Finding reliable, English-speaking veterinary care in Beijing is essential for expats who want clear communication, valid vaccination records, and fast emergency response.
This guide collects recommended clinics, municipal quarantine contacts, practical tips for traveling with pets, and 24/7 emergency options so you can act quickly when your pet needs care.
What this guide covers
- How to contact Beijing municipal animal quarantine and inspection authorities
- Recommended English-friendly clinics and addresses across Beijing
- Emergency and 24-hour services and when to use them
- Practical steps for common expat needs: rabies shots, microchipping, export paperwork and pet travel
- Useful links, sources and contact details for follow-up research
Beijing municipal quarantine and inspection contacts
Beijing’s Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (the municipal animal quarantine authority) handles official animal quarantine, inspection certificates, and export-related documentation.
They operate standard office hours and are the authority for export health certificates and inspection procedures in Beijing.
For official inspections, appointments and paperwork, contact them as your first step when preparing to move pets overseas or when an official quarantine certificate is required.
- Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau — office address: 2/F, 7 Beisanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District (300m west of Anhua Qiao).
- Typical hours: weekdays 08:30–11:30 and 13:30–16:00; confirm ahead for holiday closures and appointment rules.
If you are leaving China with a pet, start the export process well ahead of your departure date — some countries require tests and waiting periods that can take months.
Local international clinics, such as the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS), provide assistance and guidance on export procedures and can help you coordinate with quarantine authorities.
How to choose an expat-friendly clinic in Beijing
Look for specific markers when choosing a clinic:
- English-speaking staff or clear translation support for medical records and export paperwork.
- Presence of international-standard facilities, imaging (X-ray/US), and lab services for bloodwork and cultures.
- Official registration as an Animal Rabies Vaccination Clinic or equivalent government recognition for valid rabies certificates.
- Clear emergency protocols and after-hours arrangements; many clinics partner with 24-hour services for serious emergencies.
Large, reputable clinics in tier-1 cities like Beijing often have the best equipment and experience with foreign documentation and travel requirements.
Recommended clinics and addresses for expats
Below are widely referenced clinics known to serve expats or offer English-language services.
Always call ahead to confirm hours, services, language support and appointment availability.
For each entry I list the clinic name, a one-line summary, and address/phone when available.
| Clinic | Why expats use it | Address / Contact |
|---|---|---|
| International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) | Full-service, English-friendly, experienced with export paperwork and international cases | Kent Center, 29 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District phone listed on clinic website |
| Nongda Animal Hospital (China Agriculture University) | Well-equipped, emergency intake and widely recommended for serious cases foreign-language service available | North gate of China Agriculture University west campus, Yard 2, Yuanmingyuan Xilu, Haidian District phone listed on clinic website |
| Private international clinics and large animal hospitals in Chaoyang | Frequent expat choice for routine care and vaccinations due to English service and location convenience | Various addresses across Chaoyang and Dongcheng; confirm individually |
Sources: Expat Info Desk icvsasia.com ExpatDen.
Emergency and 24-hour services
Beijing does not have a single centralized publicly listed 24/7 veterinary hospital with consistent public directories; instead, a mix of private hospitals and emergency services handle after-hours care.
Many large clinics maintain an emergency contact or refer critical cases to dedicated emergency partners.
If your pet has a life-threatening condition (severe trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, collapse, difficulty breathing, poisoning or seizures), treat it as a medical emergency and get to the nearest clinic that accepts emergencies immediately.
- Vetshunter and local directories list emergency clinics and should be used to find nearest options in a crisis; however availability varies by district and may change, so save local emergency contacts in advance.
- If you rely on a regular clinic that does not offer 24/7 care, ask them for their emergency referral or on-call number for nights and weekends.
Step-by-step: what to do in a veterinary emergency
- Assess and stabilize: move pet to a safe, shaded, stable area; stop severe bleeding with clean cloth; keep the airway clear.
- Transport safely: use a carrier or blanket; avoid unnecessary movement if spinal injury is suspected.
- Call ahead: ring the nearest emergency clinic or your regular clinic’s after-hours number to alert them you’re coming and describe symptoms.
- Bring documentation: vaccination records, microchip details, and any medication names/doses, if available.
- Follow veterinary advice: emergency stabilization often requires fluids, oxygen, pain control and diagnostic imaging.
Vaccinations, rabies certificates and export paperwork
Expats often need reliable rabies vaccination records for travel or renewing local registrations.
Use clinics that are recognized as official vaccination clinics so certificates are valid for export and registration purposes.
When planning overseas travel, coordinate rabies vaccination, titers (if required by destination), microchip implantation and government inspection early — some destination countries require a 3–6 month window between tests and export depending on regulations.
