Register your dog now - police are checking papers!

Here are the latest regulations for registering dogs in Beijing municipality as of June 2008, courtesy of Mary Peng at the International Center for Veterinary Services.

Official Dog registration and licensing period in Beijing:

All dogs in Beijing municipality must be registered. There are no exceptions. The law applies to dogs owned by diplomats as well as to service dogs. The registration period for all dogs in BJ municipality runs from May 1st to early-June each year. The dog license will be valid this year from May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009. If you registered your dog during any other month in 2007 or 2008, (e.g., September 2007 or January 2008, etc.), your registration will still expire on May 1st of 2008. Dog registration and licensing are administered by the Public Security Bureau (PSB). Please check with your local PSB if you have any specific questions concerning registration of dogs in your neighborhood. Each local PSB precinct will have the final say on registration of dogs within their neighborhoods.

Initial Registration of your Dog:
If you are registering your dog for the very first time, you DO NOT NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF RABIES VACCINATION to the PSB. Explain to the police that you are registering your dog FOR THE FIRST TIME. The PSB’s assumption is that newly adopted dogs or puppies have not yet been rabies vaccinated by the new owner. Once you pay for the registration and receive your license, you are eligible to go to an officially designated animal vaccination hospital for a FREE or significantly discounted rabies vaccination. The International Center for Veterinary Services is an officially designated animal vaccination hospital. Dogs registered in Chaoyang District are eligible for a FREE rabies vaccination with proof of valid license and the “fa piao” (official receipt) from the PSB. All registered dogs with valid licenses from any other districts are eligible for heavily discounted rabies and other vaccinations. This is part of the BJ government’s program to reward dog owners that have registered their dogs. The law requires all dogs in China to be rabies and distemper vaccinated every year.

Annual Renewal of Dog Registration Licenses:
If you have already registered your dog in the past, please ensure that you have renewed the registration for 2008/2009. All registered dogs must have their registrations renewed during the month of May each year. To renew the license, you will need to prove to your local PSB that your dog has been vaccinated for rabies at an officially designated animal vaccination hospital. The PSB will ask you for an official vaccination immunity certificate (vaccination red book) before renewing the license.
See a photo of the official vaccination immunity certificate (red book) at the ICVS web site: www.ICVSASIA.COM, or http://www.icvsasia.com/7/Legally%20Registered%20and%20Officially.html)

For step-by-step instructions on “How to register your dog in Beijing”, please download the FREE document from the ICVS web site: www.ICVSASIA.com