Adopt best policy and be wary of breeders

What's the best way to go about getting a pet in Beijing?

Adopting a pet in Beijing is very easy and is safer than buying one. The animals at rescue shelters are usually healthy and have good temperaments.

Breeding is a new industry in China and is largely unregulated. In the local market, pets for sale are bred for profit, meaning the animals are mated to reproduce litters quickly. This results in more puppies and kittens being born in poor health as their mothers give birth too frequently and cannot produce enough or nutritious milk. These puppies and kittens are also usually weaned too early, as the faster the animals are sold the more profit for the sellers. In addition, they may be inbred which can often result in lifelong health and behavioral issues, such as aggressive natures, which may not become apparent until the animal is older. Each purchase of an animal helps to support the pets-for-profit industry, so adoption is the best option.