Resue a Dog from Taiwan

[Taiwandog]

I have lived in Taipei, Taiwan before and will be moving back there in August, this year. The conditions that animals live in there are terrible and absolutley cruel.

I rescued a stray puppy who was wandering the busy street in front of my apartment and brought him home with me to Canada. He was once a housepet and had already been thrown out on the street (he had a collar tight on his neck, which he had outgrown), like the 2 million other stray animals in Taiwan.

When I go back, I want to help. If anybody is looking at adopting or rescuing a dog or cat, please consider a Taiwanese stray...these animals have pretty much zero hope of being saved over there. If anyone has any interest, or knows anybody who might, please contact me.

Tara

 

[Saje]

Wow. I met a girl who was from somewhere in Asia - sorry I don't remember which country right now. She moved to Canada with her five little dogs. That cost her thousands of dollars! How much did it cost for you to bring home your puppy? If you want to say...

Well, good for you. I don't know how many people will consider bringing a dog over from Taiwan but you may get donations. You should seriously think about education as a long-term answer to the problems over there. That would be tough. You have a good heart.

 

[Taiwandog]

Actually, it didn't cost me that much to bring my dog home! Thats one of the problems, I think...people do tend to think it will cost tons of money.

I had to buy a kennel, of course...but this is not an expense that I would relate directly to importing/exporting the dog though, because it can always be used later.

I flew on Malaysia Airlines from Taiwan to Saskatchewan, Canada. I paid about $5,000 NT, which equals to about $159 US to fly my dog. (I think this was for dogs under 20 Kg, including the crate, which weighs a couple of kg's).

Other than that, I had to pay for vaccinations and Rabies shot (which you would do anyway) and get a Microchip in Taiwan implanted (about $30 US).

Thats not too bad, is it?!?!

There was no quarantine in Canada, the airlines were great to my dog...the hardest part was getting everything set up properly here (Vacc's, Export Papers (free), etc...) and that would be my job!

 

[Saje]

That's not as bad as I thought. I think that some animals are quaratined in Canada if they don't have the right paperwork or if they look sick.

I wonder if flying a different airline makes it more expensive cuz this girl I know paid almost $1,000 a dog. hmmm

Oh well, let us know how it goes!

 

[EliNHunter]

So, is it as simple as that to bring a dog into the states? I have been offered so many opportunities to live abroad with my job, (I'm in the U.S.) but won't even entertain it because of their quarantine laws (i.e. Europe) -- last I heard it was still six months and I would never put my babies in that situation. Do you know any different?

 

[Taiwandog]

I know in the UK it was maybe 6 months? But, I have recently heard that they have lessened the quarantine length for there. I am not sure about the States, but as far as I can tell, as long as you have a valid Rabies certificate, then the dog will not be subject to quarantine. If a valid vaccination form is not provided, then they will be vaccinated and quarnatined. I know in Canada there is no quarantine at all (provided you have all of the documentation needed, like Rabies papers, etc.)

I also know that to travel into Taiwan there would be a 21 day quarantine period. I am not sure about other places, but the best way to find out is to contact Customs.

 

[bonster]

I can help with some info here (as best I understand it it does change from time to time) - as Bonnie was rescued in Spain and I want to be able to travel through Europe with her including back to England.

Once INSIDE Europe you can just pass over many borders, literally drive without stopping, but some (eg France to UK) you must have a PET PASSPORT to cross.

The way I got it was by Bonnie being microchipped, having a rabies jab, then a blood test one month later, then a six month wait (dog with you! just can't cross borders) then once certified OK (by vet then certified by a government office) your dog can travel freely but must get your dog certified "infestation" (tick etc) free just one day before crossing certain borders - such as into the UK, and you must keep the rabies jabs up to date (annual) with official stamps in the PASSPORT (no need for retesting so long as kept up-to-date). So basically after six months preparation your dog can travel to approved countries as you do.

I understand from web pages that this PET PASSPORT also works with the USA/Canada and other places. Be sure to be 100% though!

Some links

Found by searching
http://www.petsonthego.com/pressrm11_02.html
http://www.britainusa.com/sections/index.asp?i=111

The UK govt agency (see Pet Travel Scheme)
http://www.defra.gov.uk

And a document it links to....
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_094/l_09420040331en00070009.pdf

England has long been scared of rabies which has been found on mainlaind Europe and other countries but is now allowing you to avoid the 6 month quarantine through this scheme.

Hope this info is useful.

 

[EliNHunter]

Very good information... thank you!
Amy + Hunter

 

[CreatureTeacher]

I helped a client bring in a stray from Puerto Rico, where they estimate there is one stray dog for every four people on the island! There is a fund set up to help: www.saveasato.org . She visited Puerto Rico to pick up her dog. The best thing about Save-A-Sato is one couple started it by themselves, and it has since become an international rescue organization! Maybe you ought to think about doing something similar for the strays of Taiwan, Taiwandog!

 

[Taiwandog]

Thanks for all the positive feedback here! And there is some great info coming out of this, too!