Having decided to settle in Shanghai, Renee Allen is keen to bring her five-year-old golden retriever, Benny, over from the United States.

But she continues to hesitate. Bringing a pet to the city from overseas is a complicated business.

For starters, Allen was told that if a pet failed a check at the airport customs gate, it could be euthanized.

She also learned from a company experienced in importing pets that a seven-day isolation period in a government-prescribed location, such as a pet hospital, is a must.

And when she studied local regulations on owning a dog in China on the Internet, she discovered that licensed dogs would still be caught if they don't follow certain rules. "The laws for dogs are too strict and complicated in Shanghai. I'm confused," Allen says.

Shanghai local Gee Gu, who has helped many pets enter and leave China, says people have to be careful when deciding whether to import pets.

"But the pets are taken good care of in the week-long isolation. The owner can even choose the brand of pet food," he says.

Dogs and cats are quite easy to bring in, says Gu. The owner just needs to provide two certificates from a vet and ensure the animal has had a rabies injection.

But other animals are forbidden. Gu once witnessed a girl arrive at the airport with a pet rabbit. As the law defines cats and dogs as the only pets allowed entry with a passenger, the rabbit had to be put down.

"Pets such as lizards or rabbits are defined as ordinary animals which are not easily brought into the country by private owners," Gu adds. "If the pet is a dog and likely to stay for a long period in the city, it needs a license."

Shanghai native Jim Ying owns a crossbred wolfhound. He made great efforts to settle the dog in his home after acquiring it from a company where it was previously used as a guard dog.

"It's really difficult because Shanghai does have restrictions on certain dog breeds and areas where they can live," says Ying who decided to raise the animal because the company broke up and the dog faced being euthanized.

Purebred dogs like wolfhounds, German shepherds and Dobermans - often used as guards dogs - are not allowed to live with families.

Ying says his dog was lucky as his first license did not state his breed as a wolfhound as he is a crossbreed and his new home was outside the inner-ring area (a permissible area).

However, the dog still worries Ying. "He's too big and loves barking and many neighbors are really scared of him. They complained to the realty management office and I had to keep explaining to people door-to-door. Otherwise the dog would have been 'jailed'."

Allen says Shanghai has too large a population in the downtown area and big dogs can be really fierce. "Also rabies is a big killer in China, and you must abide by the laws of the land that you choose to live in.

"You have to clearly investigate the laws and rules and you also should think about neighbors. You need to think a lot before bringing a dog to Shanghai." Pets referred to here are just cats and dogs.

Every pet should have a microchip under the skin.

Two certificates are necessary when entering the country: a health certificate provided by a vet and a vaccination certificate (especially for rabies).

By law, pets must spend seven days in isolation upon arrival in a prescribed location such as a pet hospital. After seven days, another 23-day isolation period at home is required.

If the pet is a dog, and likely to remain in China for quite a long time, the owner should go to a local police station to get a license. Unlicensed dogs in China can be impounded.

According to law, one family can only have one dog. Wolfhounds and Tibetan mastiffs are not allowed as private pets.

Usually, the police station requires the certificate of the property where the owner lives or a copy of the leasing contract, and an approval signed by four neighbors. The owner should also tell the realty management office about the dog.

Registration also requires pictures of the dog and the owner, a warrant of where the dog came from and a standard application form which is available at the police station. The owner must pay a 2,000-yuan (US$292) dog-managing fee every year if it lives inside the city's inner ring, and 1,000-yuan fee if inside the outer ring of the city.

The license will be issued in 15 working days if everything checks out. If not, police will inform the owner.

It is also recommended to inject a microchip which is easier.

The dog should get a rabies injection and a health examination every year.

It is impossible to send an unlicensed dog, that gets caught, back home.

Normally big dogs are forbidden in the downtown area. But golden or Labrador Retrievers can be an exception as they are often used as guide dogs for blind people.

Dogs are not allowed on public transport, in public or people-crowded areas such as parks or shopping malls.

Licensed dogs will still be "jailed" if they bite other dogs or harm humans. Dogs will also be detained if neighbors complain so it is important to persuade neighbors to accept your dog.

(Shanghai Daily October 31, 2008)