How to report, adopt stray dogs

Residents who come across a stray dog in Shenzhen can report it to a nearby subdistrict authority through the “Shenzhen dog-raising service (深圳养犬服务)” miniprogram on WeChat or call the 12319 hotline to report it the city’s urban management bureau.

Scan the QR code to access the miniprogram.

Users need to scan the QR code above to access the miniprogram or search the miniprogram “深圳市养犬服务” in Chinese on WeChat as the service is available only in Chinese at present. They can select “养犬服务 (dog-raising service)” to access the "咨询电话 (inquiry hotlines)" and find the phone number of the nearest subdistrict office. Through this miniprogram’s “养犬互动 (dog raisers' interactions)” section, users who lost a dog can post information to seek help to find the dog. Through the same section, users can also register to adopt a dog by selecting the “犬只领养 (dog adoption)” button.

The homepage of the miniprogram.

In addition to its online application for adoptions, the platform also publishes announcements about offline dog adoption events where residents can choose a dog on the spot for adoption. An adopter needs to go to a dog rescue center to complete the adoption process after the application is approved.

At present, Shenzhen’s district governments entrust qualified social organizations to take charge of dog rescue, and have set up five dog rescue centers such as the Longgang District Dog Rescue Center and the South China Stray Dog Rescue Center.

After a rescue center accepts a stray dog, it will usually notify the dog owner to claim the dog if the dog is identifiable. For dogs that cannot be identified, it will treat and neuter the dog first before preparing it for adoption if the dog’s condition allows.

The rescue centers call for residents who intend to own a dog to consider adoption as a priority.

Through the miniprogram, dog owners can also apply to microchip their dogs. In 2019, Shenzhen decided to microchip all registered dogs and officially started implanting free microchips in all registered dogs in 2020.

The move has helped residents find lost or stolen dogs, reduced the number of dumped dogs and helped to determine responsibility when disputes over dogs happened.

In November 2020, Shenzhen’s pet dog-raising regulations took effective, which stipulates that dog owners will be punished if found raising unchipped dogs. Shenzhen owned around 238,000 dogs by May 2023, according to official data.

How to report a stray dog 

Approach 1: Through the “深圳市养犬服务 (Shenzhen dog-raising service)” miniprogram

Step 1: Search the miniprogram “深圳市养犬服务 (Shenzhen dog-raising service)” in Chinese on WeChat or scan the QR code below. 

Step 2: Select "养犬服务 (dog-raising service)" on the bottom left, and access the "咨询电话 (inquiry hotlines)" section.

Step 3: Find the phone number of the nearest subdistrict office and make a phone call to report it. 

Approach 2: Hotline

Call 12319 to report it the city's urban management bureau.

How to adopt a dog

Step 1: Search the miniprogram “深圳市养犬服务 (Shenzhen dog-raising service)” in Chinese on WeChat or scan the QR code below. 

Step 2: Select “养犬互动 (dog raisers' interactions)” on the bottom center, and select the "犬只领养 (dog adoption)" section.

Step 3: Read the post and browse the information about the dogs to find one you like. Complete and submit the online application.   

Step 4: If there is no one you like, check the "公告 (Bulletin)" section for announcements about offline adoption events. 

How to post a lost dog notice

Step 1: Search the miniprogram “深圳市养犬服务 (Shenzhen dog-raising service)” in Chinese on WeChat or scan the QR code below. 

Step 2: Select “养犬互动 (dog raisers' interactions)” on the bottom center, and select the "寻犬发布 (lost dog bulletin)" section.

Step 3: Select the “发布寻犬 (write a notice)” button on the bottom right to write a description of the dog. Include the time, date, location, circumstance and any other information that might be helpful. Upload a photo of the dog before submitting, then submit the notice.