Pet economy purrs ahead as cat, pooch cafes spread

Booming economy

China's pet economy has been thriving with the rise of responsible ownership and pet-friendly services.

In the 1990s, international pet brands began entering the Chinese market when domestic brands were virtually nonexistent. After the year 2000, the number of pets in China surged, with pet owners focusing more on emotional companionship rather than just keeping pets for home security. This shift fueled the rapid growth of China's pet economy.

Seeing the potential of the emerging pet industry, Yan Jinsheng, a 47-year-old pet lover who hails from Tianjin and had previously worked in the automotive sector, shifted focus in 2013 to establish Favor Pets. The company, headquartered in Beijing's Tongzhou district, is a chain that offers pet services and products, including retail stores, grooming and training.

In recent years, China has experienced a booming pet economy, with domestic brands selling pet food, and a variety of pet supplies and pet healthcare goods rapidly expanding. Favor Pets is a prime example, as it currently operates over 2,000 stores in cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, Sichuan province.

Although dog attacks, animal abuse and abandonment still occasionally occur in China, there has been a marked rise in responsible pet ownership. Pet owners today are increasingly aware of their responsibilities — such as vaccinating their pets and obtaining pet licenses, Yan said.

"It used to be costly and inconvenient to get a pet license, but now it's much cheaper and easier, as you can apply at your local police station at a cost of only a few hundred yuan," he explained.

Lang Qingrui, head of Yituo pet studio in Beijing's Chaoyang District, has worked in the pet industry for eight years. He has noticed that more pet owners now use leashes while walking their dogs and train them to defecate at regular spots, thereby reducing distress in the surrounding community.