Holder says the legislation, social attitudes and the legal precedents for the protection of animals took more than 80 years to become established in developed countries like the United States and Britain, while China is developing its own systems rapidly.

While Holder has witnessed positive changes in how Chinese people treat animals, he says expats need to consider carefully if they are in a position to own an animal.

He warns that foreigners wanting to own a pet in China should look past the "cute and cuddly factor" and plan for a 15-year commitment to the animal they plan to take on.

He says it is not in the best interests of an animal to be passed on to different owners because people discover that it is very hard and expensive to take an animal back to their home country.

"I tell people unless they have a substantial slush fund to consider very carefully owning an animal because it could cost at much as 10,000 yuan (US$1,463) to take a dog back to your home country," he says. "It will also have to spend a long time in a kennel in quarantine so you have to consider the breed, size and temperament of a dog and whether that is suited to your circumstances."

Holder has become personally involved in improving the plight of animals in Shanghai as the medical director of Second Chance Animal Aid Shanghai.

The organization is committed to protecting and improving the health and welfare of animals through education, health-care and advocacy. SCAA also aims to find stable long-term foster homes for animals as an alternative approach to traditional shelters.

As well as volunteering at the non-profit organization, Holder is a keen member of the Hairy Crabs rugby team, playing at fullback.

While admitting to not being as fleet-footed as when he arrived in Shanghai, Holder still plays up to two games most Saturdays. Along with anchoring the Hairy Crabs' backline, Holder is also occasionally called on for his professional expertise, particularly his suturing skills.

James Holder

Nationality: English

Age:34

Profession: Veterinary surgeon

Q&A

Description of self:

Honest, open, passionate.

Favorite place: The rugby pitch at the Shanghai Rugby Football Club.

Strangest sight:

A poodle painted in seven different colors. I have owned dogs all my life, but this is just bizarre.

Worse experience: Losing a patient that I couldn't save here but that I might have been able to save under different circumstances back home.

Motto for life: Every experience is good because you can learn from it.

How to improve Shanghai:

Animal health and welfare legislation. More tolerance, with people remembering that they are guests here, but a little more tolerance from everybody would be good.

Advice to newcomers:

Plan, plan, plan. Read as much as you can, talk to as many people as you can, find out as much about what Shanghai was and what it is becoming. And re-evaluate your expectations every three months because they change quickly.

(Shanghai Daily April 8, 2009)