Pups in the PRC may have a rough time of it this summer, at least those in Beijing who are used to a diet of Royal Canin dog food. The International Center for Veterinary Services announced today that because of restrictions on non-Beijing registered vehicles entering the city as of July 1, the specialty dog food brand would not make it into the city until after the Olympics. Whether humans have the same mark-ups, hassle......

"Doggie cops snatched a bunch of unlicensed dogs from owners in my courtyard in a sting op this AM. Self-important JERKS. " [Source]......

Amelia of ChinaTravel.net draws our attention to this Beijing Olympic keychain souvenir with a live fish in it:I found this picture up at the Beijing Olympics Fan blog and was shocked out of my wits!!! Who would ever buy this??? In 4 hours the fish would be dead, how do you explain that to your 6 year old daughter? I saw some guys selling these on the subway recently, they were claiming that the water......

Here is a warning to all. Don't buy those cute, little baby bunnies off the street or at the flower markets around the city. Shanghaiist is feeling a little broken hearted this morning when we found our little bunny that we had received as an Easter Sunday present dead. Little Massimo only lasted a week. Photo from scruss.com A number of people have told us that the same thing has happened to them. They get......

Shanghaiist reader Jeff sent us this email sharing with us the horrendous experience he and his wife were put through recently when they tried to give their beloved rabbit a proper cremation:Just wanted to share an experience: My wife's rabbit died a few days ago. Even if he used to pee and poop everywhere and the odor can be quite strong, she still loved him deeply. Unfortunately, he got an eye disease and never recovered.......

Have you ever walked down Nanjing Dong Lu and wondered, "What idiots buy those plastic wind-up tops that shoot out laser lights and play annoying music?" Well, now you have your answer: Us. We have our reasons: We're suckers for toys.We wanted to see what our dogs thought of it.They are cheap (10-15 RMB).The song it plays is "Axel F."Yes, Axel F! Anyway, the embedded video shows you what the top looks and sounds like......

The Pet Paradise Asia 2007 expo opened in pavilion W5 of the New International Expo Center to commercial representatives early on Thursday, and to the public on Saturday for a second two-day run. When Shanghaiist dropped by yesterday afternoon, the place was hopping — booths retailing pet supplies and giving away samples, a dog show, and plenty of pet fans eager to pet anything furry and barking/meowing. Most of the exhibitors were targeting dog......

Even as the majority of the domestic and international press crowned Inner Mongolia native and Shanghai resident Duo Zirong for her courage to stop the truck and "save" 800 cats from the food trade on July 7, dissenting voices have been raised with regards to the character of this women. And some have gone so far as to call her — as we have heard recently from those involved in various animal rescue organizations —......

China's west swelters under record high temperatures. Westernmost China's Xinjiang region was under a blistering heatwave Sunday, with the mercury hitting as high as 44.8 degrees Celsius (112.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in Turpan city, a local official said. Analysts warn China vulnerable to a Japan-style debt meltdown. Today, China could be ripe for a crisis of its own that might resemble the collapse of Japan's "Bubble Economy" in the early 1990's and have enormous global impact,......

Southeast Asia - Southeast Asian nations are battling a surge in dengue cases, amid signs that climate change could make 2007 the worst year on record for a disease that often gets less attention than some higher-profile health risks. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Malaysia's top civil court has rejected the appeal of Muslim convert Lina Joy to be recognized as a Christian in a landmark case that has been seen as a litmus test......

The term 'food poisoning' is taken to the next level in China, with reports that not only have ingredients from China been killing pets, but have now killed up to 365 humans too. The New York Times reports that a safe additive used in cough syrup was substituted with diethylene glycol (an industrial solvent and a prime ingredient in anti-freeze) by Chinese companies. When exported from China, the syrup was labelled as 99.5 percent pure......

New Internet Publication Regulation to be Drafted "Drafting a new licensing rule for online magazines is on the agenda of China’s administration of press and publication, which will require online magazines to obtain license from the government before publishing, China Business News reported." Shanghai Wifi Cafes "To counter the trend, here's our list of Shanghai cafes that still keep the free wifi faith." 5th biggest taxi company quits city's call center "Shanghai's efforts to......

Shanghaiist lost count long ago of the number times we've thrown very unladylike expletive-laced fits in the middle of sidewalks when the umpteenth cab driver we've tried to hail has taken one look at our adorable, amazingly well-behaved-in-cabs pups and sped off. Seeing this China Daily headline ("Taxi wants to serve your pets") got us all excited before we realized it was not a service available in Shanghai. The pet-centered cab service is run by......

Shanghai in hot debate over pets "The anti-pet brigade, angered over noise and mess from domestic cats and dogs, is lobbying the authorities for tougher restrictions on pet ownership, as the number of people keeping them without a license increases." FedEx plans new domestic China service "FedEx's domestic China service will flow from its hub at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in east China's Zhejiang province. ... Domestic carrier Okay Airways will provide air transportation,......

An unlinkable story from the South China Morning Post relays the chilling tale of Chongqing municipality's Wanzhou district, where the local government has ordered that all pet dogs be put to death because a resident died of rabies. Just when you think being a dog owner in China can't get any scarier ... The Wanzhou district government has issued a directive asking residents in the central city area to have their dogs put down before......

