Pet foster care

It is important to choose a pet foster care agency if one plans to leave the pet alone for days. Your choice: a big foster care center or a community agency for pet foster care.

Generally speaking, big pet foster care centers are distributed around the outskirts of Beijing, remote from the urban area.

"Distance is not a problem. We'll provide a free collection and delivery service if the pet is fostered for over a month," said Li Mei, chief of a pet foster care center in Nanlangzhong Village, Gaoliying Township, Shunyi District, Beijing.

According to Li, suburban foster care centers can provide more space for pets' daily activities, which is important for pets if their owners are absent for a prolonged period. "Veterinarians, epidemic-prevention professionals, pet-grooming members and breeders are responsible for the pets' daily care."

After a health check, owners have to sign a foster care agreement with the center, in which both parties' rights and obligations are presented in detail. In order to get better care service, owners need to provide basic information about the pet and compromise with the center if necessary. The center also has to make all conditions clear to owners in advance.

It's quite normal for a pet to feel uneasy in a new environment; however, it takes a professional breeder only 10 to 20 minutes to put it at its ease. "The key is to build a good relationship with the pets first, and a good breeder can communicate well with pets."

For more detailed information, the following is a reference list of foster care centers:

Beijing Mingshi Pet Resort
http://www.msdog.com.cn/
Tel: 86-10-8020 1818/1919/2060/3988
24 hours hotline: 139 0136 1241

Beijing BOBOPET
http://www.bobopet.com.cn/
Tel: 010-8050 8687

Tian Run Kennel Club
http://tr.dog.chinapet.com/
Tel: 101-6939 9771/133 8125 8067

Beijing DOGGYHOME Pets Hotel & Training Center
http://www.doggyhome.com.cn/
Tel: 010-6126 7501/7416/138 0135 1167

Chongleyuan Pet Hotel
http://www.pethotel.com.cn/
Tel: 010-6542 4312, 137 0133 2422

Pet4s.cn – Aichongyoujia
http://www.pet4s.cn/
Tel: 010-6949 5399/7556/132 4189 2241

As for community agencies for pet foster care, those pet hospitals also play an important role. Covering a limited area in the community, they can normally only accommodate a small number of pets, but they offer convenience for those who choose short-term foster care there. Pets are more familiar with the environment, but their activities tend to be more restricted. You can request further information around your community.

Your options:

? Get a health certificate
? Traveling with your pet by train
? To travel with your pet by plane
? Travel by car

(China.org.cn by Wu Jin, Wang Wei, Ma Yujia & Fan Junmei, January 22, 2009)