While Hoi An offers a truly idyllic lifestyle, one downside is the pet thievery. Vietnam has always enjoyed dog on its menu, particularly in the North, so stories of pet dogs being stolen for the dog meat trade have not been unusual. However, a recent upsurge in the popularity of cat meat has seen cat thieves audaciously hitting the streets in search for cats as well.
Pet thieves don’t care that the animal belongs to someone. They will even watch your house for opportunities to get at your pet. If you have a dog or a cat, you need to be vigilant and make sure your pet is either kept in or closely monitored when out. But, if you have a beloved pet you want to bring to Hoi An, don’t think twice. With caution everything is fine.
Vets in Hoi An and Da Nang
Hoi An Vet Clinic
u003cimg class=u0022alignright size-medium wp-image-82904u0022 src=u0022https://wordpress-354352-1099865.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/24852338_1799037130137977_4660660725205612282_n-600×551.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022600u0022 height=u0022551u0022 /u003e
Mr Quang Veterinary Clinic
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Da Nang Veterinary Hospital
Veterinary HospitalDr Hung is an official government vet who runs his own practice. Although based in Da Nang, Dr Hung was brought to our attention as a ‘must-go-to-vet’ by one of Hoi An’s long term expats.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrn“He runs a clean, professional service, can perform ultrasounds and blood testing on the spot and is also able to micro chip animals and provide all official paperwork for an animal passport. His wife and assistant do not speak English, but his English is good; best to message and arrange an appointment with him” – Kate Gerrard
Pet Stores in Hoi An
Nguyen Thanh Quang Pet Shop
u003cimg class=u0022alignright size-full wp-image-32226u0022 src=u0022https://wordpress-354352-1099865.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Nguyen-Thanh-Quang-Pet-Shop_opt-3-e1590132864262.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Nguyen Thanh Quang Pet Shop. Accessories 2u0022 width=u0022399u0022 height=u0022359u0022 /u003eStocking food, litter, medicines, flea and worming treatments. The pet shop is run by Mr Khanh, the brother of Mr Quang the local vet. Their pet supplies are very reasonably priced (as evidenced by the Vietnamese customers) and they can do home deliveries.
Cua Hang Thu Cung
u003cimg class=u0022alignright size-medium wp-image-14106u0022 src=u0022https://wordpress-354352-1099865.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Hoi-An-Pet-Shop-Hoi-An-Vietnam-3-300×200.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Hoi An Pets, Hoi An vets, Hoi An pet shops, Hoi An stray animalsu0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022200u0022 /u003eu003cimg class=u0022alignright size-medium wp-image-14108u0022 src=u0022https://wordpress-354352-1099865.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Hoi-An-Pet-Shop-Hoi-An-Vietnam-dog-bowls-300×200.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Hoi An Pets, Hoi An vets, Hoi An pet shops, Hoi An stray animalsu0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022200u0022 /u003eThe first pet store in Hoi An, Cua Hang Thu Cung is reasonably priced and has everything your pet could need from basic medicines, toys, food and toilet trays to carry cases, leads, treats and more.
Cun Yeu Shop
u003cimg class=u0022alignright size-medium wp-image-63323u0022 src=u0022https://wordpress-354352-1099865.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Cun-Yeu-Pet-Shop-Hoi-An-600×400.jpgu0022 alt=u0022Cun Yeu Shop Hoi An picture of a pet storeu0022 width=u0022600u0022 height=u0022400u0022 /u003eNewly opened Cun Yeu Pet Shop is the largest pet store in Hoi An. Part of a large chain, it stocks a huge amount of pet supplies from outfits, treats, cages, toys and food for a variety of animals including cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters and – wait for it – hedgehogs! You’ll find three other stores in Da Nang and one in Hue. Prices here are slightly higher than the other two Hoi An pet stores.
You can also buy dog & cat food, kitty litter and basic necessities at the following stores: AP Mart, A-Mart, 9 Mart
Animal Shelters
Vietnam Cat Welfare
A registered u003cstrongu003echarityu003c/strongu003e in the UK, u003cstrongu003eu003cemu003eVietnam Cat Welfareu003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003e, is home to around 60 cats (with numbers increasing each month).rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnRun by Emma Bolton and her husband Phong Nguyen, many of the cats have been rescued from the streets. Some were kittens as young as two weeks, starving and sick; others were injured, abused or rescued from cat snatcher traps.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnWithout their current protection almost all these cats would have fallen prey to cat thieves and met unimaginably barbaric deaths.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cemu003eVietnamu003c/emu003e u003cemu003eCat Welfareu003c/emu003e also works tirelessly to change attitudes by promoting education programs on sterilization, vaccination and general care for cats and animal rights in Vietnam. They are also indefatigable campaigners against the cat and dog meat trade in Vietnam.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnSupport them if you can, every small amount counts in the upkeep of the cats and the fight for change. Visit their Donation Page on Facebook.
