Shanghai Daily news

The Shanghai Pet Association is putting together a set of regulations for its members to regulate veterinary services in an attempt to deal with the rising number medical disputes between pet owners and animal hospitals in the city.
The non-governmental industry regulator also says it will set up a mediation agency to deal with disputes.
The association also plans to set up a mediation committee made up of pet and veterinary experts to offer consultation to pet owners and animal hospitals involved in medial disputes in the future.
"Hopefully, the mediation agency and the industry rules will be established by the end of year. There's much to be done including calling on our members to agree to accept the rules," said an official with Shanghai Pet Association, who asked not to be identified.
The pet association, which was set up last April, currently has 70 members, including licensed pet hospitals, salons and pet stores.
"Our rules can only regulate our members and they have no power in terms of the law. Besides, both the rules and the mediation agency only cover our licensed members. We had no power or responsibility to regulate the countless unlicensed pet service stores in town," said the official.
China's criminal laws don't cover malpractice by veterinarians and any disputes between pet owners and animal hospitals are currently dealt with through lawsuits. Suits are tough for pet owners to win, however, as it is extremely difficult to prove malpractice or to provide evidence of the animal's condition prior to treatment.
The association says it doesn't know how many such disputes have arisen in the city, as there are more unlicensed clinics than licensed facilities offering veterinary services.
There were only about 60 licensed pet hospitals in the city by the end of last year, according to Shanghai Institute of Veterinary Hygienic Supervision.
"We can only advise pet owners to always remember to check the two business licenses as well as the qualification certificate at the vets before allowing anyone to treat their pets," said an official, surnamed Qu, with the institute.
"That would be safer for the pets, and owners will have their rights better protected in the event of a dispute," Qu said.
Last summer, a local woman sued a pet hospital after her cat mysteriously died following an operation at a pet hospital in Xuhui District.
The woman demanded 5,000 yuan (US$621) in compensation from the store and the court finally recommended experts from the association provide mediation.
The store finally agreed to pay the woman 1,000 yuan in compensation.
Despite that agreement, the pet store maintains it was innocent in the death of the cat.