At least three months prior to departure, check the vaccination requirements of your destination country and the latest restrictions of China’s Entry-Exit Inspection & Quarantine Bureau (6 Tianshuiyuan Jie, Chaoyang, 010 6421 2748). Pets must undergo a brief health exam at the Beijing Ornamental Animal Hospital (7 Beisanshuan Zhonglu, 010 6204 9631) an official government facility. The exam must take place seven to 10 days before departure and costs at least ¥800. Once completed, you will be issued a Beijing International Companion Animal Health Inspection Form. From here, you need to go to the Entry-Exit Inspection & Quarantine Bureau. Bring the Beijing International Companion Animal Health Inspection Form, your pet’s ‘Red Vaccination Book’, and all other official documents with you. At the end of your visit, the bureau will hopefully issue your pet with an official Animal Health Certificate, valid for 14 days only. Export-A-Pet (+852 2358 1774, www.export-a-pet.com) and World Care Pets (010 6211 6185, www.worldcarepet.com) can help you and your pet prepare for the move home. Most of the international relocation companies also offer pet services.