Paws for Compassion
Paws for Compassion is an NGO aimed at improving the welfare of animals by combating animal cruelty and pet overpopulation. It was founded in 2015, in Da Nang, by Lexie Gray and Domenique Terry – two animal enthusiasts and educators, who saw the need for change in the region.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003cstrongu003eWhat do they do?u003c/strongu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eYou can give them strays (dogs and cats) and they will provide them with a temporary safe shelter for the purpose of finding forever homes. If needed, they will also provide rehabilitation services and medical treatment. If you are a vet, you can volunteer your skills for them.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eYou can sponsor and/or adopt strays from them. The application form for sponsor/adoption is on their website and they constantly post about pets up for adoption on their Facebook page.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eThey run educational programmes aimed at informing individuals about the animal cruelty that is taking place within their communities, and educating them about animal welfare. If you have any interest in running one of their educational programmes, you can volunteer your teaching skills.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
Pet Grooming
Mr Quang Veterinary Clinic
Veterinary ClicMr Quang doesn’t do the grooming himself, but his assistant does. Recommended by expats.
Pet City
Pet StoreMicrochipping
A microchip is a small electronic chip which contains a unique ID number. It is implanted under the dog’s skin and can be read by a scanner.
Microchipping will prove useful only if the stray happens to be found by a well-intentioned person. This is obviously quite unlikely in the case of theft.
Hoi An Vet Clinic
ClinicDa Nang Veterinary Clinic
Veterinary ClinicAsk of Dr Hung. He is highly recommended by lots of expat.
Da Nang Pet Veterinary Hospital
Veterinary Hospital
Where to Adopt a Pet
If you are looking for a kitten or cat go straight to Jack’s Cat Cafe (Vietnam Cat Welfare) they have many kittens that need adopting. They also need foster carers for their animals.
You will also find dogs and cats that need homes through Da Nang based, Paws for Compassion.
Tel: +84 (0) 90 571 69 37
Pet Sitting
If you plan to go away for holidays and you can’t bring your pet with you, it is important that you get someone to look after it. One option is to register an account with Trusted Housesitters, an online platform aimed at connecting pet owners with care-orientated sitters who will look after your pets for free in exchange for a place to stay.
If a stray is found to have a microchip, the local authority or the local vet can find the owner’s details by contacting the national 24 hour database, where such details had been previously uploaded. Here we list three places where you can get the procedure done to your pet.
If Your Pet Goes Missing
In the unfortunate event that your pet goes missing, here we provide some information about the steps that you may take for increasing your chances to get it back.
Tip: many expats who have had their pets stolen have been watched first. Thieves watch your movements to see which pets you have, and when it is a good time to pounce. If you have a front fencing, a good idea would be to buy cheap boards to cover it. Such boards can be bought by meter, two or three doors down from the Blue Dragon restaurant in 46 Bach Dang street, Hoi An.
Facebook Pages
If you have a pet, join the following Facebook groups. Here you will be able to upload an announcement about your missing pet, so that your neighbours can help you find it. You will also find tips about how best to protect your pet’s welfare and reviews of different vets and clinics in the area.
- Dog and Cat theft in Hoi An and Danang area
- Dogs owners in Da Nang & Hoi An (need to sign in)
- Hoi an Expats – no property (need to sign in)
Holding Places
Here’s a list of potential pet-holding places in Hoi An and Da Nang, including markets, restaurants that sell dog meat and pet stores.
Hoi An
- Food stall in 51a ly Thai To
- Back of Ba Le Market (dogs are often sold and traded here)
- Small Thit Cay (Dog Meat) place on street 28-3 in Thanh Ha
- Behind Ba Le Market on the corner of Tran Binh Tong and Do Dang Tuyen.
Da Nang
- Food stall Thanh Quang in 156 Hoàng Diệu (specialises in dog meat purchasing)
- Meat shops in Trưng Nữ Vương street
- 191 Nguyễn Tri Phương Street
- Nhật Tân- in the area of Sơn Hòa Châu
- 115 Phạm Ngọc Thạch.
- 3 dog meat stalls in Nguyễn Đình Tựu street, parallel to Huỳnh Ngọc Huệ street.
- Đầm Rong 2 street, next to the Đống Đa market
- 109 Ly Tu Trong (pet store)
- 167 Phan Thanh (pet store)
- 33 Tien Son 11 (pet store)
- 141 du’o’ng Tri Trach (pet store)
We do our utmost to keep this list up to date but new holding places can arise that we are not aware of. Always check the Dog and Cat theft in Hoi An and Danang area Face Book page (the list in at the top right). This list may not be all-encompassing. If you wish to look for more markets or restaurants that sell dog meat, keep these words in mind: Tiểu Hổ (which literally means ‘small tigers’), Thịt Cay (Dog Meat) or Cay Tơ (Young Dog)
Moving Your Pet Internationally
Many people adopt pets in Hoi An and want to take them back to their country of origin when they leave. Alternatively, people coming with pets to Hoi An from another country want to know the procedures for bringing them in. For all the information you need, follow this link:
https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/vietnam.cfm
Need a house that accepts pets? Check out our guide to finding accommodation.
Not sure how much your stay in Hoi An is going to cost? Check out our cost of living guide.
