Expats must plan ahead when adopting pets

Adopted pets are often put through the ordeal of abandonment a second time by expat owners who relocate, said rescuers of stray animals.

Han Xia, who runs the Beijing-based animal adoption center Woof and Meow Orphanage House, said many expatriates who adopt abandoned pets in China face a difficult situation when they have to leave the country.

"Many of them are not familiar with the complicated animal exit and entry procedures when they adopt the animals, or don't have time or money to complete the process," she said.