Pets in Kaohsiung

Good to Know

• Cats and small dogs are consistently welcomed in Kaohsiung's cafés, restaurants, and public spaces, but larger dogs sometimes face more restrictions in apartment buildings or specific venues — always double-check with landlords or venue staff before assuming acceptance.
• If bringing a pet from a rabies-affected country (this includes the US, UK-adjacent regions in some classifications, and most of the world), start the rabies titer test at least 180 days before your planned arrival if you want to qualify for the newer no-facility-quarantine waiver — leaving this late is the most common reason pet owners get stuck with the older 7-day facility quarantine.
• Kaohsiung has its own APHIA airport branch, so pets can be legally imported directly through Kaohsiung International Airport rather than only through Taipei.
• Kaohsiung was the first city in Taiwan to ban dog and cat meat consumption (in 2015), which reflects a broader, longstanding local culture of animal protection that predates the national law.
• Always use the official APHIA online e-permit system and double-check the very latest timing windows directly with APHIA before booking flights — the exemption/waiver rules have been updated multiple times in recent years and third-party relocation-company blogs are not always current.
• Kaohsiung's main dog park is inside Zhongzheng Park in Lingya District, a short walk from Weiwuying MRT Station — it has separate zones for large and small dogs, which is worth knowing if you have a nervous or small dog.
• Bring your own drinking water and a towel to the dog park — reviewers note the on-site cleaning taps are handy but you may still want to rinse/dry your dog properly at home afterward.
• Always call ahead to confirm a clinic's current hours and whether an English-speaking vet is on staff — many smaller Kaohsiung clinics are Mandarin-only.
• We could not confirm any beach in Kaohsiung that explicitly permits dogs — if beach time with your dog matters to you, this is worth double-checking directly with venue staff or checking recent local Facebook pet groups before you go.
• Typical vet cost figures above are general Taiwan market estimates, not hospital-specific price lists — always ask for a quote before treatment since spay/neuter and dental pricing especially can vary a lot by animal size and clinic.