Every dog has its day - but it's not often man's best friend emigrates for a new life in United States.

This morning saw 30 VIP - very important pets - jet off from Beijing's Capital International Airport for a new start.

The dogs are the first to leave China as part of an international pet adoption program. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has stepped in to relieve overcrowding at the Beijing Human and Animal Environmental Education Center (BHAEEC).

The animals will arrive in Port Washington, New York, on Wednesday and then be moved to the IFAW's partner organization, the North Shore Animal League America (NSALA), for adoption.

The dogs, of all breeds and aged between 1 and 8 years, exceed Beijing's 35-centimeter height restriction, or are of the 41 breeds banned under Beijing law.

Some are merely seen as too common by the capital's snobbish dog owners who prefer small, manageable breeds such as chihuahuas.

The largest emigre, a German shepherd named Di Ke, is about 80 centimeters tall when sitting. He was left to fend for himself after being turned out on to the streets.

All the dogs have been vaccinated for all major canine diseases, know how to mind their ps and qs thanks to sessions with a behaviouralist, and have had embedded a microchip for identification.

IFAW Emergency Relief Manager Ian Robinson, said the United States was chosen because of the partnership between IFAW and NSALA, looser restrictions on importing animals and lower flight costs.

He also said NSALA is known for expedient adoptions. The organization finds homes for more than 26,000 animals a year.

Compared with NSALA, which keeps a record of finding homes for 500 dogs and cats a day, BHAEEC can only re-place one animal a week, said Zhang Luping, head of the centre.

IFAW is lobbying authorities to replace the breed ban and size restrictions.

(China Daily May 24, 2005)