Shanghai Dog Management Regulations

* One Dog per Household Limit             * Strict Banned Breed Legislation           * District by District Rules   
* Muzzles Required for Large Dogs       * Most Public Spaces Ban Dogs               * Need License for dog EXPORT
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AS OF JULY 2020, SHANGHAI CUSTOMS REQUIRES A VALID SHANGHAI DOG LICENSE TO ISSUE THE ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE FOR PET EXPORT.

OWNERS MUST PRESENT PSB ISSUED LICENSE, IMMUNIZATION CARD, AND THE VACCINATION BOOK TO THE SHENPU CLINIC AT THE 7 DAY PRE-FLIGHT HEALTH CHECK.

There are a lot of ways to describe the always dynamic and sometimes challenging place that is Shanghai.  "Dog-friendly" isn't one of them.

​Following local rules and regulations helps keep your pet safe and avoids unnecessary conflict with neighbors.
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Shanghai requires dogs to be licensed and imposes a limit of one dog per household as well as bans certain breeds as pets.  

The wisdom of certain local regulations aside, dog licencing is a welcome and needed approach to keeping pets and the community healthy. Licencing helps ensure dogs are vaccinated against rabies and provides a system that may help reunite a lost dog with their family through the registered microchip.

The dog licencing regulations are simple, the cost minimal (RMB500 a year downtown and RMB 250 in suburban areas), and a 50% discount is offered for spayed or neutered dogs. Chinese language skills are most useful, especially if applying in person at police station rather than using an APP.

For owners living in serviced apartment compounds, your management office may offer support.

Dog management regulations may be enforced harshly. SCAA prioritizes the licensing of our adopted dogs and may request adopters finalize adoption with SCAA at the Shenpu Pet Hospital, an approved clinic to begin the dog licence process as well as the official pet export clinic - so your dog's chip and vaccination are valid for export too (when maintained yearly).

SCAA dog Wang Wang photo: Brandon McGhee | SmartShanghai

​Dog License Process (varies SLIGHTLY by district)

​STEP 1: Visit a Shenpu clinic [NOTE: other veterinary clinics are also part of the dog license scheme, but SCAA recommends Shenpu for hassle-free export-ready pets].

Bring your dog, ID (passport), address (in Chinese), mobile #, and copy of spay/neuter certificate (if any). You may also be asked for housing documents.

NOTE: the person's ID used must match the ID on the house / apt lease in order to complete step #2.

Dog will be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies (approx. ¥200-¥300).  

The Shenpu will provide an official vaccination book, immunization card, take a photo of the dog and input all details into the dog management system that can later be used to identify dog and owner.

​Do not lose these documents as they will not be replaced. Make copies. 

STEP 2:  Apply for dog license issued by the Public Security Bureau:

(a) Attend in person [without your dog] in your district's designated police station for processing dog license applications.

Some districts (e.g. Xuhui) now offer limited weekend hours, while others may only offer weekday office hours service.

(b) Apply for dog license through online APP MyDog (麦道) within WeChat Official Account platform.

The APP offers an English language support hotline.

Supporting documents:

ID (passport), copy of lease, property ownership certificate, landlord's permission (may be required), dog spay/neuter certificate (if any), and Shenpu documents (immunization card and vaccination book).

Some districts may require neighbors' consent.

The dog license process can take anywhere from 2 - 4 weeks. License application and renewal may be done at any time throughout the year.

​However, as many dogs were licensed following a major publicity campaign years ago falling in April - May, some police stations may ask owners applying for or renewing a license close to this time period to wait. 
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ABOUT MIXED BREED DOGS

Following a tragic incident in 2019 of a banned breed dog, fraudulently licensed as a 'mixed breed', attacking a woman walking with her child, Shanghai authorities initiated a review of 'mixed breed' licenses.

Although there was talk of no longer issuing dog licenses under the 'Mixed Breed or Chinese Rural Dog' as a listed category, this has not been enforced uniformly.

Owners of mixed breed dogs should note that mixed breeds are not banned, and will continue to be covered under the dog license scheme. The idea behind updated policies proposed being that such dogs would instead be identified by its most dominant breed mix - provided this is not a banned breed!

​SCAA is aware of dog licenses still being issued or renewed in 2020 under the category of 'Chinese Rural Dog'. In any event, there is NO ISSUE with owning and licensing a (non-banned type) mixed breed of dog.

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BANNED BREEDS IN SHANGHAI

First and foremost, let us state unequivocally that Breed Specific Legislation has been proven ineffective and relies on unscientific bias against certain animals based on their looks, size, and behavior incidents caused by negligent human training.

Jurisdictions that long ago enacted such bans are reversing course or under pressure to do so. as the misinformation supporting them has been systematically discredited.

Shanghai bans the following breeds of dog, so they cannot be licensed AS PET. Notable exception for German Shepherd dogs who may be licensed under a special scheme as a guard dog and only by a registered company with qualifying suburban address.