Young entrepreneurs create unique spaces for pets

CGTN's "Creating New Consumption" series follows how young Chinese entrepreneurs are turning "small businesses" into "big consumption" with their innovative thinking.

This episode zooms in on China's $42 billion pet economy. Reporter Wu Yunliu takes us to Chengdu, one of the most pet-friendly cities in China. By 2024, the number of pet cats and dogs in China surpassed 120 million. Behind this growth is a generational shift, where Gen Z views pets as family members.

From "non-human pet" restaurants to 24/7 "pet kindergartens," young entrepreneurs are using humanized services to redefine the boundaries of consumerism. Pet care has evolved from basic survival needs to a full "emotional infrastructure" that includes education, socializing and healthcare. As the human-pet bond is redefined, the pet economy's blue ocean extends beyond just consumption upgrades – it points to a social support system with increasing care for life beyond humans.