Adopting a pet in Vietnam

I have two cats. They are the best They are vaccinated and neutered. They used to be abandoned kittens, my gf and I decided to adopt them, AMA

Adopted a female kitten that literally came out of the gutter when we lived in KL. Took her with us to Saigon. Adopted another female kitten that clung to my partner's legs at the ATM in D7, and then a Maltese male dog from ARC Pet in D2. We could take him home for a week to see if it would work. Disaster in the first five minutes, terrorised the cats and barked incessantly at ghosts and what have you. I coud see why he had been abandoned in the first place. But my partner thought he was sweet so we're stuck with the rotten mutt.

Took the three pets with us when we moved back to Melbourne a few months ago. US$30k all-up plus three months for vaccinations, blood tests, quarantine etc. Ouch! I grew up in several Asian and African countries and we always had pets but never took them with us when my dad got transferred. Always gave them to other expats. But my partner thinks they're going to end up on dinner plates in VN and adheres to the "pet is for life" principle.

So, now we're in a far smaller house in Australia, with the door shut between the back of the house (dog) and the front (cats). The cats are limited to indoors because of community concerns about threats to local birds and other wildlife, while the dog has to get walked a few times a day to minimise his peeing and pooing in the living room.

First-world problems...

Gosh, I really admire folks who take it upon themselves to adopt animals, especially when the adoption process takes place while living and working abroad.

As it happens, I came across an organisation last month called PPaws in Phnom Penh, Cambodia that allows foreign teachers to adopt a cat or a dog for the period they're living and working in Cambodia. When the time comes to move on, I understand that a good percentage of folks take their adopted pet with them, but for those people who are unable to do this, it comforting to know that the animal can be returned to PPaws without explanation. It's a 'win-win'. I am unsure if there is a similar programme in Vietnam. Perhaps someone on this site will know.

To those really decent people who adopt animals while living and working abroad, I take my hat off to you.

Peter Goudge
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Hey ,
Sorry I don’t know anything about that.
I love doggie.....but have no time to take care . You can check it on google .

Easy when you are here. The only problem is to get it out and depending what country more than others.

Hi everyone
                Meet "the cat lady" of Hanoi...me!
One of the vets that I regularly take cats and dogs to refers to me as as the crazy cat lady
I have been in Hanoi for over 14 years, and I got a cat the first month I arrived...or rather, I guess I could say that he got me...that seems to be the way it works with me...they just find me.
I still have the lovely ginger tabby (named Leon), and at the ripe old age of 14 he is still hanging in there despite kidney issues and skin issues. These days he has become Master of the space heater
Many cats have either found me here at my home, or have been thrust at me (knowing that I can't say no to a cat in need), and I have been lucky enough to be able to re-home them all!

I have rescued a few dogs from a nasty neighbor and re-homed them, and have fostered another few dogs and re-homed them. I volunteer with an organisation called Hanoi Pet Adoption, which is run by an amazing small group of dedicated (mostly) volunteers who spend hours of their own time rescuing cats and dogs (and the odd chicken or pig) off the streets, bring them to the shelter to rehabilitate them, and then the hard part: re-home them, either by having them adopted, or fostered.
So...it IS possible to adopt/own a pet here in Hanoi...yes, absolutely!

Nowadays, there are plenty of veterinary clinics, and more than plenty shops that sell pet products...certainly a world of difference from when I first came here!

There is a problem with pets being stolen in Hanoi, so if you do get a pet...please please please be very careful and keep your cats indoors and your dogs on a lead. Be vigilant, keep your eyes on your dog at all times...it only takes half a second for someone on a motorbike to swoop down and grab your dog.

There are lots of pet shops selling cats and dogs, and more and more breeders are getting in on the pet market, but the best thing you can do is...
ADOPT...DON'T SHOP!!!

***

Ciao for now,

Viola

violachiasson wrote:

...I have rescued a few dogs from a nasty neighbor and re-homed them...

...There is a problem with pets being stolen in Hanoi, so if you do get a pet...please please please be very careful and keep your cats indoors and your dogs on a lead. Be vigilant, keep your eyes on your dog at all times...it only takes half a second for someone on a motorbike to swoop down and grab your dog.

Perhaps you could expand on exactly what you mean by "rescued a few dogs from a nasty neighbor"?

The nasty neighbor just gave the dogs to you?

If not, it sounds as if you MIGHT be one of those pet thieves you mentioned.

I'm sure you'll clarify your statement and we will be able to see that you aren't the dog-napping lady...

😉

yikes! no no no no...
I used to talk to their dogs through the gate, and occasionally (VERRRRY occasionally) the dogs were allowed out of their too small cages to run around their huge courtyard, and I would pet the dogs under the gate, or sometimes sneak them some good dog crunchies or eggs or dog food, 'cause they were being (under)fed mostly rice
On day (in both cases), no response from the dog, and traces of diarrhea and vomit in the courtyard, so I knocked (forcefully) on their gate and asked (through a friend interpreting in Vietnamese) for them to let me take the dog to get medical help. I had to pay them 500,000 dong each time to take the dog away, but I got them medical help in time to save them from the deadly parvo virus.

You can adopt me, I'm always welcome 

Haha I hope you are house trained 😜

Good to see a Cat friendly person. All my previous cats have been rescues, or simply moved in. Oddly enough all of them black 🤔

Sadly since moving to HCM, landlord won't allow pets so have to get my feline fix attempting to stroke any cat on the street.

No pet at the momet, not sure if the landlord would like it or not

Im 100% a cat person. I grew up with big dogs, but for me a cat is a much better option.
I try to stroke every cat we come across here... most shy away, bjt the odd one of two is brave enough and then they seem to love fuss and attention.

Jlgarbutt wrote:

No pet at the momet, not sure if the landlord would like it or not

Im 100% a cat person. I grew up with big dogs, but for me a cat is a much better option.
I try to stroke every cat we come across here... most shy away, bjt the odd one of two is brave enough and then they seem to love fuss and attention.

I would love to have a pet around, Cat or Dog, but in HCM it just isn't practical.