So, we're trying to get a license for our new dog. They don't make this process easy, of course. But why would they? It's not like our dog's life depends on it. Oh wait ... Red stamps. You have to get three of them, we think, before they will even consider your license application: from some kind of neighborhood committee, your local police station and then the main district police station. Then you get to......

We're not sure if we like weird news because it proves how normal we are or just because it proves that the real world is stranger than fiction and hence, not boring. Here's a run down of news items we've come across recently: From Weird Asia News: Would you rather pay 2,500 yuan for your dearly departed pet's tomb, or 20,000 yuan? The price depends on whether or not the plot is part of a......

With visions of sugar plum fairies dancing through their heads, the -Ists began to get into that holiday mood. Well, some did. Austinist wasn't as the NY Times dissed them and a local Tex-Mex institution sold out. Making them feel better was music, sweet music and the local theater getting name checked on "Heroes" Chicagoist tried to wrap their heads around a religious movie being banned from a Christmas themed park. To wash that down,......

If you're hiking, consider charging up your iPod, as Seattlest finds out that a man lost during a hike was found by the glow of his iPod. That cleverness seems to be devoid in cops who were using police cruiser instant messaging clients - although we imagine IMs "so are you nakie" to be included in cop shows, just for realism. If only the cops were busting the Hummer-driving jerk who made a poor parking......

Shanghaiist was horrified to find another story in the unlinkable South China Morning Post about another planned mass-slaughter of dogs in another part of China: Officials from Jining city in central Shandong province on Thursday said they would kill all dogs within five kilometres of villages where rabies was found, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The measures come in response to the deaths of 16 people in the city from rabies in the past......

Earlier this month, we briefly mentioned one local man's bizarre plan to host regular "dog matchmaking events" in Shanghai, aimed at pet owners who wanted to find the perfect breeding partner for their pet. The Shanghai Daily wrote the story in a playful, carefree manner -- and the people at the city's Second Chance Animal Aid non-profit organization were not amused. They have written a response letter to the newspaper, but it hasn't been published.......

By now most of you know that the reason you are working this weekend is not because of a wrathful God but because the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is having a big ol' conference in Pudong. However, because of various transportation, security and aesthetic concerns (yes, your silk pajamas) the government is implementing measures that are sure to be a nuisance and inconvenience to many. Here's what we've heard thus far: • A reader who......

The Christian Science Monitor reports on the growing phenomenon of "team shopping" in China: Welcome to China's newest shopping craze, tuangou, or team buying. By combining the power of the Internet to compare prices with the stealth tactics of the flash mob, team buyers are driving hard bargains in the world's hottest economy. Dozens of team-buying websites have sprung up to catch the trend, which first began in online forums and chat rooms. Most people......

Shanghaiist probably knows a little more about China than the Chicago Sun-Times. Giving them the benefit of the doubt on that one. The city does to have a music scene. Don't even front like they don't. They also have Dorito bananas. What they don't have is any more tolerance for jaywalkers. Bostonist sees Boston and Somerville each whip out their art and face off. A plagiarized novel is the gift that keeps giving, and Johnny......

For days, Shanghaiist has been thinking of new and creative ways to curse the high-heeled kitten killer, even though she made an insincere apology, our anger has not ceased. Because no laws against animal cruelty exist in China, the bitch got off scott free. So what happens next? What should we do if some idiot does this again? (Oh wait. It already has happened again. There is another series of captured images on the internet......

Shanghaiist just saw a bit of news (in Chinese) about some new laws designed to give stiffer penalties for "small disturbances". These laws cover four broad categories of disturbances. The first has to do with your lovely, cuddly pets. Before this law, which will be in effect March 1, disturbances or disputes caused by pets between neighbors would probably end up with a shouting match, cold stares, and a complaint to the neighborhood committee. Under......

Fireworks may be dangerous and all, but they sure do make for a wild, wild night. Here's hoping you all are recovering nicely and have a plan to enjoy today's unusually excellent weather. Some Chinese New Year links: Brad, of Shanghai Streets, has some really great fireworks photos from last night.Shanghai Diaries has a write-up about last night, some photos of the celebration and aftermath, and two video clips (here and here) taken right around......

There is a hot pot restaurant down near Shanghaiist's home, and every time we pass it we always frown at the dog hot pot poster on its front door. Not only don't we eat dog (not every Chinese person eats pooches) but also the news recently reported in Shanghai Daily just worried us too much. According to the story, thieves in the city have been stealing pet dogs and selling them to restaurants, especially during......

Shanghaiist is an animal lover who advocates any kind of animal aid activity in China. Which is why we were overjoyed to hear the news of a new stray animal shelter -- one of the city's biggest -- in Minhang District. The shelter offers a host of services: people can contact the centre to adopt stray dogs and cats or abandoned pets, there will be weekend adoption days, medical treatment will be administered to the......

Shanghaiist is in a fury. No, not because of the freezing weather, but because of a recent thread in a pet website we frequent. It seems that a sick, twisted Fudan University student adopted and tortured more than 20 kittens since September, according to an online bulletin board (in Chinese). The student, who went by the online monicker "YuhZLL," had been trolling the animal section of the Fudan University BBS looking for kittens to adopt.......