- For export certificates and official inspection, the Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau is the government contact to finalize documentation and stamping.
- ICVS and similar international clinics can guide you through steps, testing windows and required forms for many countries and often assist with sampling, test submissions and translations.
Costs, payments and tips for expat pet owners
- Expect higher fees at international-standard clinics than small neighborhood offices; emergency care and diagnostic imaging increase costs significantly.
- Many reputable clinics accept cash and cards; check payment methods beforehand.
- Keep a digital copy and a physical copy of vaccination records, microchip information and recent lab results for quick access when traveling or in emergencies.
Language and communication tips
- Use WeChat to contact many Beijing clinics; clinics often provide phone numbers and WeChat accounts for appointments.
- If you’re not confident in Mandarin, ask for English-speaking vets or bring a bilingual friend. Many expats recommend joining WeChat pet groups to share clinic experiences and emergency recommendations.
Expat resources, communities and vet referrals
- Expat-focused sites and local expat community groups regularly post up-to-date clinic recommendations and first-hand emergency experiences and can be valuable when evaluating service quality Expat Info Desk.
- Online directories like Expat.com, Locator directories, and local Facebook/WeChat groups list clinics, but always confirm contact details and hours directly with the clinic before visiting Expat.com locator.hk.
Table: quick contacts at a glance
| Type | Contact / Notes |
|---|---|
| Municipal quarantine authority | Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau — 2/F, 7 Beisanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District; confirm hours and appointment rules. |
| Full-service international clinic | International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) — English services, export support; Kent Center, 29 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang. |
| University/large hospital | Nongda Animal Hospital — serves Haidian, emergency intake options; China Agriculture University area. |
| Emergency directories | Vetshunter and local emergency listings; Availability varies by district. |
Sources: Angloinfo Expat Info Desk icvsasia.com vetshunter.com.
Common scenarios and recommended actions
- Sudden collapse or severe trauma: treat as emergency, call ahead and go to the nearest clinic or emergency hospital.
- Suspected poisoning: if possible, bring packaging, estimate amount ingested, and get to emergency care immediately; clinics may perform decontamination and supportive care.
- Export planning: start 3–6 months before departure; coordinate rabies vaccination, titer tests (if required), microchip timing and municipal quarantine inspection appointments.
- Rabies vaccination or booster: use an officially recognized vaccination clinic to ensure documentation is accepted for pet registration and export.
How expat clinics help with travel and export
International clinics in Beijing (e.g., ICVS) routinely assist expats with export processes:
- Advising on country-specific requirements
- Timing serology and vaccinations
- Preparing paperwork, and liaising with quarantine authorities
They can help you avoid common problems like incorrectly timed tests or missing stamps that could delay travel.
Preventive care recommendations for expat pet owners
- Keep vaccinations up to date, including rabies, and maintain a digital and physical health record.
- Microchip your pet with an ISO-compatible chip if you plan to travel internationally; note the microchip number and scanner standard used.
- Maintain flea/tick prevention year-round as Beijing summers and outdoor areas can expose pets to parasites.
- Learn nearest emergency routes and save clinic numbers in your phone and WeChat.
Useful external links and resources
- International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS) — clinic site with export guidance and services icvsasia.com.
- Expat Info Desk — expat-focused guide to veterinary options across Beijing Expat Info Desk.
- Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau — official municipal quarantine contact for inspections and export certificates Angloinfo.
- Vetshunter and other emergency directories — listings for 24-hour and emergency veterinary services in Beijing region vetshunter.com.
- ExpatDen guide to finding reputable veterinary clinics in China — background on clinic quality indicators and what to look for ExpatDen.
Final checklist before a vet visit or export
- Verify clinic hours and language support; book an appointment when possible.
- Bring ID, vaccination records, microchip information and any existing medical history.
- For export: confirm test windows and municipal inspection appointment with Beijing quarantine authority.
- Save emergency contacts and after-hours numbers for quick access.
Sources
- Expat Info Desk — Veterinaries in Beijing guide Expat Info Desk.
- Expat.com — Beijing veterinary listings and community recommendations Expat.com.
- Locator / local vet directories — addresses and phone listings for Beijing clinics locator.hk.
- Angloinfo — Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau contact and hours Angloinfo.
- ICVS — export and exiting China with pets guidance icvsasia.com.
- Vetshunter — emergency and 24-hour clinic listings for Beijing region vetshunter.com.
- ExpatDen — how to find reputable veterinary clinics in China and what to look for ExpatDen.
Closing note
Keep this guide saved in your phone and share it with other expats.
Having vetted contacts, quarantine authority information, and emergency clinic numbers at hand can make all the difference when your pet needs timely care in Beijing.
About the Author
