Pet lovers worldwide are set for an unparalleled summer celebration as the 27th Pet Fair Asia returns to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from Aug 20 to 24.

This flagship global event for the pet industry will host over 2,600 domestic and international exhibitors spanning the pet food, healthcare, supplies, and services industries, as well as over half a million attendees.

The expo will see the debut of more than 2,000 pet products from around the world.

A landmark Asia Pet Fashion Week will feature 17 runway shows across the haute couture, luxury, and sportswear categories.

The "Genius Hub" zone will showcase revolutionary technologies such as the world’s first pet smartphone for video calls, companion robot dogs, and gourmet pet food processors.

Emerging designers from China's top lifestyle app Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, will present curated products at the "Start Up" zone, while the "Rainforest Realm" exhibit will feature exotic species including geckos, snakes, and sugar gliders.

Championship events span grooming, dog and cat competitions, and the debut of reptile and rabbit shows.

After sunset, a night market will merge vibrant stalls with a summer "paw-ty," complete with pet splash zones, agility challenges, and pop-up stores featuring trending merchants.

Outdoor concerts will transform lawns into live-music stages for owners and pets. Ahead of the expo, the fair will partner with Dianping, a popular online review platform, for a pet-friendly month in August.

This initiative will offer discounts at over 80 pet-friendly hotels, malls, and restaurants, alongside ticket giveaways and other promotions.

China's pet market exceeded 300 billion yuan ($41.89 billion) in 2024, up 5.5 percent year-on-year. Young consumers accounted for around 70 percent of the attendees at last year's fair.

Source: Shanghai Observer