or the management companies would poison it. Period.

Also, you may remember a little issue called SARS, which was determined to have been spread via the feral cat population. So not only were millions of sick kitties culled, they also received a very negative stigma. Dogs are a different story, they are easily the most common and popular pet in China, but I have never, in 7 years, even met a person with a pet cat here....

You can however buy all the most popular cat foods, toys and supplies, you just might have to hunt a little more for them.

That brings me to my final point. Whereas you may have (with some added hassle) the ability to bring kitty in, you may have a MUCH harder time getting it out again.

If you are only coming for a short term (1 year or less) and you don't want kitty to be a 100% house cat, never going outside, I would say leave kitty at home with someone who will love it. Much easier for you and better for kitty in my opinion.

Sorry for the mix-up... but thanks alot for the insight! You're probably right, it's best to leave the kitten at home. I'll leave her with my parents so I know she'll be in good hands.

Have you spent any time in Shanghai?

hey Robert,

Cats are still domestic pets here, but just not as popular as they are back home. Most Chinese kids want a bunny, turtle or puppy. lol

I left my 2 kittens at home b/c it would have cost them a fortune to bring over. I heard from a friend that you're looking at at least the cost of your ticket up to double. On top of that there's all the shots, passport, etc.

I'm not sure what your contract is like but you might find it hard to be home enough for the kitten, esp. if you plan on traveling (which you will).

Basically, if you want a kitten, buy one here. You can find them sold for as little as 30rmb, up. And you can find all the cat food, toys, etc here too.

So ya, if you're really missing a furry friend just buy one here. I wanted to, but I'm not here for much longer.

Hope that helps!

If you have any more questions about China send me an e-mail at:

shellyyy.vo@gmail.com

I know i was checking the same thing out. I haven't gone to China yet but I'm preparing to go in a year and being on my own in a big foreign city makes me very nervous. Now I have a problem that not many others have my pet is a snake which I'm most likely going to have to give up because ive been told there is no way he's going to come with me. sigh. so I checked up on the pet import and export laws and man their nasty. Its definitely better to buy or adopt there, one thing id suggest is if your only going for a year or so is try to foster a pet from the local pound, you should have your pick of pets. But I would like to bring up one of Robert's questions that seems to have been ignored. Do a lot of hotels/apartments have NO PET rules???

note re-checked on the fostering seems i got some of my facts wrong here is a site that covers fostering pets in shanghai.
http://www.scaashanghai.org/foster_an_animal.shtml

Sorry, you are right, I did forget the No Pet rules..... Wasn't ignored though, just overlooked.

Hotels.... Um, never heard of an actual rule, but I would HIGHLY suspect it is not allowed. Hotels would be MUCH more concerned about the interior and they often have carpets.

As for apartments, the norm is China for an apartment is 1 month rent up front and 2 months deposit (yes 2 months, not 1). That and the fact 99% of all rented apartments will NOT have carpet and are made of concrete, it shouldn't be a problem. I have never heard of a no pet rule here yet. And with them holding onto a sizeable amount of your hard earned cash, I doubt they would care.

I have also never heard of fostering pets in China, though I suppose anything is possible. I suspect this type of service is only available in Shanghai, due to the large and very old expat community. I have never even heard of such a thing in any other city.

Personally I couldn't do it however. I have a dog now, but I plan on living in China forever, so I don't have to worry about developing a relationship with a pet then rip my own heart out when I have to say goodbye. Before I was certain I was staying here for good I stuck to fish. Less heartbreak in the long run for you and the pet. Life in China is pretty damn interesting anyways, I think most folks could do a year without a pet and still have ample things to do. better than breaking a little kitty or puppies heart.