Quarantine rules change for cats and dogs

Cats and dogs brought to the Chinese mainland will no longer be separated from their owners and kept in quarantine if they meet certain standards, following a new nationwide policy which takes effect on Wednesday.

Shanghai Customs said the new policy, issued by the General Administration of Customs, means qualified pets will be free from quarantine, while those unqualified will be kept in quarantine for 30 days at designated quarantine sites.

Passengers with a dog or cat must produce valid documents and certificates issued by official animal quarantine authorities which can prove the pet's health.

Pets from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Guam, Jamaica, Iceland, Britain, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau can avoid quarantine if they have valid electronic chips and pass a health test given at the scene.

Pets from other areas should have valid electronic chips and their owners should provide rabies test reports issued by 62 laboratories trusted by the General Administration of Customs if owners want to avoid quarantine. The pets should also pass an on-the-spot health test.

Seeing eye dogs, listening ear dogs or rescue dogs with valid chips can also escape quarantine if owners produce certificates showing the dog's function and professional training and a health check.

Shanghai has quarantine facilities at Hongqiao International Airport, Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal and Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal.